Xiyang County Travel

Xiyang County, Jinzhong, Shanxi—a red-soil land and scenic paradise on the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains. Centered around Dazhai Village (birthplace of the "Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture" campaign), Northern Wei Shima Temple, Hutou Mountain, and Huang'anbeng Scenic Area, it integrates red culture, grotto art, and Taihang landscapes. A 3-day 2-night deep dive unlocks the dual charm of the pioneering spirit and natural wonders.

60+
Years of Dazhai Spirit Legacy
1
National 4A Scenic Spot (Dazhai)
10+
Core Attractions
12+
Local Delicacies

Explore Districts & Counties of Jinzhong

Dazhai Village, Xiyang County, Jinzhong City
Dazhai Village – Landmark of Red Memory
A National 4A Scenic Spot and the birthplace of the "Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture" campaign. The village preserves the Dazhai Exhibition Hall, former residence of Chen Yonggui, and Langwozhang Terraced Fields. It showcases the spirit of "Self-Reliance and Hard Struggle" of the Xiyang people and stands as a living museum of China's agricultural development.

3-Day 2-Night Xiyang Red Culture & Landscape Tour

Visit Dazhai's revolutionary sites, explore ancient grottoes, ascend the Taihang Mountains, savor Xiyang flavors, and unlock the beauty of red memories and natural scenery.

Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Dazhai Village, Hutou Mountain, Shima Temple, Huang'anbeng Scenic Area, Xiyang Ancient City
Ideal For
Red culture enthusiasts, history researchers, nature explorers, study groups, hiking lovers
Budget Per Person
¥500–¥1,000
01
Red Memory
Dazhai Village · Dazhai Exhibition Hall · Hutou Mountain · Langwozhang Terraces
Daily Highlights

Morning: Visit Dazhai Village to feel the red revolutionary spirit. Tour the Exhibition Hall to systematically understand the history of struggle. Afternoon: Climb Hutou Mountain for panoramic terrace views. Explore Langwozhang Terraces to witness the feat of transforming nature.

Attractions
Dazhai Village
A National 4A Scenic Spot and the birthplace of the "Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture" campaign. The village preserves structures like Chen Yonggui's Former Residence, traditional dwellings, and the Dazhai Auditorium. Surrounded by terraced fields, it showcases the "Self-Reliance and Hard Struggle" spirit of the Xiyang people—a model of integrating red tourism with rural revitalization.
Dazhai Exhibition Hall
A thematic museum showcasing Dazhai's development history, divided into sections like "Hard Times," "Struggle Process," and "Reform & Development." Through artifacts, photos, and videos, it recreates the history of Dazhai people battling nature. Artifacts like farm tools used by Chen Yonggui and meeting documents hold immense historical value.
Hutou Mountain
A landmark peak behind Dazhai Village, named for its tiger-head shape. Features include the Premier Zhou Memorial Pavilion, Guo Moruo Monument, and Hutou Mountain Forest Park. The summit offers panoramic views of the Dazhai terraces, revealing the dramatic transformation of the "Seven Gullies, Eight Ridges, One Slope" landscape.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Dazhai Village Homestays (Red Theme)
  • Hotels in Xiyang County
  • Farm Stays near Hutou Mountain
Food Recommendations
  • Xiyang Lamian Noodles
  • Minqu Noodles
  • Hanging Oven Sesame Cakes
  • Dazhai Black Pork
  • Caijiao (Vegetable Dumplings)
Travel Tips
  • Hire a local guide at Dazhai Village (¥60/session) for vivid historical stories
  • Hutou Mountain hike takes ~1.5 hours; wear comfortable sneakers
  • Photography is prohibited inside the Exhibition Hall; respect preservation rules
02
Ancient Mysteries
Shima Temple · Xiyang Ancient City · Lixiang Temple · Night View
Daily Highlights

Morning: Visit Shima Temple to admire Northern Wei grottoes and stone carvings. Afternoon: Stroll through Xiyang Ancient City to experience old street charm. Explore Lixiang Temple to enjoy the tranquility of an ancient monastery. Evening: Return to the county seat to rest.

Attractions
Shima Temple
Built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and named after two Tang Dynasty stone-carved horses. It integrates grottoes, temples, and stone carvings, preserving 5 grottoes and over 300 statues from the Northern Wei to Tang Dynasties. The "Three-Life Buddhas" feature plump faces and flowing robes, hailed as the "Gem of Taihang Grotto Art."
Xiyang Ancient City
Founded in the Song Dynasty, it retains its Ming-Qing "Cross Street" layout. Preserved structures include ancient dwellings, shops, and remnants of the county government office. East Street concentrates time-honored shops and Ming Dynasty city wall sections—a vital witness to Xiyang's historical changes.
Lixiang Temple
Built during the Jin Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. The Mahavira Hall is a Ming structure housing Qing Dynasty murals and wooden Buddha statues. The "Five Hundred Arhats" mural is rich in color and varied in expression, serving as important material for studying Northern Buddhist art.
Practical Info
Transportation
  • County bus from Dazhai to Shima Temple (~30 mins)
  • Xiyang Ancient City is in the county center; walkable or short taxi ride
  • Lixiang Temple is 25 km away; self-driving or charter recommended
Tickets
  • Dazhai Exhibition Hall: ¥40
  • Shima Temple: ¥30
  • Lixiang Temple: ¥20
  • Hutou Mountain: Free
Travel Tips
  • Stone carvings at Shima Temple are severely weathered; do not touch
  • Try hand-pulled noodles at the "Time-Honored Noodle Shop" in the ancient city
  • Lixiang Temple sees fewer tourists; ideal for quiet mural appreciation
03
Landscape Leisure
Huang'anbeng Scenic Area · Longyan Grand Canyon · Specialty Shopping · Return Trip
Daily Highlights

Morning: Experience the grandeur of the Taihang Mountains at Huang'anbeng Scenic Area. Afternoon: Explore the geological wonders of Longyan Grand Canyon. Evening: Shop for local specialties at the county market before concluding your Xiyang journey.

