Things to do in Jia County
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Top 10 attractions in Jia County
Baiyun Mountain
Baiyun Mountain is located about 5 kilometers south of Jia County in Yulin City on the edge of the Yellow River. As it is often shrouded in white clouds, the mountain is named 'Baiyun' (Chinese for white cloud) mountain. Amongst the mountainous scenery, there is a Taoist temple named Baiyun Temple. It is said that Li Yufeng, a Taoist scholar from Zhongnan Mountain, came to Baiyun Mountain to collect medicine for the treatment of diseases and to help all living beings, and built Baiyun Temple on the mountain. The mainly Taoist architecture sits alongside Buddhist and Confucian temples and also contains culturally exquisite sculptures, paintings and calligraphy.Jia County · 2.3km from downtown
Xianglu Temple
Xianglu Temple is located on the summit of Xianglu Peak, 200m east of Jia County. It overlooks the Yellow River to the east, with sheer drops on three sides, and is connected to the ancient city gate only by a narrow path on the northwest side. In front of the peak stands a giant rock, 5m in diameter and over 20m high, separated from the main peak by 2m. It resembles a tall-footed incense burner, which is how the temple got its name, and is renowned as one of the eight scenic spots of Jia County, known as "Sunset Glow at Xianglu Temple". Xianglu Temple is perched on precipitous terrain. The Xianglu Rock rises into the air, and the broken bridge is thrillingly steep. Standing on it feels like floating in mid-air. Looking down, the surging Yellow River rushes past, roaring and powerful,while the Jialin Yellow River Bridge spans across from east to west, like a dragon lying on the waves.Jia County · 1.1km from downtown
Baiyun Temple
Jia County · 3km from downtown
Mutouyu Ancient Town Scenic Area
Mumuyu Ancient Town Scenic Area is located in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and on the west bank of the Qinjin Gorge, among hundreds of acres of jujube forest. The ancient town where it is located was an important Yellow River flood and drought wharf at the west entrance in ancient times. The scenic spot is integrated with the original residents here, providing tourists with a dual space for leisure vacation travel and ancient village life exploration. It is a leisure and vacation destination that integrates camping on the Yellow River beach, visiting ancient residential streets, wild luxury in a parent-child paradise, picking up local folk customs, exploring loess landforms, and experiencing starry night nights.Jia County · 14km from downtown
Jinci Temple Museum
Jinci Temple is located on the banks of the Jin River at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain, 25 km southwest of Taiyuan. It was built by later generations to commemorate Tang Shuyu, the founding feudal lord of the Jin State, and served as the ancestral temple of the Jin State. It is often said that "a visit to Taiyuan is incomplete without seeingJinci Templethe saying "a wasted trip to Taiyuan". After getting off at Jinci Temple, the first place you'll reach isJinci MuseumThis is a free park with a pleasant environment, perfect for casual strolling. After about a 10-minute walk through the park, you'll reach the main area of Jinci. Inside Jinci Museum,Jinci TempleThe "Three Treasures" (Xian Hall, Flying Bridge Across Fish Pond, and Shengmu Hall) and "Three Wonders" (Zhou-bai, Nanlao Spring Pavilion, and painted clay sculptures) are must-sees for every visitor toJinci Templeview that everyone must see. Jinci TempleThe "Three Treasures" are connected and located atJinci Templeon the central axis, allowing for a combined visit. Xian Hall is a place for offering sacrifices, with fence-like walls on all four sides, providing good ventilation and coolness. Notably, not a single iron nail was used in the beams and pillars throughout the hall. The Flying Bridge Across Fish Pond is located in front of Xian Hall and was built during the Song Dynasty. The entire view resembles a modern overpass, making it the only existing example among ancient bridges in China. One end of the "Flying Bridge" connects to Shengmu Hall, which is the earliest existing main building in Jinci Museum. The main hall is spacious, and a major highlight is its beam-and-pillar structure without internal columns. Eight wooden carved coiled dragons, appearing ready to fly, are carved on the eight corridor pillars in front of the hall, which, together with the "Flying Bridge Across Fish Pond," present a magnificent sight. Centered around the Hall of the Holy Mother, it's easy to find the "Three Wonders." The painted clay figurines are located inside the Hall of the Holy Mother, with the main statue of the Holy Mother seated majestically in a wooden shrine, dignified and