Things to do in Changzhi

The scenery is unique, with rugged and steep mountains that appear majestic and imposing from afar, and sheer cliffs up close. The water is crystal clear, or deep and dark green, teeming with fish of all sizes, adding to the charm. The trees are lush, and wildflowers and grasses are everywhere. It's definitely worth a visit and deserves its 5A rating.

Part of the representative canyons of the Southern Taihang Mountains, it boasts both the grandeur of towering red cliffs and the charm of Peach Blossom Valley with its streams, pools, and waterfalls, offering a perfect blend of mountains and water. The Peach Blossom Valley trails are gentle and shady, making it cool in summer and ideal for leisurely walks with middle school students. The Taihang Sky Road, situated on a cliff ridge, offers expansive views overlooking the surrounding mountains, perfect for taking photos. Wangxiangyan is known for its thrilling mountain climbing, with its towering ladders and cliffside walkways, suitable for those who enjoy hiking and adventure. In short: it's well worth the trip for the natural beauty of the Taihang Mountains; the scenery alone justifies the price. However, it gets very crowded during peak season, so don't expect a smooth and hassle-free experience. A leisurely two-day trip is recommended, and it's a great option to combine it with the Red Flag Canal and Guoliang Village on a Southern Taihang loop tour.

This is a really nice canyon, not very famous, so it's not too crowded, but the facilities are excellent. The combination of a cliffside elevator, cable car, and sightseeing bus makes it very convenient to explore. The scenery is also fantastic and breathtaking. Highly recommended. It's suitable for seniors and children. There isn't much climbing involved; there is a section with a long flight of stairs, so allow plenty of time to walk at your own pace. There are plenty of places to eat and drink within the park, which is very convenient.

Tongtian Gorge is so beautiful! It has clear, green lakes, mountain springs and waterfalls along the way, and towering cliffs on both sides. The scenery is breathtaking and comparable to Baquan Gorge. The key is that it is much less crowded than Baquan Gorge, making the visit much more comfortable!

Hidden Gems of Southern Taihang Mountains | Lingchuan Natural Stone Gate: The World's First Stone Gate Carved by Nature ✨ Nestled in the valleys of Lingchuan, Jincheng, Shanxi Province, lies a breathtaking geological wonder—the Taihang Mountain Natural Stone Gate. Millions of years of wind and water erosion have slowly sculpted the cliffs into a massive archway, completely untouched by human hands, a masterpiece of nature. The stone gate spans the canyon, flanked by towering cliffs, with a babbling brook flowing at the bottom. From afar, it appears majestic and awe-inspiring; up close, the grandeur of the mountains and rivers is even more striking—truly deserving of its title as the World's First Stone Gate. Venture deep into the Taihang Mountains to witness this unparalleled natural wonder. #BeautifulLandscapes #TaihangMountains #TravelRecommendation #EveryFrameIsBeautiful

A very nice summer tourist destination, much cooler than other places, and the convenient transportation makes sightseeing less tiring. There's a long stretch of road leading to the scenic area that resembles a provincial highway, with very little traffic; I almost wondered if we were on the wrong road.

The sightseeing buses arranged by the scenic area were excellent, and the connections between each stop were seamless, making for a very comfortable experience! Climbing to the highest viewing platform offers a breathtaking and awe-inspiring panoramic view of the Grand Canyon. A 5A scenic area, highly recommended!

周末，我来到了山西平顺县的虹霓村，这里是一个坐落在悬崖上的古村落。刚进村，就被眼前的景象震撼了。虹霓村因村东的虹霓瀑布而得名，瀑布从悬崖上飞流直下，水雾四溅，在阳光下形成一道道美丽的彩虹。沿着村中的石板路漫步，古老的房屋错落有致，石墙、石巷，处处透着古朴的气息。村中有一座明惠大师塔，是国家重点保护文物，塔身石雕精美，见证了虹霓村悠久的历史。村口的南海观音庙里，村民们正在举行庙会，热闹非凡，充满了生活气息。站在观景台上俯瞰，整个村庄仿佛悬挂在半山腰，三面环山，背山面水，宛如世外桃源。虹霓村不仅有迷人的自然风光，更有深厚的历史文化底蕴，让人流连忘返。

Jin Deng Temple Grottoes are located in Beiquan Village, Yuxiaguan Town, Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. Construction began during the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi Dynasty, with the existing grottoes primarily dating from the 17th year of the Hongzhi reign to the 44th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. In 2006, it was listed as a sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. The grottoes are carved into a natural rock recess on a cliff at an altitude of 1700 meters in the Taihang Mountains, stretching 171 meters east to west. There are currently 16 grottoes and over 500 cliff carvings, including themes of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Vajras, exhibiting Ming Dynasty sculptural style. The architectural layout consists of seven courtyards, with the largest grotto being the Water and Land Hall. Inside the hall is a stone bridge in the shape of the Chinese character "田" (field) and a clear pool, around which stand over 50 Buddha statues. The ceiling is decorated with square reliefs. To the north of the temple, there are 46 existing Ming and Qing Dynasty stone pagodas, including a hexagonal Thousand Buddha Pagoda. The main grottoes adopt a hall-style imitation wooden structure, featuring straight-lattice windows, octagonal eaves columns, and inverted-pyramid-shaped ceilings. The altars inside the grottoes often feature statues of the three great Bodhisattvas and their attendant bodhisattvas.

Chongqing Temple, located in Changzi County, Changzhi City, is situated on the mountainside of the present-day Ziyun Mountain Scenic Area. To visit the temple, you need to transfer to a sightseeing bus at the scenic area's main gate (round-trip ticket: 10 yuan/person) to reach the temple entrance. Chongqing Temple was first built during the Northern Song Dynasty and underwent several renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The temple complex comprises a courtyard with halls such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Thousand Buddhas, the Hall of Reclining Buddha, the Hall of Great Compassion, and the Hall of Ksitigarbha. The group of eighteen Arhats in the Hall of Great Compassion is the only polychrome sculpture in China with a definitive Northern Song Dynasty date, hailed as the "Crown of Song Dynasty Sculpture." In addition, the temple's other halls contain hundreds of sculptures, including suspended and polychrome sculptures from various dynasties, all possessing extremely high artistic value. Chongqing Temple was one of the filming locations for the movie *Black Myth: Wukong* and is a national key cultural relics protection unit. For tourists who appreciate ancient architecture and polychrome and suspended sculptures, Chongqing Temple is well worth a special trip.