Things to do in Yangyuan

Search attractions or local attractions & tours

Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Yangyuan

View all Attractions

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Badaling Great Wall

10

4.7/5

63.6k reviews

The Badaling Great Wall is a highly representative section of the Ming Great Wall, located in Yanqing, Beijing, north of Juyong Pass. Since ancient times, it has been a strategic military location guarding the northwestern passage to the capital. The pass city is trapezoidal in shape, narrow in the east and wide in the west, with two gates, east and west. The east gate bears the inscription "Juyong Outer Town," and the west gate bears the inscription "Key to the North Gate." Both inscriptions remain clearly legible to this day. Extending north from the pass is the North Wall, along which more than ten watchtowers are distributed; to the south is the South Wall, which has fewer watchtowers. North Tower 8 is the highest point of the entire section, at over 1,000 meters above sea level, and from its top you can overlook the magnificent sweep of the wall winding along the mountain ridges. The North Wall has higher terrain and steeper slopes with open views, and is the main route for most visitors; the South Wall is relatively gentle and less crowded, making it suitable for visitors who want to take photos at a relaxed pace and avoid the crowds. If time permits, walking the South Wall first and then the North Wall is a more leisurely arrangement. Badaling Great Wall is also one of the earlier sections of the wall opened to the public. The top surface of the wall is paved with square bricks, and the widest parts can accommodate five horses walking side by side. Defensive structures such as battlements and arrow holes are well preserved, and walking along it gives a direct sense of the construction standards of Ming Dynasty border defense works. In fall, layers of red leaves on the mountains contrast beautifully with the gray brick wall, making it a season that many photography enthusiasts travel specifically to capture. ▲Travel through 600 years of gilded splendor and encounter the visual shock of crimson red leaves blanketing the mountains ▲nightAs night falls, it winds through the mountains like a brilliant golden dragon, and the ancient city wall illuminated by lights tells of the glory and mystery of a thousand years of history ▲ In winter, the Badaling Great Wall, covered in pristine white snow, winds through the mountains like a silver dragon. The golden light of dawn spills across the wall, painting a tranquil and magnificent picture.

China · Beijing



2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

The Palace Museum

10

4.9/5

204.9k reviews

The Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace, was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is also the symbol of ancient China. When you are in the majestic and orderly high walls and deep courtyards, you can truly feel its former glory. ▲The long history has left behind large-scale precious buildings and countless cultural relics, which have also become the main attraction of visiting the Forbidden City today. ▲Classic attractions: The Forbidden City Corner Tower is a polygonal building with a convex plane on all four sides. It is located in Dongcheng District, Beijing. The roof has three layers. The upper layer is a hip roof with vertical and horizontal intersections. It is composed of a gable roof with flowing water on two slopes and a hip roof with four slopes. Because there are nine main ridges on this roof, it is called the Nine-ridge Hall. ▲Sundials are divided into two types according to their installation principle: equatorial and horizontal. The sundial installed using the equatorial principle is called an equatorial sundial. The key points of its production are that it must have a time plate, a latitude arc and a gnomon. When operating, the time plate must be parallel to the equatorial plane of the earth, the gnomon must be in the same direction as the earth's axis, and the shadow cast by the gnomon on the gnomon is the desired time. ▲The Treasure House is located in the Ningshou Palace area. It has a rich collection of treasures, including Buddhist supplies, ornaments, daily utensils, and treasures for appreciation. Among them, the red coral lion about 14 cm high, the Dongzhu court beads about 130 cm long, and the gold "Fengtianzhibao" seal are all rare treasures. ▲The Clock and Watch Museum is located in the Fengxian Hall in the palace. Most of the clocks on display are British products, but there are also clocks from other countries such as France and Switzerland. In addition to the timing function, these clocks are decorated with figures, birds, beasts, flowers, etc., which can also make various different movements. They are very delicately made. Among them, the copper-plated gilded writing clock, the copper-plated gilded enamel gourd-top fishing and woodcutting farming clock, and the copper-plated gilded rotating flower running man rhinoceros carrying clock are very rare.