resplendent, while the other 42 attendant statues stand on either side. These figurines are dressed in vibrant colors with varied expressions, including one maidservant dressed as a flower-dan (young female role in Chinese opera), her face half joyful and half sorrowful, evoking complex emotions in viewers. Master Mei Lanfang once stood before this maidservant statue for a long time, carefully studying her posture and inner emotions, and praised it highly. The Zhou Cypress, located north of the Hall of the Holy Mother, was planted during the Western Zhou Dynasty and is over 3,000 years old. The Pavilion of the Never-Aging Spring stands south of the Hall of the Holy Mother, where the source of the Jin River flows continuously year-round. In addition,Jinci TempleInside, there is also the extremely precious "Jinci Inscription" stele, personally composed and handwritten by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. At the southernmost part, you can find the Shifang Fengsheng Zen Temple, which is said to have originally been the villa of Yuchi Gong, a founding general of the Tang Dynasty. In the northern part of the temple complex, the Futu Courtyard houses the Sheli Shengsheng Pagoda. Climbing the pagoda offers a panoramic view.Jinci TempleThe panoramic view is clearly visible.China · Taiyuan
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
The full name of Yingxian Wooden Tower is Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. It is in the Fogong Temple in the northwest of Yingxian County. The octagonal wooden pagoda has five stories. Except for the high-end stone foundation of the first floor, the rest of the pagoda is made of wood using the traditional craftsmanship of Sunmao. Each layer of the wooden tower is equipped with wind chimes for a pleasant sound when the wind blows.China · Ying County
The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
The Hukou Waterfall is a famous waterfall on the Yellow River. The roiling water of the Yellow River roars downward here with great power. The Hukou Waterfall area is divided by the Yellow River. On the west side is Yichuan County, Shaanxi, and on the east side is Ji County, Shanxi. The waterfall is also divided into the Hukou Waterfall (the part of the falls in Shaanxi) and the Shanxi Hukou Waterfall (the part of the falls in Shanxi). Separate tickets are sold for each area. The Shanxi section of the Hukou Waterfall is located 45 kilometers west of the seat of Ji County in Linfen City, Shanxi.China · Ji County
Pingyao Ancient City
Pingyao Ancient City is approx. 85 km from Taiyuan. The streets, shops, and residences within the ancient city still maintain their traditional layout and appearance, making it one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China. It is also the only ancient county town in China that has successfully been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an entire city. Pingyao was once the financial center of China during the late Qing Dynasty. Walking through this once-prosperous ancient city, you can feel the essence of Shanxi merchant culture everywhere. The ancient city has six gates in total, with the north gate near Pingyao bus station and the west gate nearPingyao train stationThe south gate and west gate are places with many travelers. Entering the ancient town does not require an admission ticket, but if you want to climb the city wall or visit attractions like the ticket number, you need to purchase a pass for the ancient town. The ancient town is not very large, and walking is enough to explore it all. If you prefer not to walk, you can also take electric bikes. The streets of the entire ancient city are laid out in the shape of the Chinese character "土" (earth). When visiting, you usually enter the city from the West Gate and walk along West Street to Rishengchang Draft Bank, known as the "ancestor of modern Chinese banking". Here you can not only learn about the development history of ancient banking, but also have the old manager in a long robe and mandarin jacket write a draft for you using the early draft method, which is particularly historical. Moving forward is the north-south spanningSouth street, it is the central axis of the ancient city. During the Ming and Qing dynasties,South streetControlling over half of the nation's financial institutions, it was hailed as the "Wall Street of China" in its heyday. Today, it remains a bustling area of the ancient city, known as the Ming-Qing Ancient Street. Most attractions in Pingyao Ancient City are concentrated here, centered around the landmark structure, the Ancient City Tower. Surrounding it are attractions like Xie Tong Qing ticket number (China Banking Museum) and Wei Tai Hou (Ticket number museumAttractions such as Baichuantong, China Escort Museum, Tongxinggong