Yuanping City Tourism

Shanxi Xinzhou Yuanping City — Sacred Land of Stone Drums and Home of Hot Springs, integrating Tianya Mountain, Shigu Temple, Daying Hot Spring, and Huiji Temple, blending landscape wonders with Buddhist culture. A 2-day-1-night in-depth tour decoding the essence of Yuanping's landscape and culture, appreciating the unique charm of stone drum wonders and hot spring wellness.

1500+

Years of Shigu Temple History

4A Scenic Areas

Core Attractions

12+

Local Delicacies

Explore Tourism in Xinzhou Districts and Counties

Tianya Mountain - Stone Drum Wonder

Yuanping's Tianya Mountain is famous for its unique stone drum landscape. The main peak, Lotus Mountain, resembles a blooming lotus flower. The mountain features natural stone drums that produce sound when struck, earning it the title of "Northern Stone Forest."

Yuanping City 2-Day-1-Night Landscape & Culture Journey

Climb Tianya Mountain to admire stone drum wonders, visit Shigu Temple to experience Buddhist culture, soak in Daying Hot Spring for wellness, tour Huiji Temple to appreciate ancient architectural charm

                    
Duration
2 Days 1 Night

                    
Main Destinations
Tianya Mountain, Shigu Temple, Daying Hot Spring, Huiji Temple, Hutuo River Wetland

                    
Suitable For
Nature lovers, Buddhist culture enthusiasts, hot spring wellness seekers, photography enthusiasts

                    
Per Capita Budget
¥450-¥800

Stone Drum & Hot Spring

Tianya Mountain · Shigu Temple · Daying Hot Spring

Itinerary Highlights

Climb Tianya Mountain in the morning to admire the stone drum wonders and visit Shigu Temple to experience Buddhist culture; head to Daying Hot Spring in the afternoon to enjoy the wellness benefits of natural hot springs; taste Yuanping's specialty foods in the evening.

Attraction Arrangements

Tianya Mountain

A National 4A Scenic Area, famous for its unique stone drum landscape. The main peak, Lotus Mountain, resembles a blooming lotus flower. The mountain features natural stone drums that produce sound when struck, with towering peaks and bizarre rocks, earning it the title of "Northern Stone Forest."

Shigu Temple

Located within the Tianya Mountain Scenic Area, first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and named after the natural stone drum in front of the temple. The temple preserves stone tablets and Buddhist statues from successive dynasties, serving as an important venue for Buddhist cultural activities in Yuanping.

Daying Hot Spring

A renowned hot spring resort in Yuanping, with a water temperature of 42°C, rich in sulfur, lithium, strontium, and other minerals. It has excellent therapeutic effects on skin diseases and arthritis, making it an ideal place for leisure and wellness.

Practical Information

Accommodation Recommendations

Daying Hot Spring Resort Village
Yuanping City Hotels
Homestays near Tianya Mountain

Food Recommendations

Yuanping Guokui
Buckwheat Kaolaolao
Yellow Rice Oil Cake
Mutton Offal Soup

Travel Tips

Wear sneakers for climbing Tianya Mountain
You can experience drum-beating prayers at Shigu Temple
Avoid drinking alcohol before soaking in hot springs

Ancient Temple & Wetland

Huiji Temple · Hutuo River Wetland · Yuanping Ancient City · Return Journey

Itinerary Highlights

Visit Huiji Temple in the morning to admire Song Dynasty wooden architectural art; stroll through the Hutuo River Wetland in the afternoon to observe migratory birds and wetland ecology; tour Yuanping Ancient City in the evening to experience history and culture, purchase local specialties, and conclude the journey.

Attraction Arrangements

Huiji Temple

A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, first built during the Tang Dynasty, with the existing Great Hall being a Song Dynasty structure. The painted sculptures inside are exquisite, and the architectural structure is unique, serving as an important example for studying Song Dynasty wooden architecture.

Hutuo River Wetland

An important ecological wetland in Yuanping, where the Hutuo River forms a wide river滩 wetland with lush aquatic plants, serving as a habitat for various waterfowl. During the spring migratory season, large numbers of rare birds can be observed.

Yuanping Ancient City

An important bearer of Yuanping's history and culture, preserving ancient city wall ruins, historic streets, and traditional dwellings. The cultural relics and historic sites within the ancient city are rich, making it a living museum for understanding Yuanping's history and culture.

Practical Information

Transportation Guide

Buses run from the city center to Huiji Temple
Hutuo River Wetland is suitable for cycling tours
Self-driving or chartered car is recommended between attractions

Ticket Information

Tianya Mountain Scenic Area: ¥60
Shigu Temple: Included in Tianya Mountain ticket
Daying Hot Spring: ¥98
Huiji Temple: ¥30

Travel Tips

Flash photography is prohibited for painted sculptures at Huiji Temple
Maintain quiet when birdwatching in the wetland
Yuanping Guokui is a must-buy specialty

Yuanping City Must-Try Foods

Yuanping Guokui

A traditional famous pastry of Yuanping with a long history, made from refined flour, hemp seed oil, and white sugar through multiple baking processes. The color is golden, the texture is crispy, and the taste is sweet and delicious.

Buckwheat Kaolaolao

A specialty noodle dish of Yuanping, made from buckwheat flour shaped into cylinders and steamed, then served with mutton stew or tomato sauce. The texture is chewy and nutritious, a traditional favorite among locals.

Yellow Rice Oil Cake

A traditional snack of Yuanping, 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.

Yuanping Mutton Offal Soup

A specialty soup of Yuanping, made with mutton offal as the main ingredient, slow-cooked with multiple spices. The soup is fresh and flavorful, rich in nutrition, making it an excellent dish for warding off the cold in winter.

Yuanping City Travel Tips

Best Travel Time

Spring (Apr-May): Flowers blooming, pleasant climate
Autumn (Sep-Oct): Clear skies and crisp air, ideal for mountain climbing
Winter (Nov-Mar): Best season for hot spring wellness

Must-Try Foods

Yuanping Guokui
Buckwheat Kaolaolao
Yellow Rice Oil Cake
Mutton Offal Soup
Yuanping Dried Tofu

Budget Reference

Tickets: Approx. ¥188
Accommodation: ¥100-180/night
Dining: ¥50-90/day
Transportation: Approx. ¥35
Total: ¥450-800

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Tianya Mountain famous for stone drums? → Because there are natural stone drums in the mountain that produce clear, melodious sounds when struck
What are the architectural features of Huiji Temple? → The Great Hall is a Song Dynasty wooden structure with massive timber and exquisite craftsmanship, possessing high architectural art value
What are the benefits of Daying Hot Spring? → Rich in sulfides, with excellent therapeutic effects on skin diseases, arthritis, and neuralgia
How is Yuanping Guokui different from other places? → Yuanping Guokui is crispier, with more distinct layers and a unique production process