China · Beijing



2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Universal Beijing Resort

10

4.6/5

81.8k reviews

Beijing Universal Studios is a highly anticipated theme park destination, including Universal Theme Park, Beijing Universal CityWalk, and two resort hotels. It features brand new selected Attraction and includes popular entertainment facilities and attractions from Universal Theme Parks around the world. ▲Universal Studios Beijing: Blending Chinese cultural elements to create a unique experience, it has seven theme Attraction, 37 rides and entertainment facilities and landmark attractions, 24 performances, 80 Dining and 30 retail stores. ▲Minion Land: It is a colorful world full of joy! At this moment, these naughty Minions are walking around the streets, ports and city centers, having fun all over the world without restraint! At the same time, Gru is also recruiting soldiers for the Minions Army, so hurry up and sign up at Gru's house! ▲The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: Here you can leave the ordinary world behind and experience the wonderful rides and endless magical adventures, which will lead you step by step into a thrilling and interesting magical world! ▲Transformers Metrobase: This is a Cybertron-style base, which is transformed by Transformers the size of a city. If you are ready to become an agent, then accept Optimus Prime's recruitment, join the Beijing Nest Force, fight side by side with the Autobots, and fight against the Decepticons to protect the earth! ▲Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness: This is an ancient place like a paradise, and also a legendary place that combines the beauty of nature and craftsmanship. Come here to explore your own Kung Fu! There's also Jurassic World Isla Nublar, Hollywood, and Waterworld waiting for you to explore! ▲The Universal Studios Grand Hotel The Universal Studios Grand Hotel is located at the entrance of Universal Studios Beijing and offers Hollywood-themed accommodation and the privilege of Early Park Admission via the Universal Studios Beijing VIP Experience entrance; NUO Resort Hotel is a 5-minute walk from the entrance. Guests can enjoy a well-equipped fitness center, indoor swimming pool, and spa center (NUO SPA). Guests can also enjoy Early Park Admission via the Universal Studios Beijing VIP Experience entrance. Both hotels combine themed features with high-end facilities to create an immersive vacation experience.

China · Beijing



No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Xuankong Temple

8.4

4.7/5

13k reviews

Xuankong Temple is located between the cliffs of Cuiping Peak in Jinlong Gorge, Hengshan. It was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and has a history stretching longer than 1,500 years. It is a well-preserved high-altitude wooden cliff building in China. At the foot of Hengshan, from a distance, you can see the Hanging Temple suspended over the mountainside. The entire temple is hung on the steep cliff, skillfully utilizing and building into the concave and convex portions of the cliff, making it exceptionally staggered and yet rhythmic. Visitors walk along the wooden plank road suspended within the temple to feel the magical architectural charm of the Hanging Temple.

Hunyuan · 61.5km from Yangyuan



2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

National Museum of China

9.5

4.8/5

14.1k reviews

The National Museum of China is located on the east side of Tiananmen Square and was formed by merging the former Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution. The building is one of the ten great structures built for the tenth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1959. The museum holds over 1.4 million items, covering categories such as ancient artifacts, modern and contemporary artifacts, rare books and ancient texts, and artworks, among which the number of Grade One cultural relics is substantial. The three permanent exhibitions are the core of any visit. The "Ancient China" exhibition, located in the basement-level galleries, follows the succession of dynasties and is divided into eight sections from remote antiquity to the Ming and Qing dynasties, displaying heavyweight artifacts such as the painted pottery basin with human-face and fish design, the four-ram zun vessel, the Houmuwu ding, the drum-beating storyteller figurine, and the jade burial suit sewn with gold thread, several of which are listed as cultural relics prohibited from being exhibited abroad; this exhibition is also the most artifact-dense area in the museum and is worth spending time examining closely. The "Road to Rejuvenation" and "Road to Rejuvenation: New Era" exhibitions, located in the northern galleries, review the Chinese nation's journey of rejuvenation since the Opium War of 1840, with exhibits including the oil painting The Founding Ceremony of the Nation and the Shenzhou 5 return capsule, among other landmark artifacts. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum regularly hosts thematic exhibitions on ancient Chinese Buddhist statues, coins, porcelain, and painting and calligraphy, and periodically presents special exhibitions and international exchange exhibitions covering history and culture, archaeological discoveries, and classic fine art. With numerous galleries spread across multiple floors, visitors are advised to plan their route in advance and allow ample time.

