Lvliang Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Qikou Ancient Town 🏰

Continuing our journey through the cultural wonders of China, let's explore Qikou Ancient Town, located at the western foot of Luliang Mountain in western Shanxi, on the bank of the Yellow River. 🏞️ This historic town, nestled at the southern tip of Linxian, has a rich heritage dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the Republic of China. 💫 Qikou Ancient Town flourished as a bustling trade center in the north, earning it the esteemed title of "the first town of the Yellow River," thanks to its strategic location along the Yellow River water transportation route. 🚢 It served as one of the birthplaces of Shanxi merchants, playing a pivotal role in the region's economic development. Today, Qikou Ancient Town boasts an abundance of well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, including warehouses, ticket offices, pawnshops, temples, residential houses, and docks. 🏛️ These architectural marvels offer a glimpse into the town's prosperous past and its significance as a hub of commerce and culture. What sets Qikou Ancient Town apart is its preservation of primitive and simple residents' life forms, earning it the endearing nickname "living ancient town." Visitors can immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere of a bygone era, experiencing the timeless charm of traditional Chinese life. 🏘️🌾 Explore the winding alleys, visit ancient temples, and marvel at the historic buildings that tell the story of Qikou Ancient Town's illustrious past. It's a journey through time that promises to captivate and inspire. ✨ #QikouAncientTown #ShanxiMerchants #YellowRiver #CulturalHeritage #TravelChina 🇨🇳

For the sake of Qikou Ancient Town, I made a special trip to Shanxi!

For the sake of Qikou Ancient Town, I made a special trip to Shanxi. Across the Yellow River is Shaanxi. The traffic in Lijiashan Village is controlled. We walked for two hours back and forth, but it's still worth it. Almost no one lives in the cave dwellings, they are almost abandoned.

Qikou - Lijiashan Village

As a fan of ancient towns, I have traveled through more than twenty large and small ancient towns across the country, and I didn't have much expectation before coming to Qikou. The biggest difference from the ancient towns I have visited before might be that it is located by the Yellow River! The most surprising part of this trip was Lijiashan Village. The cave dwellings on the loess plateau layer by layer, showing a unique Northwestern charm.

This lesser-known ancient town is more characteristic than Pingyao!

Near the well-known Pingyao, there is a hidden ancient town that surprised me, that is Qikou Ancient Town. Here, there are paddle sounds and lantern shadows, and the world's fireworks, which simply satisfy my fantasy of all ancient towns. If you can only go to one ancient town this year, then I strongly recommend you to come here. After the Spring Festival, the number of tourists gradually decreases, and the ancient town has been permanently opened for free, you can come here to play at any time! I suggest you stay in the ancient town for one more night, because only in the evening and early morning, after the tourists have dispersed, can you deeply feel the poetic and picturesque fireworks here. Ancient town name: Qikou Ancient Town Attraction location: Qikou Town, Lin County, Lvliang City Transportation: It is more convenient to drive by yourself, or you can take a taxi from the high-speed rail station. Travel strategy: My travel route is: Heilong Temple-West Bay Village-Lijia Mountain Village-Ancient Town History Museum-Chairman Mao's East Crossing of the Yellow River Monument-Qikou Ancient Ferry. Heilong Temple is the commanding height of the ancient town, overlooking the Yellow River; West Bay Village is famous for its unique houses; Lijia Mountain Village is one of the three major discoveries in the life of the famous painter Wu Guanzhong; the Ancient Town History Museum shows the history and culture of Qikou Ancient Town; Chairman Mao's East Crossing of the Yellow River Monument is a place of commemorative significance; Qikou Ancient Ferry is an important ferry on the Yellow River. Recommended food in Lvliang: Wrist rest Wipe tadpoles Hehe Lengzi Accommodation strategy: It is recommended to live in the ancient town, living by the water, in the early morning and night, this is the most fireworks-like place.

