Mount Heng · Hanging Temple · Yingxian Wooden Pagoda — One-Day Tour
Itinerary
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 06:40 | Depart from Datong No.10 Middle School gate, Weidu Avenue |
| 06:50 | Depart from Chenguang International Hotel, Yingbin Street; head to Hengshan Visitor Center (70 km, ~1h 30min) |
| 08:20 | Transfer to Hanging Temple Scenic Area (8 km, ~10min) (Shuttle bus required: ¥20/person round trip) |
| 08:40 | Visit Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si) (~1h) |
| 09:40 | Transfer to Mount Heng Scenic Area (5 km, ~10min) |
| 10:00 | Climb Mount Heng (Beiyue / Northern Sacred Mountain) (~3h) |
| 13:00 | Return to Hengshan Visitor Center (~10min) |
| 13:20 | Transfer to restaurant in Hunyuan County (~10min) |
| 13:30 | Lunch: Datong knife-cut noodles + egg or Hunyuan cold jelly noodles (liangfen) + crispy swirl pancake (youxuan) |
| 14:00 | Transfer to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (~1h) |
| 15:00 | Visit Pagode en bois de Yingxian (~1h) |
| 16:00 | Return to downtown Datong (90 km, ~1h 30min) |
| 18:00 | Drop-off at Datong No.10 Middle School, Weidu Avenue — end of tour |
The itinerary above is for reference. The guide may adjust the visiting order based on actual conditions without omitting any sites. During holidays, Golden Weeks, and summer vacations, the tour may end 1–2 hours later.
Highlights
Mount Heng (Beiyue)
L'un des… de Chine Five Sacred Mountains (Wu Yue) — the Northern Peak. A 4A-rated national scenic area, towering at 2,016 m, the highest among the Five Great Mountains. Mount Heng is renowned for its Daoist heritage and has drawn pilgrims and travelers for centuries with its dramatic cliffs and breathtaking vistas.
Historically known by multiple names — Taiheng Mountain, Xuanwu Mountain, and Xuanyue — it was formally designated as the Northern Sacred Mountain in the late Ming / early Qing dynasty. Located 10 km south of Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province, it has been praised as the “Northern Pillar of Heaven” and “Famous Mountain of the Remote Frontier.”
Scenic highlights along the trail: Qín Gōng (Resting Palace), Cháo Diàn (Pilgrimage Hall), Huì Xiān Fǔ (Immortals’ Gathering Mansion), Qín Qí Tái (Zither & Chess Terrace), Jīn Jī Bào Xiǎo (Golden Rooster Crows at Dawn), Bái Yún Dòng (White Cloud Cave), Fēi Shí Kū (Flying Stone Grotto), Kǔ Tián Jǐng (Bitter & Sweet Wells), Guǒ Lǎo Yán (Guo Lao’s Cliff), and more.
Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si)
Founded in the 15th year of the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty (491 CE), with over 1,500 years of history. A breathtaking architectural wonder dramatically suspended on a sheer cliff face 75 m above the ground. It is China’s only surviving temple that uniquely houses shrines of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism under one roof — the “Three Teachings in One.” (Note: climbing access to the temple interior is not included in the tour ticket; availability depends on the scenic area’s actual conditions and the guide’s arrangements on the day.)
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Sakyamuni Pagoda)
Located in Fogong Temple, Yingxian County, Shuozhou, Shanxi. Built in the 2nd year of the Qingning era of the Liao Dynasty (1056 CE). Standing 67.31 m tall with a base diameter of 30.27 m, it is constructed from approx. 3,000 m³ of red pine timber weighing over 2,600 tons. It features 54 distinct types of dougong bracket sets in an octagonal plan, earning it the title “Museum of Chinese Ancient Architectural Brackets.” It is the world’s oldest and tallest surviving wooden pagoda, listed alongside Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower in Paris as one of the “Three Great Towers of the World.” Guinness World Record certified in 2016.
What’s Included
- Tickets: Entry to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Hanging Temple (ground-level), and Mount Heng (adult/student)
- Guide: Chinese-speaking guide service with scenic commentary
- Transport: Seat-in-coach based on group size (one seat per person guaranteed)
- Meal: Lunch only — knife-cut noodles + egg or cold jelly noodles + egg + crispy swirl pancake
- Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance + travel accident insurance
What’s NOT Included
- Guide earpiece device — ¥20/person (recommended; clearer audio for commentary)
- Mount Heng cable car (one-way) — ¥70/person (recommended)
- Hengshan scenic shuttle bus — ¥20/person (mandatory)
- Additional children’s / senior tickets — if height exceeds free limit or discount documents are invalid
- Self-paid attractions within scenic areas, and transport to/from your departure city or hotel
- Force majeure costs — road closures due to heavy snow, traffic congestion, highway detours & excess mileage surcharges, scenic area temporary closures, vehicle breakdowns, flight disruptions, etc.
Important Tips
- Adults aged 18–59 include attraction tickets. Children and free-ticket groups include vehicle seat only; all else at own expense.
- Travelers aged 60+ (senior card), military officers, and persons with disability certificates: bring valid original documents and hand them to the guide in advance. Final discount eligibility is subject to the scenic area’s published policy. Counterfeit or expired documents will result in denied entry — the full gate price must be paid on the spot.
- Travelers aged 65+ must confirm no hypertension, heart disease, or infectious conditions, provide a recent hospital health certificate on the day, and be accompanied throughout by at least one adult aged 30+.
- If scenic visits are missed due to force majeure (gales, heavy fog, snow closures, landslides, accidents, etc.), refunds are based on the group discount rate agreed between the travel agency and the scenic area. Other fees are non-refundable.
- Pure sightseeing product — no designated shopping stops. Exercise caution at any shopping venues within scenic areas or markets; always request a formal receipt (fapiao).
- All recommended self-funded items are voluntary — no compulsory consumption. The guide may adjust the visiting order based on actual conditions without reducing attractions or lowering service standards.
- Safety: Look after your personal belongings and valuables at all times.
- No early departure — leaving the group mid-tour without permission will forfeit remaining services with no refund. If you must leave, obtain guide consent and provide a written departure statement.
- During holidays and Golden Weeks, attractions may require queuing. The guide may advance departure times by 1–2 hours.
- Carry your original ID card and keep your mobile phone switched on throughout the tour. Arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes early. Seats on the coach are on a first-come, first-served basis from the morning departure.
- Provide correct ID information at registration so the travel agency can arrange your travel accident insurance. Inaccurate information voids insurance coverage.
- By joining this tour, you confirm you have read and understood all terms and agree to fulfill the agreement voluntarily.
- The tour fee is based on low-speed road routing. Should weather or force majeure necessitate highway detours, the additional cost shall be borne by the traveler. Please read the itinerary and service standards carefully before booking; contact customer service with any questions.
Booking Inquiry
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