China · Beijing



2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Yungang Grottoes

9

4.8/5

42.4k reviews

Yungang Grottoes Scenic Area is divided into a landscape zone and the grottoes. It is one of the three largest grottoes in China. The sculpture combines Chinese and Western art. Here you can experience the artistic charms of Northern Wei Dynasty. Yungang Grottoes not only embodies traditional Chinese art style but also integrates art styles of ethnic groups from ancient India, countries west of China and China's central plains. It is a famous historical site in Datong City.

Datong · 86.1km from Yangyuan



No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Huayan Temple

8.3

4.8/5

16.7k reviews

Huayan Temple is located in the center of Datong. This temple was built in the 8th year of Liao Qingning Period (AD 1062). In the Daxiong Hall of Huayan Temple, you can see the groundworks of Liao Dynasty and the buildings of Jin Dynasty, as well as the statues of Ming Dynasty and the murals of Qing Dynasty. The Hall of BojiaJiaocang in the temple is the only Liao Dynasty building here. The statues from Liao Dynasty in the Hall are extremely precious. There is a double-storey pavilion-style cabinet behind the Hall of Bojiajiaocang, the upper level is for Buddha statues and Buddhist altars, and the lower layer stores for books.

Datong · 72.8km from Yangyuan



WuLongXia

5

4.6/5

112 reviews

The Wulong Gorge system was formed by volcanic lava eruption 100 million years ago. After being eroded by the Sanggan River for hundreds of millions of years, a natural canyon about 10 kilometers long and hundreds of meters wide was formed. It is a volcanic geological park. Wulong Gorge is full of green grass in spring, shaded by trees in summer, covered with red in autumn, and picturesque in winter. There are Huaguo Mountain, Shuilian Cave, Wuxing Mountain, Liang Zhu Flying Tomb, Acacia Cliff, and Seeking Roots in the Valley in the gorge. There are clear streams, rapids, hot springs, and waterfalls, as well as the magical landforms of "dragon and phoenix", strange volcanic lava, and cultural relics passed down through the ages, which make the mountains, rivers, grass, and trees here add Unlimited natural and mysterious colors. There are also many entertainment activities in the Attraction, including sand sliding, grass sliding, boating on the lake, canyon rafting, bamboo rafting, kayaking, horse riding and shooting in the woods, barbecue by the mountain spring, singing in the yurt, bonfire party, etc.

