Xiaxian County Tourism

Shanxi Yuncheng Xiaxian County — the First Capital of China · Hometown of Sima Guang, integrating Sima Wen Gong Shrine, Duiyun Cave, and Yuwang City Ruins, blending Xia Capital civilization with historical celebrity culture. A 2-day-1-night in-depth tour decoding the origins of Chinese civilization, appreciating the unique charm where ancient capital ruins and cultural heritage intertwine.

4000+

Years of Xia Capital History

National Key Cultural Relics

Core Attractions

10+

Local Delicacies

Explore Tourism in Yuncheng Districts and Counties

Sima Wen Gong Shrine — Memorial Site of a Great Historian

Sima Wen Gong Shrine in Xiaxian, built to commemorate Sima Guang, the renowned historian of the Northern Song Dynasty. The shrine features ancient cypress trees reaching for the sky and a forest of stone tablets, serving as an important venue for understanding Sima Guang's life and the creation of "Zizhi Tongjian."

Xiaxian County 2-Day-1-Night Xia Capital Culture Journey

Visit Wen Gong Shrine to admire the great historian, explore Duiyun Cave for Taoist secrets, trace Yuwang City to the Xia Dynasty civilization, learn paper-cutting to inherit intangible cultural heritage

                    
Duration
2 Days 1 Night

                    
Main Destinations
Sima Wen Gong Shrine, Duiyun Cave, Yuwang City Ruins, Dongxiafeng Site

                    
Suitable For
History and culture enthusiasts, archaeological study tours, Taoist culture, intangible heritage experiences

                    
Per Capita Budget
¥320-¥600

Tracing Famous Figures

Sima Wen Gong Shrine · Duiyun Cave · Yaofeng Mountain · County Ancient Street

Itinerary Highlights

Visit Sima Wen Gong Shrine in the morning to learn about the life of Sima Guang, author of "Zizhi Tongjian." Explore the Taoist sanctuary of Duiyun Cave in the afternoon to experience the secluded natural scenery. Climb Yaofeng Mountain in the evening to overlook the panoramic view of Xiaxian.

Attraction Arrangements

Sima Wen Gong Shrine

A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, built to commemorate Sima Guang, the renowned statesman and historian of the Northern Song Dynasty. The shrine preserves the Sima Guang Spirit Way Stele, Yuqing Zen Monastery, and other buildings, with ancient cypress trees and rich stone inscriptions, serving as an important venue for studying Sima Guang's life.

Duiyun Cave

A Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit and Taoist sanctuary, named for the clouds that pile up before the cave. The cave architecture is built along the mountain with ingenious layout, earning it the title of "Little Potala Palace." The scenic area integrates natural landscapes with cultural attractions, making it an ideal summer retreat.

Yaofeng Mountain

A famous mountain in Xiaxian with majestic terrain and beautiful scenery. From the summit, visitors can overlook the entire Xiaxian landscape. A viewing pavilion crowns the peak, making it an ideal spot for watching sunrises and sea of clouds, as well as a popular morning exercise destination for locals.

Practical Information

Accommodation Recommendations

County Center Hotels
Homestays near Duiyun Cave
Farmstays at the Foot of Yaofeng Mountain

Food Recommendations

Xiaxian Braised Pork
Southern Shanxi Oil Tea
Mutton Hu Bo (Mutton Stew)
Stone Cake (Shizi Bing)

Travel Tips

Guided tours are recommended at Sima Wen Gong Shrine for deeper understanding
The mountain road to Duiyun Cave is steep; pay attention to safety
Yaofeng Mountain is best visited on a clear day for optimal views

Tracing Civilization

Yuwang City Ruins · Dongxiafeng Site · Xiaxian Confucian Temple · Paper-Cutting Experience · Return Journey

Itinerary Highlights

Visit Yuwang City Ruins in the morning to explore the ancient capital of the Xia Dynasty. Examine the Dongxiafeng Site in the afternoon to learn about Xia and Shang period culture. Experience Xiaxian paper-cutting in the evening to feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage, then purchase local specialties and conclude the journey.