Escort, Weishengchang, China Rare Newspaper Exhibition Hall, and Tianjixiang are available, along with restaurants, musical instrument stores, cafes, and bars. After strolling along the street, you can dine here, buy some souvenirs, and then continue south for more sightseeing. At the Pingyao Ancient City's county government office on the south side of the ancient city, you can see a large number of ancient documents and torture instruments, with daily performances of court sessions; near the Shangdong Gate are the Pingyao Ancient City's Chenghuang Temple andConfucian templeIt is quite grand and meticulously built, with thriving incense offerings where you can burn joss sticks. The Pingyao Ancient City wall is also one of the highlights of the ancient city, being not only majestic but also remarkably well-preserved. Climbing the wall offers a panoramic view of the entire ancient city. Among the gates, the tower of the south gate (Yingxun Gate of Pingyao Ancient City wall) is exquisitely crafted, and this area is close to residential buildings, allowing visitors to observe the daily life of the locals. If time permits, you can walk around the ancient city along the wall to fully appreciate its charm, which takes about an hour. Watching the sunset from the wall in the evening presents a beautiful scene. Besides the ancient town itself, Pingyao has two other major attractions: Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple. Zhenguo Temple was built without a single nail, with all structures joined by interlocking wooden components. Shuanglin Temple houses over 10 halls containing exquisitely crafted painted sculptures dating from the Yuan to Ming dynasties. It is highly recommended to stay overnight in the ancient town to enjoy its night view. You can also rent a bicycle to explore the small alleys and experience the authentic Pingyao, where the local culture and customs or photography make excellent subjects. Especially during the Chinese New Year, Pingyao is full of festive atmosphere. The town features old courtyards converted into inns, which are usually affordable, with clean and tidy accommodations available for just a few dozen yuan. Additionally, Pingyao is renowned for its beef. In the late Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi passed through Pingyao and was so fond of the local beef after tasting it that she designated it as a royal tribute. Shops bearing the name "Guanyun beef" can be seen everywhere in the ancient town, making it hard to distinguish authenticity, and prices are generally high. You may consider buying some outside the town to try or give as gifts to friends and relatives.China · Pingyao County
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
The Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River is located on the riverbed of the Yellow River in the Qin-Jin Grand Canyon, where the provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi face each other across the river. The main stream of the Yellow River, originally hundreds of m wide, suddenly narrows to dozens of m and plunges into a deep trough with a drop of 20–30 m, resembling water being poured from a giant pot—hence the name "Hukou" (Pot Mouth). Due to the large amount of sediment carried by the river, the waterfall presents a rare golden-yellow view: the turbid waves roar down with a sound like distant thunder rolling through the valley, while the rising mist lingers before the cliff, earning the nickname "smoke rising from the water." On sunny days, sunlight casts a rainbow over the waterfall, known as "a rainbow playing in the water." The mist may drench visitors even without wind or rain, creating the wonder called "rainfall under a clear sky." Hukou waterfall is regarded as the symbol of the "soul of the Yellow River" and the spirit of the Chinese nation. In 1938, when poet Guang Weiran crossed the Yellow River, he witnessed the roaring waves of Hukou and the boatmen's chants, which inspired him to create the now-legendary Yellow River Cantata. Liang Heng's essay of the same name was selected for middle school Chinese textbooks, and the back of the fourth series CNY 50 banknote also features this scene. Many first learned about it through textbooks and currency before visiting in person. In the past, cargo ships had to leave the water and bypass the waterfall here, leaving behind the maritime memory of "sailing on dry land." The scenery here varies with the seasons: In early spring, the upstream ice melts and the water level rises sharply, coinciding with the blooming of mountain peach blossoms on both banks, known as the "March peach blossom flood." In midsummer, the rainy season brings abundant water, with muddy waves towering into the sky. After fall begins, the rainy season subsides, and the water becomes high and steady. As the fall breeze sweeps by, rainbows often appear, earning the name "Hukou autumn breeze." In deep winter, layers of ice form along the banks, and overflow freezes into inverted ice peaks, glistening under the sunlight, creating the spectacular "upside-down ice peaks." The viewing platform on the Shaanxi side stretches along the cliff top on the western bank, offering a commanding view of the "thousand-mile Yellow River funneled into one pot" and the ten-mile-long Dragon Trough below the waterfall. During high-water seasons, the mist is heavy, and clothes get soaked quickly, so remember to protect your camera and phone; the boardwalk is slippery, so watch your step while walking and taking photos.China · Yichuan