Datong · 30.2km from Yangyuan



No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

8.6

4.8/5

25.7k reviews

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is centered on the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. This pure wooden pavilion-style pagoda was first built in the second year of Qingning of the Liao Dynasty (1056) and later expanded and completed during the Mingchang period of the Jin Dynasty. It is the oldest surviving wooden pagoda in China. The pagoda has five visible stories, with concealed stories inserted between them, making nine stories in total, and stands about 67 m tall. Apart from the stone platform base on the first story, the main body of the pagoda is built entirely of wood, connected using traditional mortise-and-tenon craftsmanship, and the whole pagoda uses more than 50 types of bracket sets, demonstrating exquisite structural design. For more than nine hundred years, the pagoda has withstood many major earthquakes and modern artillery bombardment and still stands today. Due to the need for cultural relic protection, visitors may only visit the first floor inside the pagoda. There is a door on each of the north and south sides of the first floor. In the center of the inner chamber is a seated statue of Shakyamuni about 10 m tall, with a dignified face and a solemn expression. Looking up, you can see the exquisite coffered ceiling at the top. On the walls of the inner chamber are painted six Buddha images of Tathagata, and on the walls on both sides of the doorway are painted Liao Dynasty-style murals featuring Vajra, disciples, and offering figures, with bright colors and lifelike figures. Multiple plaques from various dynasties hang under the eaves of each story of the wooden pagoda, two of which were written by Ming emperors and are particularly striking. Under the south eaves of the fifth story hangs the plaque "Supreme Divine Craftsmanship," written by Zhu Di, Emperor Chengzu of Ming, when he climbed the pagoda during a northern military campaign in the Yongle era; under the south eaves of the fourth story hangs the plaque "Wonder of the World," written by Zhu Houzhao, Emperor Wuzong of Ming, when he ascended the pagoda to feast and reward his ministers after the Yingzhou victory in the Zhengde era. These plaques are not only calligraphic treasures but also record the intersection of the wooden pagoda with historical figures, together with the architecture itself forming a distinctive cultural view of the attraction.

China · Ying County



2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Prince Kung's Palace Museum

8.6

4.8/5

38.2k reviews

Prince Kung's Palace Museum is located by the Shichahai lakeside and stands as one of the best-preserved princely mansions from the Qing dynasty in Beijing. It originally served as the residence of Heshen, a powerful official during Emperor Qianlong's reign. After Heshen's downfall, the property was granted to Prince Qing Yonglin, and later to Prince Gong Yixin during the Xianfeng era, hence the name "Prince Kung's Palace." This mansion witnessed the entire decline of the Qing dynasty, earning the saying "One Prince Kung's Palace, half the history of the Qing dynasty." The complex features a mansion in the front and a garden at the rear, both laid out along central, eastern, and western axes with meticulous order and grandeur. The mansion consists of multiple siheyuan courtyards connected along a central axis: The central Yinan Hall, roofed with green glazed tiles, follows the specifications of a prince's main hall. On the eastern route, the two-courtyard complex of Ledao Hall and Duofu Pavilion once served as the residence of Heshen's son Fengshen Yinde and Princess Hexiao of the Gulun rank, with Ledao Hall later becoming Prince Gong's living quarters. The western route features delicate refinement, with Xijin Study standing out particularly – its partitions are entirely made of exquisitely carved nanmu wood, modeled after the Ning Shou Palace in the Forbidden City. This extravagant construction later became one of Heshen's listed crimes. At the mansion's end stands a two-story elongated building commonly called "Ninety-nine and a half rooms," its rear wall punctuated by a row of variously shaped decorative windows. Legend claims this was the treasure vault and marks the boundary between mansion and garden. The garden, named Cuijin Garden, was reconstructed by Prince Gong's commissioned artisans, blending the charm of Jiangnan landscapes with northern architectural layouts. Its three marvels are the Western-style gate carved from white marble, the stele inscribed with the character "Fu" (blessing) by Emperor Kangxi, and the grand all-wood theater. Hidden in the Secret Cloud Cave within rockeries, the "Fu" stele conceals wishes for numerous descendants, abundant harvests, talent, longevity, and blessings in its strokes—easily missed if one isn't attentive. The theater, an enclosed wooden structure, reportedly projects vocals throughout without amplification. Bat motifs dominate the garden's "blessing" theme: the Bat Pool, Bat Hall, and painted beams interplay harmoniously. From the Moon-Inviting Platform, visitors overlook the entire garden, while the Winding Stream Pavilion preserves the refined legacy of ancient floating wine cup poetry. When touring, you may first follow the central axis to see the mansion, then pass through the western gate to enter and appreciate the garden in detail. There are usually more travelers visiting during holidays, so it's advisable to start early and allow enough time to slowly savor the history and details of this princely mansion.