Attractions
Huang'anbeng Scenic Area
Located in the middle section of the Taihang Mountains, it is the highest peak in Xiyang (1,774 m). Known for "peculiar peaks, strange rocks, secluded valleys, and verdant pines," it features sea of clouds, ten-thousand-acre pine forests, and cliffside plank roads. A natural paradise for summit views and summer retreats, offering vistas spanning the Shanxi-Hebei border.
Longyan Grand Canyon
A typical Taihang gorge featuring waterfalls, deep pools, and karst caves. The narrowest part of the "Thread of Sky" section allows only one person to pass. A paradise for geology enthusiasts and hikers seeking adventure amidst majestic and secluded landscapes.
Xiyang Specialty Market
A market specializing in local products like Xiyang Lamian, Minqu Noodles, and Dazhai Black Pork. Home to several time-honored brands, it is the best place to buy vacuum-packed delicacies and red-themed souvenirs.
Practical Info
Experience Programs
  • Huang'anbeng Mountain Hiking (~4 hours round trip; bring snacks)
  • Longyan Grand Canyon Exploration (Group recommended; wear non-slip shoes)
  • Hand-Pulled Noodle Making (Time-honored shops, ¥40/person)
  • Dazhai Red-Themed Photography
Souvenirs
  • Xiyang Lamian (Vacuum-packed)
  • Dazhai Black Pork (Gift boxes)
  • Hanging Oven Sesame Cakes
  • Red Souvenirs (Commemorative albums, sculptures)
  • Xiyang Millet
Return Trip Guide
  • Xiyang is ~140 km from Taiyuan; ~2 hours by car
  • Xiyang Railway Station has trains to Taiyuan and Shijiazhuang
  • The specialty market offers shipping services to avoid luggage overweight fees

Must-Try Foods in Xiyang

Xiyang Lamian Noodles

The signature noodle dish of Xiyang, hand-pulled to uniform thickness with a delightfully chewy texture. Served with local minced meat sauce (pork or lamb), the broth is rich and savory. Known for the techniques of "stretching, pulling, and swinging," it is celebrated as "One strand of noodles travels the world" and serves as both a daily staple and a delicacy for guests.

Minqu Noodles

A Xiyang specialty snack made from buckwheat or wheat flour, pressed through a special "Min bed" into boiling water. Resembling thin noodles, it is typically served with pickled vegetable gravy or meat sauce. Soft, glutinous, and easy to digest, it is a healthy coarse grain dish known as the "Healthy Noodles Beneath the Taihang Mountains."

Hanging Oven Sesame Cakes

A traditional Xiyang pastry made from flour, sesame seeds, salt, or sugar, baked in a specially hung oven. Crispy outside and soft inside, it offers a savory or sweet flavor. Once a portable ration for Dazhai workers, it is now a popular street snack.

Dazhai Black Pork

A Xiyang specialty named after the black pigs raised in Dazhai and surrounding mountainous areas. The meat is firm and aromatic, ideal for braised pork or sausages. Hailed as the "Black Pearl of the Taihang Mountains," it is a banquet delicacy available in vacuum-packed gift boxes.

Xiyang Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Apr–May): Flowers bloom on Hutou Mountain and Huang'anbeng—ideal for hiking
  • Autumn (Sep–Oct): Colorful foliage in the Taihang Mountains with cool, pleasant weather
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Huang'anbeng and Longyan Grand Canyon offer perfect summer retreats
Must-Try Foods
  • Xiyang Lamian (Recommended: "Time-Honored Noodle Shop" in the county)
  • Minqu Noodles (Freshly made at farmhouse restaurants)
  • Hanging Oven Sesame Cakes (Best fresh from street vendors)
  • Dazhai Black Pork (Braised pork style)
  • Caijiao (Vegetable Dumplings)
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: ~¥100
  • Accommodation: ¥100–¥220/night
  • Meals: ¥50–¥90/day
  • Transport: ¥60–¥100 (incl. charter/self-drive)
  • Total: ¥500–¥1,000
FAQs
  • Does Dazhai Village retain its original appearance? → Core areas preserved with modern rural integration; stark contrast between old and new
  • Is Huang'anbeng difficult to climb? → Moderate difficulty; some steep sections require good physical fitness
  • Are the stone horses at Shima Temple authentic? → Yes, they are genuine Tang Dynasty stone carvings and iconic relics
  • How does Xiyang Lamian differ from Taiyuan Lamian? → Xiyang Lamian emphasizes chewiness, often using local black pork gravy