Attraction Arrangements

Yuwang City Ruins

A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, traditionally believed to be the capital city built by Yu the Great, serving as an important site of the Xia Dynasty's political, economic, and cultural center. The city ruins are vast in scale with rich cultural layers, providing important physical materials for studying Xia Dynasty history.

Dongxiafeng Site

A National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and an important Xia-Shang period site. A large number of architectural remains, ash pits, and burials have been discovered, with rich artifacts including pottery, stone tools, and bone implements unearthed, possessing significant value for researching Xia-Shang history.

Xiaxian Paper-Cutting Workshop

Xiaxian paper-cutting is a Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage, renowned for its delicate knife work, vivid designs, and rich thematic content. Visitors can observe the paper-cutting process and experience the charm of this traditional handicraft firsthand.

Practical Information

Transportation Guide

Special shuttle buses connect the county seat to all scenic spots
Yuwang City is approx. 15km from the county seat
Chartered car is recommended for higher efficiency

Ticket Information

Sima Wen Gong Shrine: ¥35
Duiyun Cave: ¥30
Yuwang City Ruins: ¥25
Dongxiafeng Site: Free
Paper-Cutting Experience: ¥20

Travel Tips

Do not pick up artifacts at archaeological sites
Advance reservation is required for paper-cutting experience
Bring sufficient water and sun protection in summer

Xiaxian County Must-Try Foods

Xiaxian Braised Pork

A traditional Xiaxian delicacy made from premium pork braised with multiple spices. With a bright red color, tender and falling-apart texture, and rich aroma, it is an excellent dish for hosting guests and a local favorite.

Southern Shanxi Oil Tea

A traditional Xiaxian beverage made from flour, almonds, sesame seeds, and walnuts that are stir-fried and ground. It is prepared by mixing with boiling water, offering a rich aroma and high nutritional value — an excellent warming drink for winter.

Mutton Hu Bo (Mutton Stew)

A characteristic dish of the southern Shanxi region, made with mutton and sliced flatbread as the main ingredients, braised with multiple spices. The broth is fresh and delicious, the mutton tender and smooth, and the flatbread chewy — a beloved breakfast among locals.

Xiaxian Stone Cake (Shizi Bing)

A Xiaxian specialty pasta, baked on heated stones resulting in an uneven surface texture. Crispy outside and soft inside, with a rich wheat aroma, it is a convenient travel food that stores well.

Xiaxian County Travel Tips

Best Travel Time

Spring (Apr-May): Mountain flowers in full bloom, pleasant climate
Autumn (Sep-Oct): Clear skies and crisp air, ideal for mountain climbing
Summer for escaping the heat at Duiyun Cave, winter for enjoying local delicacies

Must-Try Foods

Xiaxian Braised Pork
Southern Shanxi Oil Tea
Mutton Hu Bo (Mutton Stew)
Stone Cake (Shizi Bing)
Xiaxian Mahua (Fried Dough Twist)

Budget Reference

Tickets: Approx. ¥110
Accommodation: ¥70-130/night
Dining: ¥35-65/day
Transportation: Approx. ¥25
Total: ¥320-600

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Xiaxian called the "First Capital of China"? — Because the Yuwang City Ruins are believed to be the Xia Dynasty capital, making it an important cradle of Chinese civilization
What is the connection between Sima Guang and Xiaxian? — Sima Guang's ancestral home was Xiaxian; his family tomb and shrine are both located here, making him an important historical figure of Xiaxian
Why is Duiyun Cave called the "Little Potala Palace"? — Because the buildings are constructed along the mountain in cascading tiers, resembling the Potala Palace from afar
What are the characteristics of Xiaxian paper-cutting? — Delicate knife work, smooth lines, themes drawn from folk tales and daily life scenes, with strong local characteristics