China · Beijing







Experiences you can't miss in Yangyuan

Featured Day tours in Yangyuan

View all Day tours

󱌍

※1-day private charter tour to Xuankong Temple + Yungang Grottoes in Datong [Hotel pickup included]

4.9/5

· 61 reviews· 283 booked

Duration: 9.8 hrs

English

Free cancellation

Instant confirmation

Book now for tomorrow

61 consecutive positive reviews

FromHK$393.82

󱌍

※1-day private charter tour to Xuankong Temple + Ying County Wooden Pagoda + Yungang Grottoes | Door-to-door pickup in Datong city

4.9/5

· 54 reviews· 225 booked

Duration: 11 hrs

English

Free cancellation

Instant confirmation

Book now for tomorrow

54 consecutive positive reviews

FromHK$427.19

※※Private chartered tour: 1-day tour to Datong Xuankong Temple + Yungang Grottoes + Yong'an Temple with private charter [city pickup]

Trip.Select

󱌍

※※Private chartered tour: 1-day tour to Datong Xuankong Temple + Yungang Grottoes + Yong'an Temple with private charter [city pickup]

4.9/5

· 212 reviews· 344 booked

Duration: 10.7 hrs

English

Free cancellation

Instant confirmation

Book now for tomorrow

23 consecutive positive reviews

FromHK$467.24

󱌍

Yungang Grottoes + Hanging Temple + Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Excluding tickets day tour

4.9/5

· 43 reviews· 146 booked

Duration: 9.5 hrs

English

Free cancellation

Instant confirmation

Book now for tomorrow

97.7% of travelers recommend

FromHK$445.56

󱌍

Private Car Tour to Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple

4.9/5

· 44 reviews· 130 booked

Duration: 8 hrs

English

Free cancellation

Instant confirmation

Book now for tomorrow

36 consecutive positive reviews

FromHK$400.49

󱌍

※Xuankong Temple + Yungang Grottoes + Huayan Monastery 1-day tour by private charter [Exclusive private charter with hotel pickup]

4.7/5

· 19 reviews· 79 booked

Duration: 10.8 hrs

English

Instant confirmation

Book now for tomorrow

FromHK$500.62

󱌍

※Datong Xuankong Temple + Ying County Wooden Pagoda Private Charter 1-Day Tour [Flexible Departure Time | Train Station Pickup]

5.0/5

· 9 reviews· 51 booked

Duration: 6.9 hrs

English

Instant confirmation

Book now for tomorrow

FromHK$453.89

󱌍

Datong: Hanging Temple & Yungang Grottoes Classic Day Tour | CITS × ZANBUS

5.0/5

· 3 reviews· 38 booked

Duration: 8.5 hrs

English

Free cancellation

Instant confirmation

Book now for tomorrow

FromHK$814.34





Featured Food & drink in Yangyuan

View all Food & drink

5.0/5

· 1 review

Duration: 1–2 hrs

Mandarin

Book now for tomorrow

FromHK$338.34





Yangyuan Today's weatherClear -4-6℃

Yangyuan weather for the next 2 days11/10: -3-9℃, 11/11: -2-10℃

Free things to do in Yangyuan





What travellers say about Yangyuan

Anonymous user9 November 2026

5.0

I almost turned into a popsicle because I arrived too early. My honest advice is to not go in November. Despite all of the above the expierce alone tops anything I have done in my life. I was in awe even after leaving the Great Wall. Once you get your barcode entry is a walk in the park. I only picked Badaling due to accessibility and nothing else.

BottSparrow8 November 2026

4.0

It's really amazing place to discover about Heshen's life. The Palace quite big and has many rooms to explore. Besides, they has many exhibition inside a room so you can know more about Heshen life. It also has many good view in courtyard, lake to enjoy the nature.

