Yongji 2025 In-Depth Tour! Climb the Stork Tower to explore the legacy of the Tang Dynasty and savor authentic Shanxi flavors!
🌟Yongji 2025 In-Depth Tour! Climb the Stork Tower to Discover the Legacy of the Tang Dynasty and Savor Authentic Shanxi Flavors!
> In Yongji, a small town in southern Shanxi, I found the Stork Tower from Tang poetry and the Puji Temple from the Romance of the Western Chamber. This treasure trove of a town gave me so many surprises!
When I first stood atop the Stork Tower, gazing at the Yellow River flowing on the horizon, I instantly understood the meaning of "To see a thousand miles further, climb one more story." Yongji's tourism popularity continues to rise in 2025. This small town, with its rich historical heritage, offered me a cultural journey through time with its ancient temples, famous towers, and scenic landscapes!
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🏯 **Must-Visit Attractions**
1. **Climb the Stork Tower for Panoramic Views** As one of the four great ancient towers of China, the Stork Tower is definitely a must-see in Yongji. I chose to climb the tower at dusk, watching the sunset and the Yellow River dyed golden red. I truly experienced the magnificent scene described in Wang Zhihuan's poem, "The sun sets beyond the mountains, the Yellow River flows into the sea." In 2025, the scenic area launched the immersive traditional Chinese style script tour, "Poetry Inspires the Tang Dynasty: Tracing the Footsteps of the Stork," allowing me to experience a cultural adventure across a thousand years through reciting poetry and learning etiquette with historical figures as NPCs.
2. **Experience the Legend of Love at Puji Temple** As the setting of the story of *The Romance of the Western Chamber*, Puji Temple is the only temple in China dedicated to "love stories." Strolling along Yingying Path, I felt as if I had stepped into the love story of Zhang Sheng and Cui Yingying. The scenic area's performances, such as "Turning the Pagoda for Blessings" and "Love in the Western Chamber," vividly recreated the classic love story, and the actors' wonderful performances made me applaud and cheer. Don't forget to circle the Yingying Pagoda three times to pray for blessings; it's said to be very effective!
3. **Visiting the Giant Iron Oxen at the Pujindu Site**
At the Pujindu Site Museum, I saw **giant iron oxen from the Tang Dynasty, weighing over ten thousand kilograms**. These iron oxen and figures were the bridge piers of the ancient Pujin Bridge. Their sheer size, weight, number, and exquisite craftsmanship are breathtaking, earning them the title of national treasure. Standing before these millennia-old artifacts, I couldn't help but marvel at the wisdom and creativity of the ancients.
4. **Climbing and Enjoying the Scenery at Wulaofeng**
Wulaofeng is a national forest park, where the autumn leaves are particularly vibrant and dazzling. I participated in the park's **first Tai Chi Culture Festival**, experiencing Tai Chi performances, health classes, and an immersive "Tai Chi + Mountain and Water" experience. Reaching the summit, the breathtaking scenery of every tree in autumn colors and every mountain bathed in the glow of the setting sun unfolded before my eyes.
🍜 **Food Recommendations**
The food in Yongji kept me stuffed every day:
- **Beef Dumplings**: I recommend Xiaoxue Beef Dumplings, Caifeng Green Dumpling Restaurant, and Liu Jie Beef Dumplings, all well-known local dumpling restaurants.
- **Shuiyukou Ancient Village Food Street**: Here you'll find various specialty restaurants, such as Shunxiang Fried Dough Sticks, Thousand-Layer Vegetable Boxes, Min Dou Noodles, and Jishan Pancakes… each exuding a rich local flavor.
- **Lamb and Carrot Stew**: It tastes like lamb stew with bread, but it's filled with shredded bread; the flavor is incredibly rich.
🏨 **Accommodation Recommendations**
- **Pushe·Nangu Li Homestay**: Located in Nanshan Park, with an elegant environment.
- **Yaowangtai Yunshang Homestay**: Located within the Yaowangtai Scenic Area, offering a mountain living experience.
- **Dianji Hotel**: A very cost-effective option.
💡 **Practical Information**
**Best Time to Visit**: Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to visit Yongji, with pleasant weather. The autumn foliage at Wulaofeng Peak is stunning, especially around October.
**Transportation**:
- **High-Speed Rail**: Take the high-speed rail to Yongji North Station.
- **Driving**: Yongji's attractions are relatively spread out, so driving is a convenient option.
**Recommended Itinerary**:
- **One-Day Tour**: Stork Tower → Pujiu Temple → Pujindu Ruins
- **Two-Day Tour**: Day 1: Wulaofeng Peak → Wuxing Lake Wetland → Museum + Folk Custom Exhibition Hall; Day 2: Yaowangtai → Pujiu Temple → Pujindu Ruins Museum → Stork Tower
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Every day in Yongji, I was immersed in a sea of history and culture. By day, I wandered among ancient buildings, feeling the weight of history; by night, I savored authentic Shanxi cuisine and experienced the warmth and hospitality of the locals. This city not only boasts a glorious history but also amazing food and unique cultural experiences.
If you're looking for a travel destination that blends history and nature, culture and cuisine, then Yongji is definitely the perfect choice! This city, steeped in history, will surely leave you wanting more and with unforgettable travel memories.
**Feel free to share your Yongji experience or ask questions in the comments section! 👇**