The 'Little Potala Palace' on the Loess Plateau, a great destination for cultural travel

The Li Family Mountain Residence is mainly composed of cave dwellings built against the mountain during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the Li family has been proliferating and living here for over 500 years. It became gradually known to outsiders in 1989 due to the paintings of the famous artist Wu Guanzhong and is known as the 'Little Potala Palace' on the Loess Plateau. Address: Lijiashan Village, Qikou Town, Lin County, Lvliang, Shanxi Transportation: Self-driving is recommended, or carpooling costs about 20 RMB per person from the Lvliang Monument Q. There are minibuses, but it is not recommended as it requires waiting for people and transferring twice along the way. Ticket: Free Little tips: The overall environment is relatively underdeveloped, and it takes about 2 hours to visit. No accommodation is needed, and a round trip within the same day is feasible. Wu Guanzhong's depicted paradise, the village is built against the loess slopes in a scattered and orderly fashion - a great place for cultural travel~

Lijiashan Village is a group of cave dwellings. It was discovered by famous painter Wu Guanzhong when he went to Lijiashan in October 1989. He was shocked by hundreds of thousands of caves in Lijiashan Village, he said.

The kiln cave building is a wonderful metaphor for the village in the ravine on the Loess Plateau, which is nearly 70 degrees on the hillside. A layer of cave dwellings was dug up on a layered platform. The households of one household live in the hillsides on both sides. Most of the people staying in the village today are white-haired old people. They often move a Mazar, sitting in front of their home, under the ravine. When the tourists came, they got up and sold their own red dates and other agricultural products in their own land. At other times, they looked quietly at the opposite side, facing the loess, and leaning back on the loess. So quiet and slow but with a visual impact, the contemporary art master Wu Guanzhong is full of praise. He called Li Jiashan "looking from the outside like a desolate Han tomb. Once inside, it is a very old cave. The ancient village is relatively closed, like a peach garden, such a village, such a house, all over the place. The world is hard to find" and listed it as one of the three major discoveries in life. There are two major roads to Lijiashan. After crossing the Qilin River Kirin Bridge, you will see a mountain road on the left hand side. When you encounter all the intersections along the road, choose the road on the right and you will reach the top of Lijiashan in about 1 hour. Or follow the road along the Yellow Highway and see the brand of the national historical and cultural village of Lijiashan. Walk here on the mountain road and reach the bottom of Lijiashan Village.

Shanxi Longquangou, living as a hermit on the mountain

Pangquangou Forest Park, you won't regret going there, I must recommend it to everyone. Pangquangou Nature Reserve is a place of clear mountains and waters in the vast Loess Plateau, and is the habitat of protected animals such as leopards and brown pheasants. Compared with other forest parks we have visited, it is more primitive and pure, with no traces of artificial development except for wooden plank roads and dirt roads, and the management is also very extensive, so dogs can be brought for play. At the east gate of the village, you can see a bridge leading to a mountain gully, which is a wild scenic spot. We really like this place, there are many cows eating grass and resting on the hillside at the entrance, after entering, we walk along the creek, basically no climbing, moss, dead wood, and random stones constitute a very special primitive forest scene, other tourists say there are monkeys. We let the dog run for a while after making sure no one was around, the cool weather made the dog very happy. The stream is shallow, and dogs who like water can play in the water at will. The road from Yangchitai Village to Badaogou is narrow with many large trucks, it is only 1.5 lanes but two-way traffic, frequent reversing and wrong-way driving, testing driving skills. It is recommended not to drive wide vehicles.

Autumn Tour Pang Quangou | The October of each year is the best viewing period for the autumn of Pangquangou, so we drove to the Pangquangou National Nature Reserve. In the autumn, Pangquangou, mist concealing, Akita splendid, layered forest, dyed, colorful, dreamlike. Along the way, many cattle in groups have passed through, and some have walked on the golden grasses; some are still leisurely and dignified and stand still; others are quietly drinking water at the stream. So quiet, an idyllic landscape is in front of us.

Eleven travel

Flowers are blooming everywhere, where should I go to enjoy the flowers first?

🌸 Flowers are blooming everywhere, where should I go to enjoy the flowers first?||| This year's spring indeed arrived a bit late, and flowers all over Changchun have started to bloom one after another. Where can we go to enjoy the flowers in the near future (mid to late April)? Popular spots🔥🔥🔥 🌸 Jilin University Nanling Campus: The Jilin University Apricot Flower Festival will be held on April 21st. This year is the ninth edition, and I haven't been there yet. I heard there will be a series of activities and some stalls, which should be particularly lively. 🌸 Yitong River banks: On the west bank of the Yitong River, starting from Nanhu Avenue Zhihe Square to Satellite Road, there is a flower road lined with peach blossoms (peach trees) that have already started to bloom. Sakura Island is also here, but the flowers on the island will take a few more days. If you follow the road all the way past Satellite Road, you will reach the Industrial Trajectory Park, which is a nice camping site🏕️ 💐 Other flower viewing spots: Changchun Zoo and Botanical Garden Baihuayuan Xinghua Village Park …… 👏 Welcome to add more

Free public transportation! Fenyang, an ancient city with a thousand years of stories!

