[2025 Taiyuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Tianlongshan Caves (Updated Jul)

| Escape into the Millennium-Old Architecture's Cool Sanctuary. Tired of the urban heatwave? This thousand-year-old architectural complex hidden in Taiyuan is the ultimate summer retreat! Jinci Temple boasts 3,000-year-old Zhou Dynasty cypress trees that provide dense shade and the Never-Aging Spring that flows year-round, creating a "mini Jiangnan" oasis with natural air conditioning in northern China. This field-tested guide will help you explore the light-and-shadow aesthetics of ancient architecture during off-peak hours and enjoy 23°C summer romance by the shaded springs. 🌟 Top 3 Reasons to Visit in Summer (With Scientific Cooling Data) 1. Natural Air Conditioning: Over 70% coverage from 43 ancient trees (100+ years old), with midday temperatures 5-8°C cooler than downtown 2. Water-Light Theater: The Never-Aging Spring's 1.8-ton-per-second flow creates cool mist, combined with Tyndall light refracted through ancient dougong brackets 3. Serene Hidden Gem: Daily summer visitors are only 1/3 of peak season, offering exclusive access to the poetic trio of "ancient architecture + springs + lotus flowers" 🗺️ Off-Peak Exploration Route (4-Hour Golden Cooling Itinerary) 🕖 Morning Discovery (8:00-10:30 Best Light Period) 1. Water Mirror Terrace Morning Shoot: Capture dreamy compositions of "architectural silhouettes + dewy spiderwebs" on the ancient stage (bring a macro lens) 2. Golden Men Terrace Archaeology: Observe casting patterns on Northern Song iron statues in slanting light (scan QR codes for free audio guides) 3. Fish Pond Flying Bridge Technique: Crouch 30cm above water to capture symmetrical reflections of China's earliest cross-shaped bridge (see photo 5 for angle) 4. Holy Mother Hall's Three Wonders: - Song Dynasty painted sculptures: Focus on the "hesitant to speak" lip details of Maid - Zhou Cypress Wonder: The 3,000-year-old tree forms perfect composition with the hall - Never-Aging Spring Play: Collect 5°C spring water in bottles (no direct contact allowed) 🕑 Afternoon Leisure (15:00-17:00 Shaded Rest Period) 1. Climb Sarira Pagoda: Northwest stairs are less crowded for panoramic "ancient pagoda + Fen River" shots 2. Hidden Jinci Park Spot: Second waterside pavilion north of lotus pond for "flying eaves + lotus close-ups" (peak bloom mid-late July) 3. Museum Cool Fact: Use phone light on Li Shimin's stele to reveal calligraphy details 📸 Photographers' 6 Secret Spots Spot | Best Time | Composition Tips | Gear Suggestion Fish Pond Flying Bridge | Before 9:00/After 16:00 | Low-angle shot with water reflection foreground | Phone wide-angle Holy Mother Hall Corridor | 10:00 side light | Pose behind 3rd pillar for light division | Mirrorless F2.8 aperture Zhou Cypress NE Side | 11:00 top light | Shoot upward with "teal-orange filter" | Phone portrait mode 2x Unmoored Boat Pavilion | 17:00 backlight | Silhouette with fan + water sparkles | Camera M mode ISO200 Lotus Pond Zigzag Bridge | 8:30 morning mist | Frame with lotus leaves | Phone RAW format Tang Shuyu Shrine Moon Gate | 15:30 front light | Capture walking through gate | Action cam 120fps 🍜 Jinci Food Map (Local's Picks) - Emergency option: Osmanthus plum juice (¥8) at "Jinci Old Brand" near Water Mirror Terrace - 5-min walk gems: ✅ "Old Taiyuan Knife-Cut Noodles": Tomato beef with triangular noodles (¥22) ✅ "Wang's Buckwheat Jelly": Garlic-vinegar sauce (¥6) with seabuckthorn juice - Advanced picnic: Jinci rice sushi (spring-water glutinous rice) in bamboo grove ⚠️ Summer Survival Guide (Field-Tested Tips) 1. Anti-mosquito kit: Picaridin spray (OFF!) + cooling sleeves + mid-cut hiking shoes 2. Light schedule: - Bridge reflections: Before 9:00/After 16:30 (calmest water) - Sculpture lighting: 10:00-11:00 (side light highlights details) 3. Preservation rules: ❌ No touching sculptures/cypresses (alarm system) ✅ Use AR to scan floor tiles for Song architecture animations 4. Hidden perk: Free guided tours at 10:00/15:00 (30-person limit) via official WeChat 🚗 Transportation (With Parking Hacks) - Best transit: Bus 804 from Taiyuan South Station (¥3), 800m walk from last stop - Driving tip: Park at "Jinci Hotel" lot (¥10/day) - 500m closer than main lot - Taxi code: Say "North Gate of Jinci Museum" for closest drop-off 📌 Quick Facts - Ticket: ¥80 (students half-price) - Hours: 8:00-18:00 (last entry 17:30) - Best months: June-August (lotus/light), October (golden cypress) - Combo trip: Tianlongshan Grottoes (25min drive) for viral bridge + Buddhist carvings Original Content: All photography angles and food recommendations field-tested July 2025. Preservation guidelines follow Jinci's latest regulations. Plagiarism will be prosecuted. Ctrip Tip: Save ¥30 with "Taiyuan Ancient Architecture Pass" (Jinci+Tianlongshan+Mengshan Buddha) - book 1 day ahead on Ctrip. While others sweat in cities, you'll be chilling watermelon in Jinci's spring water under thousand-year-old trees, watching pigeons fly past ancient eaves—this is how summer travel should be.

