Kelan County Tourism
Shanxi Xinzhou Kelan County — a red sacred land and ecological paradise, integrating Kelan Ancient City, the Mao Zedong Residence Hall, Heye Ping, and North Screen Mountain, blending red culture with natural ecology. A 2-day-1-night in-depth tour decoding the essence of Kelan's red memory, appreciating the unique charm of ancient cityscapes and alpine scenery.
Explore Tourism in Xinzhou Districts and Counties
Kelan County 2-Day-1-Night Red Memory & Ecology Journey
Visit Kelan Ancient City to find historical imprints, tour the Mao Zedong Residence Hall to recall red years, climb Heye Ping to view alpine meadows, ascend North Screen Mountain for panoramic views of Kelan
Tour Kelan Ancient City in the morning to feel the historical heritage of a thousand-year-old city. Visit the Mao Zedong Residence Hall in the afternoon to recall the red revolutionary years. Stroll along the Lanyi River in the evening to enjoy the landscape.
- Kelan County Hotels
- Characteristic Inns in the Ancient City
- Riverside Resort Village
- Kelan Braised Mutton
- Buckwheat Kaolaolao
- Yellow Rice Oil Cake
- Mountain Mushroom Stir-fry
- Walking is recommended within the Ancient City
- Maintain solemnity at the Residence Hall
- The night view of Lanyi River is beautiful
Climb Heye Ping in the morning to view the magnificent alpine meadows of North China. Ascend North Screen Mountain in the afternoon for a panoramic view of Kelan. Purchase local specialties in the evening to conclude the red ecology journey.
- Self-driving or chartered car is required from the county town to Heye Ping
- North Screen Mountain is accessible by foot
- The Specialty Exhibition Center is in the city center
- Kelan Ancient City: Free
- Mao Zedong Residence Hall: Free
- Heye Ping: ¥30
- North Screen Mountain: Free
- Heye Ping is at high altitude; be prepared for cold weather
- Wear sneakers for climbing North Screen Mountain
- Kelan mutton is a must-buy specialty
Kelan County Must-Try Foods
Kelan Braised Mutton
A Kelan specialty dish, using local high-quality mutton, braised slowly with multiple spices. The meat is tender and the soup is rich and flavorful, with no gamey smell, making it the most representative traditional dish of the area.
Buckwheat Kaolaolao
A traditional noodle dish of Kelan, made from buckwheat flour shaped into cylinders and steamed, then served with mutton stew or tomato sauce. The texture is chewy and nutritious, a daily staple for locals.
Yellow Rice Oil Cake
A Kelan traditional snack, with yellow rice flour as the skin and red bean paste as the filling, deep-fried to perfection. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet but not greasy, it is an essential food for festivals and celebrations.
Mountain Mushroom Stir-fry
A Kelan specialty dish, made with local wild mountain mushrooms and pork. The mushrooms have a rich aroma, the meat is tender and fresh, and the taste is delicious — a purely natural green food.
- Summer (Jun-Aug): Best for escaping the heat, Heye Ping is lush and green
- Autumn (Sep-Oct): Clear skies and crisp air, best time for mountain climbing
- Spring for flower viewing, Winter for red culture experience
- Kelan Braised Mutton
- Buckwheat Kaolaolao
- Yellow Rice Oil Cake
- Mountain Mushroom Stir-fry
- Kelan Millet Porridge
- Tickets: Approx. ¥30
- Accommodation: ¥80-150/night
- Dining: ¥40-80/day
- Transportation: Approx. ¥30
- Total: ¥380-720
- Why did Chairman Mao stay in Kelan? → In 1948, during the strategic maneuver to northern Shaanxi, he passed through Kelan and made a short stop here
- What are the characteristics of Kelan Ancient City? → First built in the Tang Dynasty, renovated in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it is a well-preserved ancient city in northwest Shanxi
- Best time to visit Heye Ping? → June to August, when the meadow is at its greenest and wildflowers are in full bloom
- Why is Kelan mutton so delicious? → The local water and grass are abundant, resulting in tender meat with no gamey smell