Little Western Paradise
Little Western Paradise is perched atop Phoenix Mountain in Xi County, Linfen, Shanxi Province. This Buddhist temple, originally named the Thousand Buddha Nunnery, was established during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty. It earned its initial name from the thousand Buddha statues enshrined in its Main Hall of the Great Hero. Later, it was renamed due to the inscription "Entering the Western Paradise" above its gate and to distinguish it from another ancient temple, "Great Western Paradise," located south of the city. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing a river in front, the temple is compact yet ingeniously laid out across its upper and lower courtyards. Ascending the stone steps and passing through the secluded "Heavenly Grotto" corridor evokes a sense of gradually entering a Buddhist paradise. The upper courtyard centers around the Main Hall of the Great Hero, flanked by the Manjusri Hall and Samantabhadra Hall. The Main Hall is the temple's crowning jewel: within its modest 100-square-meter space, nearly 2,000 suspended sculptures adorn niches, gables, beams, and rafters, transforming the hall into a museum of suspended sculpture art. Five interconnected niches dominate the rear wall, housing the Medicine Buddha, Amitabha, Sakyamuni, Vairocana, and Maitreya seated on lotus thrones, with ten principal disciples standing beside them. The southern wall depicts Buddhist narratives featuring the Four Sages and Four Heavenly Kings, while the northern wall portrays the 33 celestial palaces of Mount Sumeru. Flying apsaras, divine birds, and musician bodhisattvas dance among clouds on the beams, their gilded polychrome surfaces retaining vibrant hues after centuries. This rare collection of late Ming to early Qing suspended sculptures has gained wider recognition since the temple became a filming location for the popular game Black Myth: Wukong, attracting many travelers for dedicated visits. The lower courtyard also rewards exploration: the Immeasurable Hall faces east, where dozens of bronze Buddha statues interplay with wooden celestial palaces in what was once the monks' meditation hall. Opposite stands the Skanda Hall, housing a single nanmu-carved statue of Skanda. The temple also preserves thousands of volumes from the Yongle Northern Canon, a Ming imperial gift. Visitors are advised to spend extra time in the Main Hall—dim lighting requires slow, upward gazes to appreciate the intricate details of the high-placed sculptures. After exploring both courtyards, one can ascend Solitary Paulownia Peak via the "Seemingly No Path" route behind Skanda Hall, where the Cloud-Touching Pavilion offers panoramic views of the rural landscape below.China · Xi County
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Free things to do in Jia County
Baiyun Mountain
Jia County · 2.3km from downtownXianglu Temple
Jia County · 1.1km from downtownBaiyun Temple
Jia County · 3km from downtownMutouyu Ancient Town Scenic Area
Jia County · 14km from downtownJinci Temple Museum
China · TaiyuanBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeYingxian Wooden Pagoda
China · Ying CountyBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeThe Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
China · Ji CountyBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimePingyao Ancient City
China · Pingyao CountyImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeHukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
China · YichuanImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeLittle Western Paradise
China · Xi CountyBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytime
What travellers say about Jia County
M37***453 August 2026
4.0
Baiyun Mountain, located on the banks of the Yellow River in Jia County, is a famous Taoist mountain. Its terrain runs from northwest to southeast, majestically situated on the west bank of the mighty Yellow River. The mountain is covered with lush pine and cypress trees, and towering cliffs. From a distance, it appears and disappears in the mist.