💥Did you know? The public transportation system in Fenyang is completely free! For those of us who love shopping and exploring, this is such great news! It covers all the scenic spots and the train station within the city, making our visit to this ancient city both easy and economical!💐 🏰Fenyang, a city with a history of over 1700 years as a provincial capital, is truly a treasure trove! Every step you take is on the imprint of history, and every corner hides ancient stories. The Apricot Flower Village Fen Liquor Workshop, Taifu Temple, Wenfeng Pagoda... These historical sites are all worth savoring in detail. ✨Taifu Temple is a particularly low-key place, but once you enter, you will be deeply attracted by its charm. The Ming Dynasty glazed dragons and the colorful suspended clay sculptures are simply treasures of art! Although there are not many tourists usually, this is just perfect, as we can appreciate it quietly, undisturbed.😍 🌸Wenfeng Pagoda is even more a symbolic building of Fenyang. In spring, when the apricot blossoms are in full bloom, they form an interesting contrast with the Wenfeng Pagoda, like a vivid scroll of painting. Standing under the tower, it's as if you can hear the breath of history and feel the passage of time. 🎨There's also the Hou Tu Holy Mother Temple, which may not be very famous, but the Ming Dynasty murals inside are truly unique! The murals on the east, west, and north walls, such as 'Banquet Picture', 'Royal Inspection Picture', and 'Welcoming Picture', are each painted with meticulous brushwork and gold leaf, dazzling to the eyes and eliciting continuous admiration.🙌 🏯Of course, the Bao'en Temple, Christian Church, Fenyang Guandi Temple, and so on in the old streets of Fenyang are also must-visit spots. Especially the Fenyang Nanxun Building, did you know? This was a filming location for the movie 'Mountains May Depart'! Standing here, it feels as if you can experience the emotions and stories from the movie.🎥 💥Overall, the city of Fenyang not only has convenient transportation but also a profound historical heritage and rich cultural relics. Every visit brings new discoveries and new emotions. If you also love history and culture, you must come and see Fenyang!👣

The shepherd boy points to the Apricot Blossom Village from afar

The most beautiful apricot blossom forest in Shanxi is all in Apricot Blossom Village. 📢The sixth Fenjiu Apricot Blossom Festival has opened in the Fenjiu Cultural Scenic Area. Fenjiu is a must-drink for all major events. I've been here several times and really love the aroma of the liquor in the air. This time, it's not just about sharing the fun, but also teaching everyone how to have fun here, without missing out on the culture and experience. Route: Tourist Center (buy tickets) ➡️ Take the electric car to Fenjiu Museum ➡️ Drunken Immortal Residence Shepherd Boy Points to Apricot Blossom Village ➡️ Fenjiu Cultural Scenic Area Apricot Forest ➡️ Fenjiu Cultural Scenic Area Drunken Immortal Tower ➡️ Fenjiu Cultural Scenic Area China Fenjiu Calligraphy and Painting Academy ➡️ Fenjiu Cultural Scenic Area Drunken Immortal Lake Fenjiu Museum: Here you can find the origin of brewing, the earliest brewing utensils (cultural relics), and the earliest form of Fenjiu. Fenjiu participated in the international brewing competition for the first time, and there are also ink treasures written by literati and poets. The most famous is that the Fenjiu Museum has works by four Aixinjueluo painters and calligraphers. I have previously introduced Qigong, Pu Jie, and Shaman Weng in detail. The fourth is Jin Yian. You can also watch the ancient brewing process of Fenjiu up close, as well as taste Baiyu Fenjiu, Rose Fenjiu, Bamboo Leaf Green, and Fenjiu. After leaving the museum and arriving at the Drunken Immortal Residence, you can see the most famous sculpture of the shepherd boy pointing to the Apricot Blossom Village, and you can also see the ancient well where Fenjiu was first brewed, as well as well water. The Fenjiu Apricot Blossom Festival also has performances. 🌸Next, it's time to take a lot of beautiful photos. Once you arrive at the Fenjiu Cultural Scenic Area, it includes all the remaining attractions on my route map. This is a large park with apricot forests, lakes, grasslands, academies, and ancient buildings. The wind blows gently, and a rain of apricot blossoms falls, how romantic. 📷Photo spots: There are apricot forests here, you can step on the grass or sit on the grass, you can also take photos here with the kite, or in the pink scene set up here, walk and shoot all the way. 👗Outfit suggestions: You can wear pink clothes, full of spring atmosphere, or choose green tones, full of forest style, light-colored clothes can give a high-end magazine feel in minutes.👘 You can also transform into a Hanfu little sister, holding an oil-paper umbrella and walking in the apricot blossom rain, you are the heroine of the costume drama. 📍Location: Northwest 350 meters from the intersection of Taibai Road and Jiudu Avenue, Apricot Blossom Village Town, Fenyang City, Lvliang City, Shanxi Province Ticket: 60 🚗Driving: It takes about 1 hour to drive from Taiyuan on the highway