Weekend Getaway in Taiyuan | 2 Days to Explore the Best of Dragon City & Taste Shanxi's Top Noodle Delights! This underrated ancient capital is way more fun than you'd imagine 😍 🚄Day 1: Ancient Architecture & Culture Tour 📍Jinci Temple: Taiyuan's must-visit No.1 spot! Marvel at the "Three Uniques & Three Treasures" (colorful sculptures/iron men/ancient cypresses) – hiring a guide makes it even better~ 📍Tianlongshan Grottoes: Just 15min drive from Jinci, 25 grottoes hide 1,500 years of Buddhist art 📍Liuxiang Food Street: Dinner paradise! Hao Ganggang lamb offal soup, Yangji Guanchang, Liuweizhai braised meat... try all Shanxi snacks here Tips: Jinci is massive – wear comfy shoes for walking! 🚲Day 2: City Exploration 📍Shanxi Museum: Least crowded 9-10AM! Don't miss the treasure Bird Zun artifact 📍Fenhe Park: Rent a bike by the river (Yingze Bridge section recommended) 📍Old Taiyuan Restaurant: Must-order sweet & sour meatballs, fried pork, and try cat-ear noodles 📍Twin Pagoda Temple: Climb for epic city views 📍Yijing Snack Street: Night food heaven! Skewers, bowl noodles, fried jelly – feast for ¥20/person 🔥Food Hall of Fame: √ Noodles: Daoxiao noodles at "Jinxin Noodle Life", oat noodles at "Oat Village" √ Time-honored: Qingheyuan's "Tounao" with yellow wine, Renyili's steamed lamb dumplings √ Snacks: God's Fried Chicken, Quanwazi Dan Dan Noodles 💡Local Tips: ▸ Attractions open Tue-Sun (closed Mondays!!) ▸ Use "Taiyuan Bus" WeChat mini-program for transport ▸ Best travel months: April-October (bring winter coats if visiting in winter)

📍Address: Tianlong Mountain, Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City (Search "Tianlongshan Grottoes Scenic Area" for navigation) 🚌Transportation: • Bus: Take tourist line Y1 from Taiyuan Railway Station 🚍 • Drive: About 40 minutes from downtown, parking available 🅿️ ⚠️ Note: Many winding mountain roads - beginners drive with caution 🏞️Introduction: Buddhist grottoes carved from Northern Qi to Tang Dynasty, featuring 25 caves with 500+ statues ✨ Key Highlights: ① The colossal Buddha in "Manshange" (Cave 9, West Peak) - Tang Dynasty masterpiece ② Repatriated Buddha head (recovered from Japan in 2020) displayed in Digital Museum ③ Cliffside plank path connecting East Peak caves with stunning valley views 🌄 🎯Travel Tips: 1️⃣ Best route: Take shuttle to West Peak → Top-down tour → Visit Digital Museum last 2️⃣ Must-see spots: - 11-faced Guanyin statue in Cave 9 (Tang Dynasty representative work) - Central pillar in Cave 2 (rare Northern Qi style) - Buddha Head Special Exhibition (separate booking) 3️⃣ Pro tips: • Enter before 9am to avoid crowds • Cloudy days reveal clearer grotto details 💡Recommendations: ✅ Wear anti-slip shoes! Some paths are steep ✅ Bring water & snacks (only small shops on mountain) ✅ Watch documentary "Tianlong Mountain" first (on Bilibili) ❌ No touching/flash photography in caves 🍜Food Recommendations: 15-min drive to Jinci Town after descent: • "Jinyunlou" restaurant: Guo You Rou + Cat Ears noodles 🍲 • Street stalls: Authentic Wantuo (buckwheat cold dish) 3¥/bowl ✅ 🏠Accommodation: • Luxury: "Jinci Hotel" (garden-style state guesthouse) • Budget: "Starway Taiyuan Jinci Hotel" (clean + free parking) 🚩Nearby Attractions: • Jinci Museum (4km) ✨ Don't miss the Three Wonders • Taiyuan Ancient County (8km) - "Full River Red" filming location • Mengshan Giant Buddha (12km) - Northern Qi cliff carving Final Thoughts: Four visits revealed its true value—the damaged statues bear scars of war and theft, while the returned Buddha head symbolizes enduring civilization. ✨ Best experienced in quiet contemplation: when mountain breezes whisper through thousand-year-old caves, you might hear echoes of ancient artisans' chisels... This place offers not just scenery, but soul-stirring encounters with millennia-old wonders 🙏

