Lan County, Luliang, Shanxi — an ecological pearl on the northern Shanxi plateau, integrating Bailong Mountain Buddhist and Taoist culture, Yinma Lake grassland charm, and flour sculpture intangible cultural heritage art, blending mountain-water beauty with folk heritage. A 3-day 2-night in-depth tour decodes Lan County's diverse charm and experiences the unique customs where the Loess Plateau meets the grassland transition zone.
Climb Dragon Mountain to pray, roam the grassland to sing, admire flour sculpture artistry, taste a potato feast, unlock the beauty of Lan County's nature and intangible cultural heritage
Morning climb Bailong Mountain to worship at Bailong Temple, visit the thousand-year-old ancient pine and Dragon Cave wonders. Afternoon explore the Flour Sculpture Cultural Park to appreciate intangible cultural heritage charm. Evening stroll through the county town food street to taste Lan County flavors.
Morning gallop across Yinma Lake Grassland on horseback, experiencing grassland customs. Afternoon visit the Fenhe River source to feel the clarity of the "Mother River". Evening tour the Xiurong Ancient City ruins. Night stay on the grassland watching stars.
Morning visit the Potato Expo Garden to learn about cultivation history. Afternoon stroll through Puming Town Ancient Street to experience northern Shanxi folk customs, try flour sculpture handcrafting. Evening head to the specialty market to purchase potato products, oat noodles and other souvenirs.
Lan County's signature cuisine, using local high-quality potatoes to create 18 different dishes including frying, stewing, steaming, and deep-frying. Dishes include "Golden Beans Blooming" (fried potato balls), "Silver Powder Dew" (potato vermicelli soup), "Mashed Potato Mixed with Oat Noodles", etc. Rich in texture and balanced in nutrition, it is praised as "one potato tastes a hundred flavors".
Lan County traditional noodle dish, made by rolling oat flour into honeycomb-shaped small nests, steamed and served with lamb sauce or tomato sauce. Chewy texture, easy to digest, a staple food for northern Shanxi mountain residents, rich in dietary fiber.
Lan County summer specialty snack, made from yellow millet with red dates and raisins added, steamed and refrigerated, cut into pieces and drizzled with honey. Soft, sticky, sweet and refreshing, it is a festive and hospitality delicacy.
Made with local potato vermicelli as the main ingredient, the broth is prepared with mountain sour fruits and chili peppers, supplemented with tofu, meatballs and other ingredients. Sour and appetizing, moderately spicy and sour, it is a common street snack that is affordable and delicious.