A Millennium Secret Hidden in Southern Shanxi: The Complete Guide to Yunqiu Mountain, Double Encounters with Ice Caves and Ancient Villages

If you want to avoid the crowded trendy spots during the National Day holiday, head to Yunqiu Mountain in Xiangning, Shanxi. This 5A-level scenic area, known as the "Number One Scenic Spot in He Fen" and "Northern Yunqiu, Southern Wudang," hides a 3-million-year-old ice cave wonder, a 2,500-year-old ancient village with vibrant local life, and tangible intangible cultural heritage. Every step is a surprising journey through time. Must-Visit Highlights: Three Soulful Attractions You Can't Miss 1. Ice Cave Cluster: A Journey Through Three Million Years of Ice and Snow As one of the world's three major ice cave wonders, this is the "treasure of Yunqiu Mountain." The natural ice cave cluster formed three million years ago maintains a temperature around -10°C year-round. Even in midsummer, you need to wrap up warmly inside—no worries though, the scenic area provides free snow coats at the cave entrance. Inside, ice pillars, ice stalagmites, ice stalactites, and ice flowers fill the space, illuminated by colorful lights, resembling a crystal palace. Every step along the winding icy path feels like stepping into a real-life "Frozen." The cave floor is slippery, so hold onto the railings and avoid touching the ice. It’s recommended to spend about an hour inside. After exiting, warm up with a cup of ginger tea provided by the scenic area—a classic experience. To avoid peak queues, arrive before 9 AM at the cave entrance. 2. Taerpo Ancient Village: A Living Fossil of Millennium Dwellings Not far from the ice caves lies this ancient village with a history of 2,500 years. Stone cave dwellings built into the hillside, a thousand-year-old soapberry tree with lush branches, and old workshops like tofu shops, blacksmith shops, and dyeing workshops still retain their original appearance, making it a living fossil of northern Chinese residences. Here, you can watch intangible cultural heritage inheritors weave homespun cloth and make tofu. When tired, step into a snack courtyard to try authentic Shanxi fried oil cakes and saozi noodles, with reasonable prices and no tourist traps. The ancient village in the afternoon is especially pleasant, with sunlight filtering through leaves onto the stone paths. Occasionally, you might catch a "Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers" performance, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a hidden paradise. 3. Yuhuang Peak and Shenlong Ridge: Climb High to View a Landscape Painting As the highest point of Yunqiu Mountain, Yuhuang Peak offers an excellent vantage point to overlook the confluence of the Lüliang Mountains and the Fen-Wei Rift Valley. If you have the stamina, you can hike up the trail; if you want to save time and effort, take the cable car, which also offers views of the layered autumn mountains. Descending from Yuhuang Peak leads directly to Yuanyang Bridge, a glass walkway spanning the valley. Beneath your feet is a sheer cliff abyss. Brave visitors can stop to take photos, while those less daring should walk closer to the inner side for safety. If interested in Taoist culture, visit Zushiding along the way to experience the Taoist heritage of "Northern Yunqiu." You might even encounter a blessing ceremony at the summit. Itinerary and Transportation: Efficient Exploration Without Detours Recommended Classic Itineraries - One-Day Highlights Tour: Take the shuttle bus directly to the back mountain, first climb Yuhuang Peak for panoramic views, walk the thrilling Yuanyang Bridge, then explore the ice cave cluster, and finally visit Taerpo Ancient Village for snacks. Return by shuttle bus in the evening, covering all core attractions perfectly. - Two-Day In-Depth Tour: Day 1, arrive and check into a guesthouse, spend the afternoon exploring Taerpo Ancient Village and Shenxian Valley (misty and fairy-tale-like), then enjoy stargazing camping or hot springs at night; Day 2, focus on the ice cave cluster and Yuhuang Peak, leisurely soaking in the natural and cultural scenery. Practical Transportation Guide - Self-Driving: Navigate directly to "Yunqiu Mountain Scenic Area." The parking lot costs 10 RMB/day. If you book accommodation inside the scenic area, you can drive directly to the hotel parking lot for convenience. - Public Transport: The nearest high-speed rail station is Houma West Station. From there, a taxi takes about 40-50 minutes to reach the scenic area, costing around 100 RMB. You can also take the scenic area’s direct shuttle bus. - Within the Scenic Area: The shuttle bus is a must-buy ticket, 20 RMB per person, operating until 7 PM (summer), connecting all attractions. Don’t miss the last bus. Electric carts to and from the ice caves are optional and can save walking energy. Complete Guide to Eating, Staying, and Playing: Avoid Pitfalls and Discover Surprises Tickets and Gear Tips - Scenic area tickets cost 80 RMB per person. Students and seniors aged 60-64 get half price; seniors 65 and above enter free. Ice caves and glass bridge require additional tickets. It’s recommended to buy a deep tour package that includes tickets, shuttle bus, and ice caves for better value. Purchasing in advance via the official WeChat account or platforms like Trip.com can save queue time. - Essential Gear: Non-slip sports shoes (many mountain steps and slippery ice caves), sun hat, sunglasses (strong UV in mountains). Although free cotton coats are provided in the ice caves, bringing a thin jacket is safer. Mountain weather is changeable, so carry a portable raincoat. Upgraded Eating and Staying Experience - Choose accommodation wisely to avoid pitfalls: Highly recommend Kangjiaping Guesthouse, known as the "Monet Garden of Shanxi." It’s one of the first national top-grade guesthouses, nestled in the mountains with large glass windows overlooking wild scenery. Some rooms offer health treatments like moxibustion and wingnut tea tasting. Staying here also grants discounted hot spring access. - Taste the Flavors of Southern Shanxi: Taerpo Water Banquet Courtyard and Kangjiaping Guesthouse Water Banquet Courtyard serve authentic local dishes; the Shanzhen Courtyard’s health soup pot is worth trying; street food and snacks like fried oil cakes and noodle skins in the commercial street and ancient village snack courtyards are cheap and authentic. National Day Exclusive Surprises During National Day (September 19 to October 8), the scenic area upgrades its activities: Zhonghe Square hosts folk performances and the Moon Worship Ceremony (October 6). Yuhuang Peak and other spots offer warm tea. At night, enjoy cold fireworks, bonfires, and a thousand-person chorus. If lucky, you might receive blessing mooncakes personally handed out by the chairman, creating a full festive atmosphere. Yunqiu Mountain is never just a simple mountain and water scenic spot. It holds glacial geological wonders, millennia-old human life, and accessible traditional culture. Visiting during National Day lets you avoid crowds while gaining both visual and spiritual fulfillment. This hidden treasure in southern Shanxi is worth your journey.