The Baiyun Mountain Taoist temple complex is the largest Ming Dynasty architectural complex in the entire Northwest region, with numerous temples and halls of varying sizes, creating a magnificent and imposing sight.
Baiyun Mountain
豪华邮轮15 August 2022
5.0
As one of the two famous scenic spots in Jiaxian County, northern Shaanxi, Xianglu Temple (the other is Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area) is worth a visit. The scenic spot is on the bank of the Yellow River in the ancient city of Jiazhou, the county seat. There are two roads in the streets of the ancient city that can lead down to the scenic spot. The temple is built on a huge rock that stands on the river bank in the shape of an incense burner. The surrounding scenery is beautiful, overlooking the Yellow River and Shanxi in the distance. The transportation is convenient, and the bus stops for No. 1 and No. 2 are nearby.
Xianglu Temple
AAAAKKKK-114 December 2024
5.0
Baiyun Temple was first built in the Song Dynasty and mainly built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is a Taoist holy place with ancient temples as the carrier. The Taoist temple was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. After generations of continuous construction and repair, it became a scenic spot with Taoism as the main focus. Its temples and other Baiyun Mountain buildings are all hidden in the shade of green trees, with beautiful scenery, charming views, clear air, and spotless. This is a Taoist holy place, a treasure land of cultural relics, and a sacred mountain in the west.
Baiyun Temple
M33***452 May 2025
1.0
The experience is very bad. The people in Jiaxian sold Mutouyu. They are crazy about money and don't know how to do business at all.
Mutouyu Ancient Town Scenic Area
yangliaopan15 October 2026
5.0
This truly is a Feng Shui treasure land brimming with energy.
I'm so envious of the people of Taiyuan; they can come and visit whenever they want. The 3,000-year-old Zhou Cypress, the Tang Taizong's calligraphy inscription, and all sorts of architecture and sculptures—Shanxi really is the place to behold when it comes to architecture!
Jinci Temple Museum
hanhan-200115 October 2026
5.0
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the pinnacle of ancient architecture in Shanxi. Unlike the "Liao and Jin art" of Huayan Temple, it is a "wooden miracle" that will shock you purely with its mechanics and structure.
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
M25***7114 October 2026
5.0
This restaurant is quite close to the Hukou Waterfall Visitor Center. The food is delicious, and the towels, bath towels, and toilet seats are all disposable. It's a building with an elevator, and the owner is very generous; he gave us some of his own apples when we left. Breakfast is 10 yuan per person, consisting of millet porridge, steamed buns, a local egg, and two servings of pickled vegetables—enough to fill you up.
The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area
Noam Galpaz Angel16 October 2026
4.0
The attractions are close to each other, I think an English sign and explanations will be a bonus. Get a guide if you want to understand more about the old city.
Pingyao Ancient City
哥玛兽16 October 2026
5.0
The shuttle bus I took from Wanglongtai was not crowded, the facilities were fairly complete, the driver departed promptly, and the ride was smooth. They even turned on the air conditioning in the afternoon. The price of 16 yuan was reasonable.
Hukou Waterfall tourist area of the Yellow River
Anonymous user10 October 2026
5.0
The main hall, spanning only 170 square meters, is densely packed with nearly 200 suspended sculptures, works from the late Ming Dynasty 400 years ago. These sculptures are crafted from wood and clay, with gold leaf applied to the walls. From the walls and beams to the roof, they depict celestial palaces, flying apsaras, musicians, and mythical birds, intricate yet orderly, with lifelike expressions, earning it the title of the pinnacle of Chinese suspended sculpture.
Little Western Paradise