Free public transportation! Fenyang, an ancient city with a thousand years of stories!

💥Did you know? The public transportation system in Fenyang is completely free! For those of us who love shopping and exploring, this is such great news! It covers all the scenic spots and the train station within the city, making our visit to this ancient city both easy and economical!💐 🏰Fenyang, a city with a history of over 1700 years as a provincial capital, is truly a treasure trove! Every step you take is on the imprint of history, and every corner hides ancient stories. The Apricot Flower Village Fen Liquor Workshop, Taifu Temple, Wenfeng Pagoda... These historical sites are all worth savoring in detail. ✨Taifu Temple is a particularly low-key place, but once you enter, you will be deeply attracted by its charm. The Ming Dynasty glazed dragons and the colorful suspended clay sculptures are simply treasures of art! Although there are not many tourists usually, this is just perfect, as we can appreciate it quietly, undisturbed.😍 🌸Wenfeng Pagoda is even more a symbolic building of Fenyang. In spring, when the apricot blossoms are in full bloom, they form an interesting contrast with the Wenfeng Pagoda, like a vivid scroll of painting. Standing under the tower, it's as if you can hear the breath of history and feel the passage of time. 🎨There's also the Hou Tu Holy Mother Temple, which may not be very famous, but the Ming Dynasty murals inside are truly unique! The murals on the east, west, and north walls, such as 'Banquet Picture', 'Royal Inspection Picture', and 'Welcoming Picture', are each painted with meticulous brushwork and gold leaf, dazzling to the eyes and eliciting continuous admiration.🙌 🏯Of course, the Bao'en Temple, Christian Church, Fenyang Guandi Temple, and so on in the old streets of Fenyang are also must-visit spots. Especially the Fenyang Nanxun Building, did you know? This was a filming location for the movie 'Mountains May Depart'! Standing here, it feels as if you can experience the emotions and stories from the movie.🎥 💥Overall, the city of Fenyang not only has convenient transportation but also a profound historical heritage and rich cultural relics. Every visit brings new discoveries and new emotions. If you also love history and culture, you must come and see Fenyang!👣

Shanxi not only has Fenjiu and mature vinegar, but also Fenyang Haotian Jade Emperor Tai Fu Temple.

Shanxi not only has Fenjiu and mature vinegar, but also Fenyang Haotian Jade Emperor Tai Fu Temple. Shanxi Province, Fenyang City, Xinghua Village, during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period 1500 years ago. As a royal wine, Fenjiu was highly praised by Emperor Wu of Northern Qi. It was recorded in the Twenty-Four Histories, making Fenjiu famous overnight and earning it the reputation of being the earliest national wine. In addition to the national treasure Fenjiu with a history of 4000 years, Shanxi Fenyang also has many famous historical sites. In addition to the Nandong Tower built in the 13th year of Ming Hongzhi, and the Wenfeng Pagoda, which is the highest brick structure ancient pagoda in China, there is also the Haotian Yuhuang Tai Fu Temple, a Chinese key cultural relic protection unit from the Jin to Qing dynasties. The murals, colored sculptures, hanging sculptures, and steles of Taifu Temple in Fenyang, Shanxi contain rich Taoist content, and are also outstanding works of ancient Chinese art. Despite the wind and rain, they still shine brilliantly and occupy an important position in the ancient architecture of Shanxi.