Top 50 Best Things to Do near Lvliang [2026]

Xiaoxitian (Thousand Buddha Temple) is nestled atop a mountain, small yet breathtaking. The main hall houses nearly 2,000 Ming Dynasty suspended sculptures, densely packed and resplendent in gold, stretching from the beams to the walls, creating an immersive Buddhist world. The sculptures are incredibly lifelike, their colors remaining vibrant even after four centuries, truly a masterpiece of suspended sculpture. Every inch reveals the artistry, possessing immense artistic value; a less-visited but must-see.

I can only express my amazement. This is magnificent, colorful, and intricately luxurious. It is unlike any temple visit I have ever made. It is so simple that it dazzles the eyes. There is not an inch of empty space. The style and craftsmanship are breathtaking!

Stepping through the heavy gates, one truly grasps the awe-inspiring grandeur of the Wang Family Compound. Three centuries of history have etched its essence into the multi-story buildings built against the mountainside, their imposing presence resembling a city, understated yet exuding the grandeur of a distinguished family. Brick, wood, and stone carvings are brimming with auspiciousness and craftsmanship; window lattices reflect the clouds, corridors echo with the wind—every step feels like an encounter with bygone eras. Climbing to a high vantage point, one sees endless gray-tiled roofs and distant mountains shrouded in mist; the vision and spirit of Shanxi merchants are encapsulated in this very place. Without excessive clamor, only the serene passage of time remains. Having visited, one will understand what truly defines the premier residence of Chinese folk architecture.

The Wang family matriarch personally welcomed the distinguished guests and had them visit her home, which was quite immersive. The Wang Family Compound has so many architectural and decorative details and is so intricate that without a guide, you would really miss the essence. There was also a surprise bonus at the end. It was a very enjoyable experience!

Amazing to see the statues, quite impressive and detailed work. The temple is really calm and tranquil to walk around

Shuanglin Temple is a must-see! An artistic treasure, absolutely breathtaking! 1. Very close to Pingyao Ancient City, about a 10-minute drive. 2. Its core feature is its painted clay sculptures, hailed as the "Treasure House of Oriental Painted Clay Sculpture Art." There are 1566 well-preserved painted clay sculptures, out of a total of over 2000, accounting for nearly 1/6 of the total number of existing painted clay sculptures in Shanxi Province. 3. Primarily from the Ming Dynasty, with some works from the Song, Yuan, and Qing Dynasties. 4. Weituo Statue (Thousand Buddha Hall): "The best Weituo statue in the country," its body twists in an S-shape, combining strength and grace, a perfect blend of dynamism and balance. 5. Free and Easy Guanyin (Thousand Buddha Hall): A seated posture with the right leg bent and the left foot lightly resting, leaning back, exuding a relaxed and carefree air, full of life. 6. The temple grounds contain ancient Tang Dynasty locust trees.

Zhangbi Ancient Castle is one of China's top ten charming towns, alongside Wuzhen in Zhejiang, Tongli in Jiangsu, and Heshun in Yunnan. The popular TV show "Where Are We Going, Dad?" was also filmed here. Here, there are no verdant mountains and clear waters, no black-tiled roofs and white walls; yellow earth is its base, perfectly blending with the earth's surface. The most distinctive feature of Zhangbi Ancient Castle is its well-preserved military tunnels. Entering this three-dimensional network of tunnels, you'll find yourself on another level before you know it, and when you reappear in the light, you've reached the other side of the village. The castle's construction echoes the constellations, earning it the title of "China's First Village of Constellations." The peacock-blue glazed stele under the front porch of the Kongwang Buddha Palace is a rare treasure, and the Ming Dynasty glazed decorations on the temple roof remain beautiful to this day. After visiting Zhangbi Ancient Castle, we had lunch at the Fumanyuan Restaurant near the scenic area entrance. The restaurant was incredibly crowded; we later learned that someone was holding an engagement banquet, and we almost ended up attending a Shanxi banquet! After lunch, we rested for a while, then leisurely drove towards Qikou Ancient Town. Qi refers to the sand and gravel in shallow water. The Yellow River flows south along the border of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces, where boats encounter obstacles. Goods transported from upstream are unloaded and transshipped here, giving rise to the ancient town of Qikou. After seeing Hukou Waterfall, the Yellow River at Qikou Ancient Town is so calm that it makes one wonder if this is still the Yellow River of my memories. That night, we stayed in a cave dwelling, an experience I had never had before. Qikou Ancient Town has only two main roads: the dusty Yellow River Highway and the relatively quiet Ming and Qing Dynasty Street. The Black Dragon Temple stands on a hillside at a bend, offering a superb vantage point overlooking the southward flow of the Yellow River and the ancient town itself. As evening approached, the number of tourists gradually decreased, and there was virtually no nightlife. We ate dinner and returned to our cave dwelling—the earliest we had gone to bed during our trip.

The military castle is laid out according to the constellations in the sky. It has a temple, ancient alleys, and a three-level underground tunnel that stretches for 10,000 meters. About 1,500 meters of the tunnel is open to the public. It is cool and interesting inside. There is also a glass museum. It is quite nice!

