Top 50 Best Things to Do near Zizhou

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Qikou Ancient Town is located 48 kilometers south of Linxian County, Luliang City, Shanxi Province. It is located in the middle of the Yellow River Jinshan Gorge. It is named after the Datong Qi of the Yellow River. It is an important commercial town on the Yellow River waterway and enjoys the reputation of "the first town of the nine-bend Yellow River". The prosperity of Qikou Ancient Town began in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Due to the dangers of the Datong Qi of the Yellow River, it became a transit station for the waterway on the northern mainstream of the Yellow River. In its heyday, there were as many as 150 ships coming and going at Qikou Wharf every day, and more than 300 service shops of various types. The ancient town is one of the birthplaces of Shanxi merchants. It preserves a large number of buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, including commercial buildings such as warehouses, ticket houses, pawnshops, as well as temples, houses, docks, etc. These ancient buildings show the artistic charm of Ming and Qing architecture. The ancient town is located on the Luliang Mountain and borders the Yellow River. The Yellow River and the Qiushui River meet here, forming a magnificent picture of "tiger roaring in the Yellow River and dragon chanting in Qikou". The Black Dragon Temple is one of the landmark buildings of the ancient town. The temple is built on the mountain and integrates nature and humanities. In addition, Lijiashan Village is known as the "Potala Palace on the Loess Plateau". Its three-dimensional and integrated vernacular architecture makes people feel like they are in a painting. The national intangible cultural heritage - Linxian Dasuona will bring you an auditory feast. The large-scale live-action drama "Dream Qikou" combines history with reality, allowing you to feel the inheritance and development of the spirit of Shanxi merchants. Tickets: Free. Opening hours: All day.

M52***83

Hongshi Gorge is located 3 kilometers north of Yulin, Shaanxi Province. It is named after the red rocks on the mountain. The excavation of Hongshi Gorge can be traced back to the Song and Yuan Dynasties. It was once the territory of the Western Xia Kingdom. In the Ming Dynasty, Hongshi Gorge became an important military fortress due to its dangerous geographical location and was closely connected with the Great Wall. In the modern revolutionary struggle in northern Shaanxi, Hongshi Gorge played an important role and became one of the important revolutionary activity sites of the CPC Central Committee in northern Shaanxi. The cliffs on both sides of the river valley are covered with cliff carvings and caves. There are more than 160 stone carvings in total, including regular script, cursive script, official script and seal script, which are called "Forest of Steles on the Frontier".

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This is a similar landform that has become very popular in China in recent years, known as China's Wave Valley. Formed during the Cretaceous period, 96 million years ago, it is also composed of red sandstone eroded by wind and water. Its lines and textures are strikingly similar to the Wave Valley in the United States, but its overall color is predominantly ochre-red. The scenic area is divided into several zones, such as Flame Danxia, ​​Red Cliff Danxia, ​​and Earth Core Danxia. Wave Valley can be combined with Red Stone Gorge and Zhenbeitai in Yulin, as well as Xiangshawan in Ordos, to create a scenic and historical tour of northern Shaanxi and southern Inner Mongolia. Tour duration: 4 hours or more

WH1962

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."

洪虹

We left Guangsheng Temple and drove to Xiaoxitian. What should have been a smooth two-hour drive turned into a road construction trip less than 20 minutes from our destination. After much detours, it took us nearly three hours to finally arrive at Xiaoxitian in Xi County. Xiaoxitian is like a magical treasure box, containing a vast world within a small room. In this mere 169.6 square meters, our eyes couldn't take it all in; we were completely immersed, reluctant to leave. We also followed wave after wave of tourists, listening to their explanations intermittently. From the very beginning, the hall was packed with people, and we stayed until evening when the crowds gradually dispersed before finally leaving. This wondrous journey to Xiaoxitian was truly unforgettable.

