Who gets it?! Hidden in Yushe is a 'Cloud-top Ancient Temple', every casual shot looks like a filming location for a Xianxia drama ✨

Hey everyone! Last week, I went on a scouting trip to Jinzhong and was left speechless by this thousand-year-old temple in Yushe! Hidden deep within the mountains, morning mist swirls around its upturned eaves, and sunlight filters through ancient cypresses onto the stone steps. For a moment, I thought I had stumbled into a cultivation sect from "Chinese Paladin"! This off-the-beaten-path trip was absolutely worth it 🥳 🌟 Qingliang Temple Must-See Features: The Dual Romance of Ancient Temple + Mountain Scenery 1. **Thousand-Year-Old Architecture:** The temple houses stone tablets from the Sui Dynasty, Buddhist statues from the Tang Dynasty, and wooden pavilions from the Ming and Qing Dynasties! Especially the carved window lattices in the Mahavira Hall – when sunlight shines through, it casts "shattered golden light" on the ground. Standing by the window for a profile shot creates an incredibly atmospheric vibe~ 2. **Summit Cloud Sea View:** The temple is built on a mountain peak at an altitude of 1200 meters. Between 6-8 AM, there's a high probability of encountering a sea of clouds! The mist rolls up from the valley, half-obscuring the ancient temple. Just holding up your phone, you can capture "fairyland blockbusters" without needing any filters! 3. **Ancient Cypress Secret Realm:** Outside the temple, there's a forest of 300-year-old ancient cypresses. Their twisted trunks tell stories. Wear Hanfu or a plain long dress and twirl under the trees, letting a friend capture the moment your skirt billows – instantly transform into a classical heroine 📸 4. **Mountain Trail:** From the foot of the mountain to the temple, there's a 2-kilometer wooden boardwalk. Along the way, you can see wildflowers and mountain springs. When you're tired, sit at a viewing platform to rest, enjoying the mountain breeze and birdsong – it's all about that "healing feeling of escaping the city"~ 📍 One-Day Itinerary (Lazy Version) * **08:00-09:30:** Depart for Qingliang Temple (Self-driving is recommended. Navigate to "Yushe Qingliang Temple." It's about 1.5 hours from the city center. The mountain road is smooth and easy to drive, and parking is free.) * **09:30-12:00:** Explore the ancient temple, photograph the sea of clouds (First, go to the Mahavira Hall to capture architectural details, then head to the summit viewing platform to wait for the sea of clouds. The light is softest around 10 AM.) * **12:00-13:30:** Have lunch at a farmhouse restaurant at the foot of the mountain (Recommended dishes: Yushe Fried 'Bu Lan', Potato 'Caca', paired with a bowl of wild vegetable tofu soup. Around 30+ RMB per person, super affordable!) * **13:30-16:00:** Photo session in the ancient cypress forest + walk the wooden boardwalk (The afternoon light is great for backlighting. Have a friend stand next to an ancient cypress, and you shoot with backlighting on your phone – the person will have a "glowing outline.") * **After 16:00:** Return or visit nearby attractions (If you have ample time, you can stay overnight and experience the tranquility of the mountain night.) 🚗 Transportation & 🏨 Accommodation & 🍜 Dining Guide * **Transportation:** Self-driving is the top choice (flexible and convenient, allowing stops at roadside viewing platforms). For those without a car, you can take a long-distance bus from Jinzhong city center to Yushe County, then take a taxi to the scenic area (about 30 minutes from the county town to the scenic area, taxi fare around 50 RMB). * **Accommodation Recommendations:** 1. **Yushe Hotel:** (County center, well-equipped facilities, walking distance to the snack street, around 150 RMB/night per person, suitable for those seeking convenience). 2. **Yunzhu Lake Resort Hotel:** (About 20 minutes drive from the scenic area, offers lake views, courtyard room types available, around 300 RMB/night per person, suitable for those wanting a relaxing vacation). 3. **Qingliang Temple Mountain Village Homestay:** (Right at the foot of the scenic area mountain, the owner cooks farmhouse dishes, you can wake up to the sound of chickens in the morning, around 120 RMB/night per person, suitable for those who like a rustic experience). * **Dining Recommendations:** Besides the farmhouse restaurants at the foot of the mountain, you absolutely must try "Yushe Old Taste Restaurant" in the county town! Recommended dishes: Braised Pork with Plum Sauce, Fried 'E', Fried Cake – all local specialties, you can eat your fill for just 40 RMB per person~ 📸 5 Great Photo Spots + Photography Tips 1. **Mahavira Hall Eaves:** Stand on the stone steps outside the hall, shoot upwards with your phone, letting the eaves and sky fill the frame. Wearing dark clothes makes for better photos (Tip: Lightly stand on your tiptoes when shooting for a more upright posture). 2. **Under the Ancient Cypress:** Choose an ancient cypress with sprawling branches. Stand next to the tree at a 45-degree angle, looking up, letting the sunlight fall on your face. Have your friend squat low to shoot – you can capture the feeling of "human and ancient tree coexisting." 3. **Summit Cloud Sea Viewing Platform:** Wear a light-colored long dress, spread your arms, and face the camera sideways, with the sea of clouds as the background. Turn on your phone's "Portrait Mode" to blur the background for a more ethereal look (Tip: When it's windy, let your skirt billow and capture dynamic shots). 4. **Temple Red Wall:** Use the red wall as a background. Stand to the side, gently resting your hand on the wall, and take a half-body shot. Paired with the temple's green tiles, the color contrast is stunning. 5. **Mountain Wooden Boardwalk:** Walk on the boardwalk and have a friend shoot your "back view" from behind, capturing the boardwalk, green mountains, and blue sky for a more profound composition (Tip: Slow down your steps, naturally swing your arms to avoid stiffness). 5 Hidden Gem Scenic Areas Nearby, More Fun to Visit Along the Way! 1. **Yushe Yunzhu Lake Tourist Resort:** 20 minutes drive from Qingliang Temple. You can boat, camp, and watch the sunset. The lake view is incredibly healing, perfect for "fresh Japanese style" photos. 2. **Yushe Wenfeng Pagoda:** A Sui Dynasty ancient pagoda with exquisitely carved details. Standing at the base of the pagoda and shooting upwards can capture a sense of "historical grandeur." 3. **Taihang Longquan Tourist Area:** Features waterfalls, streams, and primeval forests. It's super cool in summer, great for kids, and you can take "forest-themed blockbusters." 4. **Zuoquan Matian Eighth Route Army Headquarters Memorial Hall:** A red tourism scenic area where you can learn about history. The architecture has a strong sense of age, suitable for "retro style" photos. 5. **Xiyang Dazhai Scenic Area:** See terraced fields, visit folk villages, and experience rural charm. Standing on the terraced fields for a panoramic shot creates a wonderful "healing pastoral style." Hey everyone! Yushe Qingliang Temple is truly a hidden gem that's "beautiful, uncrowded, and great for photos." You don't have to jostle with crowds; you can enjoy the thousand-year-old temple and mountain scenery all to yourself. This trip will definitely blow up your social media! If you love off-the-beaten-path destinations, follow me! I'll be unlocking more hidden scenic spots in Jinzhong, taking you away from the crowds for a different kind of experience. See you next time for more travel tips~ ❤️