If the overall management of Pingyao Ancient City weren't so chaotic, it would actually be worth a visit. Taking a leisurely stroll through the ancient city and seeing some of the classic sights is quite enjoyable.

I walked for six hours and visited all the attractions I passed. Although it was quite commercialized, the trip was very fulfilling. The underground vault was truly amazing. The street scenes during the day and at night each had their own unique charm and were very beautiful!

It's totally worth it! Mianshan Scenic Area is absolutely not to be missed. As a national 5A-level scenic area, it is not only the birthplace of the Qingming Festival (Hanshi Festival) in China, but also renowned for its "uniqueness, danger, and beauty," and is hailed as a "fairyland on the cliff." The scenic area is very large, with many attractions scattered around, so you must take the scenic shuttle bus.

I felt the overall attraction was rather disorganized, especially the cable car, which was incredibly slow. And once you get to the top, the only thing you see is a wooden plank with a ring for pushing, and the murals on the wall are definitely not worth it. Also, during the off-season, there are very few tour buses. There's no way to wait, so you have to walk down yourself. However, the Daluo Palace is still very impressive.

The Wanfo Hall, the only remaining wooden structure from the Five Dynasties period in China, along with the only Five Dynasties temple and monastery painted sculptures in the country, is hailed as the "First National Treasure of Five Dynasties Wooden Structures in China," and is considered one of the "Three Treasures of Pingyao" along with Pingyao Ancient City and Shuanglin Temple. It's about a 20-minute drive from Pingyao Ancient City, located in a village. 1. The temple is very small. The guided tour at the entrance (50 yuan) is completely overpriced; it's like a lifeless, fast-paced machine reading aloud, barely engaging my reading. 2. Its main appeal lies in its age; its artistic impact is not as strong as Shuanglin Temple. 3. Wanfo Hall (Five Dynasties, Northern Han): It perfectly preserves the grand and imposing style of Tang Dynasty architecture, using pure mortise and tenon joints. 4. The 11 painted sculptures inside Wanfo Hall are original works from the Five Dynasties period (the only one of its kind in any temple or monastery in China), making it the only surviving group of Five Dynasties painted sculptures besides the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang.

At the Wanfo Hall of Zhenguo Temple, I witnessed the legendary "Five Dynasties Time". Those painted sculptures stand quietly here, their wooden and clay bodies cracked and mottled, yet they embody a thousand years of time.

It's definitely worth a visit, and you can even bring your dog. It's very convenient to drive right to the entrance! When the mountains and rivers of the geography unfold before your eyes, the sheer vastness and magnificence you feel is truly breathtaking!

The Yanchuan Yellow River Qiankun Bay Scenic Area is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction built around the Yellow River. The river meanders majestically within the park, and Qiankun Bay itself, with its unique grandeur and scenery, was named one of China's ten most beautiful canyons by *China Geography Magazine*. The Yellow River, flowing for millennia, uniquely forms the "First Bend of the Yellow River"—Qiankun Bay—with a magnificent 320-degree arc within the Qin-Jin Grand Canyon of Yanchuan, Shaanxi. Here, the Yellow River changes its turbulent course, meandering like a dragon, perfectly blending the grandeur of the Loess Plateau with the philosophical concept of Yin and Yang, forming a naturally formed "Tai Chi diagram."

Carved into the cliff face for millennia, the pine breeze whispers through the ancient mountain. The beauty of Tianlong Mountain lies hidden deep within its verdant slopes, nestled in the lowered gaze of the Buddha statues. There are no crowds, only stone steps, ancient cypress trees, and statues that seem to converse with time. The colossal Buddha at Manshan Pavilion overlooks the bustling world; the returning Buddha head tells tales of centuries of vicissitudes. The winding mountain road, like a dragon lying amidst the clouds, offers breathtaking views of lush greenery, with the whispers of history carried on the wind. This is a mountain that needs to be experienced slowly; the stones possess a soul, the Buddhas a spirit, and the wind a story. A single visit will leave you with unforgettable memories.

The Tianlongshan Grottoes are excellent, fully showcasing the sculptural art of the Northern Qi and Tang dynasties. They can be visited alongside the Xiangtangshan Grottoes for mutual reference. If driving, it's recommended to navigate directly to the Grottoes Museum. This route also passes the popular spiral road bridge. Park your car at the museum; the bus stop is right next to it. Take the bus (4 yuan per ride) back to Longmen Station, then begin your descent from the mountain. Finally, you can return directly to the museum to retrieve your car and head home. Note that the route involves crossing several spiral road bridges and overpasses on both the ascent and descent; the road is steep, so those with poor driving skills should not attempt it.

Qiao's compound is the house of Qiao Zhiyong, a famous Jin merchant in the Qing Dynasty. Here, I explore the history of Qiao's business empire from "going west" to "goods and goods in the world". It is worth seeing.

"The imperial family has the Forbidden City, while ordinary people look to the Qiao Family Compound"—this saying truly lives up to its reputation! Stepping into the Qiao Family Compound, one is instantly awestruck by the magnificent grandeur of this castle-like architectural complex. The blue bricks and gray tiles, the flying eaves and brackets, and the high-hanging red lanterns create a picturesque scene at every turn, brimming with the ancient charm of Shanxi merchants.