东篱把酒@

On a crisp autumn morning, I once again stepped into the Ganquan Grand Canyon. The morning light slanted into the Birch Gully, making the ochre and dark green veins on the rock walls resemble ancient verses ablaze. As a seasoned visitor, I've witnessed its transformation from a pristine, hidden paradise into a place that blends wildness and warmth. Compared to my last visit, I noticed the scenic area has made significant efforts to enhance the experience: 1. Cultural revitalization, breaking the monotony. The lively and enthusiastic Shaanxi folk dance in front of the visitor center, and the skillful finger movements of the inheritors at the intangible cultural heritage paper-cutting stalls—these added a cultural touch, allowing the geological wonders to be heard before they were seen; 2. Concrete services, ensuring peace of mind. Clear signage and staff on key routes reduced the anxiety of exploring the diverse canyons like Longba Gully and Mudan Gully, allowing for a more relaxed experience; 3. Inclusive policies, demonstrating sincerity. The free admission policy, covering children, the elderly, journalists, and other groups, along with the rise of guesthouses and farmhouses run by villagers, such as "Fengmeizi Courtyard," allows tourists to experience the Loess Plateau's charm more deeply and has genuinely boosted the income of local villagers. Travel Tips: If time is limited, Birch Valley is a must-see, especially the 300-meter stretch of scenery that is particularly classic, with its streams, green moss, and ever-changing light and shadow. It's recommended to avoid the morning rush on holidays to better appreciate the valley's tranquility. Based on my observation, weekdays are a better time to visit. You can also try the guesthouses run by local villagers or sample local delicacies such as potato pancakes and mixed noodles to experience authentic Shaanxi flavors. A small suggestion for operators: Currently, tourism products are still somewhat monotonous, with "valley sightseeing" dominating the market. Consider combining resources such as Laoshan National Forest Park to develop in-depth products like ecological health and wellness and geological research to extend tourists' stay. There is still room for improvement in tourism infrastructure; for example, road congestion and parking difficulties still occur during holidays. The cultural significance of the valley has not yet been fully explored. Beyond the natural scenery, consider adding brief explanatory signs about the formation of Danxia landforms and the ecological protection of the canyon at suitable locations to enhance the depth of the visit. The beauty of Ganquan Grand Canyon lies not only in its breathtaking natural landscape, but also in its efforts to make this beauty more inclusive and approachable. If the attractions and experiences can be further enriched and deepened, this "Chinese Antelope Canyon" will undoubtedly offer travelers an even more profound experience.

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Hukou Waterfall, the second largest waterfall in China and the world's largest yellow waterfall, is renowned for its magnificent spectacle, described as "the Yellow River flowing for a thousand miles, all contained in a single pot." A visit here is definitely worthwhile!

M26***62

Generally speaking, the main waterfall is best viewed from the west side of Hukou Waterfall, offering a more direct and beautiful view. On the Shaanxi side, there are steps leading down from a height halfway down the waterfall, which also provides a good vantage point for photos. The shuttle bus takes 15 minutes one way, but departures are infrequent due to the off-season. When I visited in early December, there were fewer visitors and lower water levels, so the Yellow River wasn't yellow. Some sections of the riverbank were frozen.

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The Wang Family Compound is an outstanding example of Qing Dynasty residential architecture in China. Located in Jingsheng Town, Lingshi County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, it was built by the Jingsheng Wang family, descendants of the Taiyuan Wang clan, over a period of approximately 300 years, from the Kangxi to the Jiaqing reigns. It is hailed as "China's First Residence of Folk Architecture," "China's Folk Palace," and "Shanxi's Forbidden City." Its grand scale covers an area of ​​250,000 square meters, encompassing five alleys, five forts, and five ancestral halls. Currently, it contains 231 courtyards and 2,078 rooms. The open area centers on the three major architectural complexes of Gaojiaya (Phoenix), Hongmenbao (Dragon), and Chongningbao (Tiger), showcasing the traditional "front hall, rear chamber" layout and the overall "王" (Wang) shaped design.

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Zhangbi Ancient Castle, a national key cultural relics protection unit in Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province, is famous for its military defense system and astronomical culture. Below is a travel guide. Must-See Highlights: Underground Tunnels: A three-layered structure (upper level for sentry duty, middle level for troop deployment, lower level for food storage). 1500 meters of the tunnels are currently open to the public, containing ancient military facilities such as horse kilns, command kilns, and communication tubes. Wearing non-slip shoes is recommended. Glazed Glass Art: The peacock blue glazed glass stele (Ming Dynasty tricolor glazed glass decoration) at the Kongwang Buddha Temple is one of only two remaining in the country. The Erlang Temple Glazed Glass Exhibition Hall displays glazed glass statues of the twelve zodiac animals and the twenty-eight constellations. Locust Tree Embracing Willow: A thousand-year-old locust tree with a hollowed-out willow branch symbolizes vitality and is a landmark of the castle. Astrological Layout: The castle is designed according to the twenty-eight constellations. The north gate corresponds to "Bi" (壁) constellation, and the south gate corresponds to "Zhang" (张) constellation. Climbing the city wall offers a panoramic view of the "Star Village".