Prince Kung's Palace Museum





Trip Moments in Yangyuan

Unlocking Two Million Years of History: A Journey Through the Nihewan Culture at Zhangjiakou Museum

“🌿 Furong’s Diary | Wandering with Furong Zhangjiakou Museum (张家口市博物馆) is a comprehensive historical space showcasing some of northern China's most significant archaeological developments.”

@Furong Dairy · zhangjiakou · 6 days ago

This thousand-year-old pagoda in Hebei has had its top and bottom halves "clashing" for a millennium

“On Jiufeng Ridge in Yangyuan, Zhangjiakou, stands a pagoda, lonely on the mountainside.”

@DreamerAtHeart# · 16 days ago





Popular cities near Yangyuan

Pingyao County

Tianjin

Shijiazhuang

Datong

Zhangjiakou

Taiyuan

Wutai Mountain

Baoding





Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Yangyuan?

Don't miss these attractions in Yangyuan: Badaling Great Wall, The Palace Museum, and Universal Beijing Resort. If you like Day tours, try ※1-day private charter tour to Xuankong Temple + Yungang Grottoes in Datong [Hotel pickup included]. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Datong Northern Wei imperial banquet·Immersive royal feast (luxury enjoyment + ancient-style music and dance + imperial banquet + ancient costume-changing experience).

What are the must-try foods and restaurants in Yangyuan?

You can give Datong Northern Wei imperial banquet·Immersive royal feast (luxury enjoyment + ancient-style music and dance + imperial banquet + ancient costume-changing experience) and Datong Ancient Northern Wei Themed Banquet with Live Performance & Historic Cuisine a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Yangyuan?

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include ※1-day private charter tour to Xuankong Temple + Yungang Grottoes in Datong [Hotel pickup included], ※1-day private charter tour to Xuankong Temple + Ying County Wooden Pagoda + Yungang Grottoes | Door-to-door pickup in Datong city, and ※※Private chartered tour: 1-day tour to Datong Xuankong Temple + Yungang Grottoes + Yong'an Temple with private charter [city pickup]. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

What's the typical cost of day tours and activities in Yangyuan?

As of 10 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Yangyuan is around HKD 393.82 – HKD 814.34. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

How can I contact Trip.com customer support?

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Can I change or cancel my booking?

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

How can I get discounted prices?

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.

Things to do in Yangyuan

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Yangyuan

Badaling Great Wall

The Palace Museum

Universal Beijing Resort

Xuankong Temple

National Museum of China

Yungang Grottoes

Huayan Temple

WuLongXia

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

Prince Kung's Palace Museum

Experiences you can't miss in Yangyuan

Featured Day tours in Yangyuan

Featured Food & drink in Yangyuan

Free things to do in Yangyuan

National Museum of China

Datong Ancient City

Shanxi Museum

Xinzhou Ancient City

Sun Park

Shichahai Scenic Area

Datong Volcanoes National Geological Park

Tiananmen Square

Zhengding Ancient City

Datong Museum

What travellers say about Yangyuan

Badaling Great Wall

The Palace Museum

Universal Beijing Resort

Xuankong Temple

National Museum of China

Yungang Grottoes

Huayan Temple

WuLongXia

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

Prince Kung's Palace Museum

Trip Moments in Yangyuan

Unlocking Two Million Years of History: A Journey Through the Nihewan Culture at Zhangjiakou Museum

This thousand-year-old pagoda in Hebei has had its top and bottom halves "clashing" for a millennium

Popular cities near Yangyuan

Pingyao County

Tianjin

Shijiazhuang

Datong

Zhangjiakou

Taiyuan

Wutai Mountain

Baoding

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Yangyuan?

What are the must-try foods and restaurants in Yangyuan?

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Yangyuan?

What's the typical cost of day tours and activities in Yangyuan?

How can I contact Trip.com customer support?

Can I change or cancel my booking?

How can I get discounted prices?