Yellow River Gallery Tour: 4-Day Self-Drive Trip to Explore Pingyao Ancient City
3 cities |
16 attraction(s) |
total distance 527
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day1: Shijiazhuang > Lvliang
4 attraction(s) ·
441 km
2
Qi Kou is located in the middle of the Jinshan Canyon of the Yellow River, 48 kilometers south of the county town, and is named after the Datong Beach of the Yellow River. With the Yellow River coming from the north and the Jiao River flowing from the east, with the Wohu Mountain lying across the north of the town and the Heilong Temple towering on the east bank of the river, it has formed a magnificent scene of "tiger roaring at the Yellow River, dragon singing at Qi Kou". With the help of water transportation on the Yellow River, from the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong period to the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, for more than 200 years, it has been a famous commercial town in northern China. It is connected to Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia in the west, and to Taiyuan, Beijing, and Tianjin in the east. It has attracted businessmen from almost half of China and has become a hub for economic and cultural exchanges between the east and the west. According to the inscription in the Heilong Temple in the town during the Daoguang period, there were more than 20 shops, not to mention scattered peddlers. During this time, boats were shuttling in the Yellow River, and camel bells were echoing in the valley. With merchants gathering and shops standing, the street was brightly lit, day and night, never-ending, as the saying goes, it was a "small metropolis on the water and land".
2
km
3
The scenery is beautiful, the people are simple, and the food is abundant. Highly recommend the dish "Farmhouse Three Treasures", which includes seaweed, vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates. The lamb is tender and not greasy. The restaurant is located right by the Yellow River, allowing for a direct view of the beautiful scenery. Highly recommended.
3
km
4
This hotel has a lot of local characteristics, both in terms of appearance and facilities. It has blue bricks and gray tiles, wooden windows and doors. The long corridor connects, original and simple. It has a unique flavor, simple and elegant. The inn has a large platform on the roof, where you can overlook the Yellow River. Highly recommended.
1
km
Day2: Lvliang
5 attraction(s) ·
16 km
1
The Li's Family Residence is located five kilometers south of QiKou Town, by the banks of the Yellow River. It is hidden deep in the mountains and possesses a tranquil and elegant atmosphere. Renowned painter Wu Guanzhong exclaimed when he visited Li's Family Residence in October 1989 that it resembled a "Han tomb". He said: From the exterior, it looks like a desolate Han tomb, but once you enter, it reveals ancient and sophisticated cave dwellings. The ancient village is relatively secluded, like a secluded utopia. The perfect combination of the mountains and architecture, the natural beauty of the living environment, and the beauty of the layered and interlaced cave dwellings are all perfectly embodied here.
7
km
2
Xiwancun, located just one kilometer away from Qikou Ancient Town, is famous for its unique residential architecture. This complete residential complex, built gradually over 300 years from the late Ming Dynasty to the Republic of China by the Chen family who relied on the Yellow River for shipping, covers an area of over 30,000 square meters. It is built against the mountains and faces the water, with a strong sense of layering, resembling surging waves. There are two horizontal and five vertical streets in the village, connecting various courtyards. There are currently over forty well-preserved courtyards, with interconnecting courtyards and houses. The buildings and walls are diverse in style, adapting to the surrounding environment harmoniously. The facilities for anti-theft, fire prevention, drainage, and flood control are ingeniously arranged. Every brick, stone, and wood here emits a strong traditional cultural atmosphere, with exquisite carvings and delicate portrayals. In 2003, Xiwancun was awarded the title of "National Historical and Cultural Village."
6
km
3
Yellow River Gallery, also known as Hundred Miles Water-eroded Relief of the Yellow River, is located in the Qikou section of the Jin'shan Yellow River Grand Canyon. It is a precious natural heritage in the world, formed in the Triassic Period. It is a natural cliff relief formed by the combination of underground water erosion and river erosion in the thick sandstone of the Triassic System. Due to the abundant plagioclase and quartz in the thick sandstone, the plagioclase gradually differentiates and decomposes under conditions of water erosion, river erosion, wind erosion and sunlight, and the quartz falls off from the thick sandstone, forming natural relief shapes such as stone ditches, stone niches, stone caves, stone books, as well as various animal forms.
4
km
4
Second time dining at this restaurant, ranked first in Qikou Ancient Town. Convenient parking at the entrance. The interior has a quaint style, and you can see the Jiaoshui River outside the window. The fish is very fresh without any fishy smell. Local specialty Yomian is delicious, with chewy noodles.
1
km
5
Day3: Lvliang
5 attraction(s) ·
71 km
1
Fenjiu Cultural Tourism Scenic Area is a tourist area that relies on the historical and cultural famous village of Xinghua Village, which produces Fenjiu and Zhuyeqing liquor. It combines industrial tourism, liquor culture tourism, and leisure sightseeing tourism. The attractions include the national cultural relics protection unit - Fenjiu workshop site, Fenjiu Museum for wine production visits, liquor culture and ecological park, specialty shopping places, tourist sightseeing cars, and unique hotels, providing integrated tourism services for dining, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment.
15
km
2
The restaurant offers a variety of noodles and side dishes, with delicious and chewy noodles. The soup is also flavorful. The noodle soup has a perfect balance of saltiness and taste. The side dishes are delicate, and the service is welcoming and attentive. The overall environment is quiet and comfortable.
52
km
3
Guashan belongs to the Lüliang Mountain. There are eight peaks towering here, named after their resemblance to the "Eight Trigrams". The mountain is home to a group of buildings including Tianning Temple, School, Zhugong Shrine, Guan Di Temple, Sanjiao Hall, and Wenxing Pavilion. With its rugged peaks and ancient cypresses, the numerous ancient buildings in Tianning Temple and the ancient cypresses of Guashan complement each other, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists every year.
4
km
4
The variety of dishes is abundant, with unique flavors and attractive appearance. The dishes are colorful, fragrant, and delicious. The fish is very fresh and tastes warm. The iron pot stew is a local specialty, and the pot stickers have a great chewiness. Highly recommended.
2
km
5
Economy, chain hotel, overall environment of the rooms is good, clean and hygienic. Front desk service is also good.
Day4: Jinzhong
2 attraction(s) ·
1 km
1
The AncientCity of Ping Yao
A historical and cultural ancient city of nearly 3000 years, it is one of the best-preserved four ancient cities in China.
1
km
2
The popularity of the Pingyao Ancient City is high, with affordable and generous portions of food. The crispy eggplant is especially delicious, with a crispy and slightly sweet outer layer when deep-fried. The restaurant also offers free oil tea, which is rich and helps to relieve greasiness. The dishes in the restaurant are made with common ingredients, but each dish is carefully prepared and has unique characteristics. It offers great value for money and is worth tasting. There are many restaurants and a wide variety of delicacies inside the ancient city, so you can dine nearby wherever you go.