Tianlongshan (formerly known as Fangshan) is located 36 kilometers southwest of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, with an elevation of 1,370 meters. Famous for its beautiful natural scenery and rich cultural heritage, it features forests, springs, grottoes, and temples. The mountain boasts majestic peaks, shady pine and cypress trees, melodious streams, and serene landscapes. Most notably, the Tianlongshan Grottoes, carved during the Eastern Wei Dynasty and situated on the mountainside, is one of China's top 10 grottoes. Admission: Full price: CNY 50 Half price: CNY 25 Opening Hours: Peak season (April 1 - October 31): 08:30-18:00 Off-peak season (November 1 - March 31): 09:00-17:00 Recommended Attractions: - Tianlongshan Grottoes: One of China's top 10 grottoes, featuring exquisite cave sculptures - Tianlong Temple: An ancient temple with a tranquil environment - National Treasures Return Hall: Displays precious cultural relics including returned Buddha heads - Liuzhi Valley: Natural scenery with waterfalls and mountain springs Suggested Route: Best touring route: Grottoes Visitor Center - Tianlongshan Grottoes - Tianlong Temple - National Treasures Return Hall - Liuzhi Valley (optional) - Yaotou Village Visitor Center What to Bring: 1. Comfortable walking shoes suitable for hiking 2. Sun protection items 3. Sufficient water and snacks 4. Camera or phone for photos Travel Tips: 1. Start early to avoid wasting time on the road 2. Wear outdoor-appropriate clothing, protect from sun exposure and stay hydrated 3. Mind your safety and follow scenic area regulations 4. Protect the environment, do not litter 5. Respect local customs and traditions

Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum Travel Guide 1⃣ Museum Overview The Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum, located in Wangjiafeng Village, Yingze District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, is the first museum in China built on the original site of the Northern Qi Dynasty tomb of Xu Xianxiu, specifically dedicated to murals. Covering an area of 20,000 square meters with a building area of 5,355 square meters, the museum showcases the mural art and historical culture of the Northern Qi Dynasty, serving as an essential window into understanding the culture of that period. 2⃣ Opening Hours and Ticket Information 📆Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00—17:00 (last entry at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except national holidays). Tickets: Free, but advance booking is required through the official WeChat public account. A real-name, timed-entry reservation system is in place. 3⃣ Transportation Guide 🚎Bus Routes: Several bus routes, including No. 70, 822, and 813, can take you to the museum. 🚗Self-driving: The museum is located in Wangjiafeng Village, Yingze District, Taiyuan City, approximately a 30-minute drive from the city center. 4⃣ Exhibition Highlights Hall 1, "Splendor of the Other Capital": Centered around the murals from the tomb of Xu Xianxiu, this hall showcases the political, economic, and cultural aspects of the Northern Qi Dynasty. Hall 2, "A Thousand Years at a Glance": Utilizing 3D projection, virtual reality, and other technologies, this hall offers an immersive experience, transporting visitors back to the Northern Qi Dynasty. Hall 3, "Simple Elegance": This hall focuses on displaying Northern Dynasty murals unearthed within Shanxi Province, such as the camel caravan and horse herding scenes from the tomb of Lou Rui. 5⃣ Interactive Experiences and Special Activities Interactive Programs: Visitors can participate in activities such as mural copying and simulated relic restoration, enhancing their understanding of mural art. VR Experience: Put on 4K resolution VR glasses and experience a "tomb roaming" adventure, immersing yourself in the life of Northern Qi Dynasty nobility. 6⃣ Recommended Nearby Attractions Tianlongshan Grottoes: Located approximately 11 km from the museum, these grottoes are renowned for their stone carvings, showcasing artistic styles from the Eastern Wei to the Five Dynasties period. Jin Temple: The oldest existing royal garden in China, housing precious cultural relics such as the "Three Treasures of Jin Temple." A visit of 2–3 hours is recommended. Shanxi Noodle Museum: Learn about Shanxi noodle culture and experience traditional noodle-making techniques. 7⃣ Important Notes‼️ ✔️Book in Advance: Be sure to book your visit in advance to avoid being unable to enter the museum. ✔️Bring ID: Please bring your original ID card. Visitors over 60 years old are exempt from the reservation requirement. ✔️Visiting Time: It is recommended to allow 2–3 hours to fully experience the museum's exhibitions and interactive programs.

What a wonderful fate it was to climb Tianlong Mountain on the same day that Jinci Tianlong Mountain Tourist Scenic Area in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province was rated as a national 5A-level scenic spot. Due to time constraints, we chose to visit the Tianlong Mountain Museum from top to bottom. The first thing we visited were the grottoes on the East Peak and the West Peak. Most of the Buddha head statues were destroyed. When we saw a dilapidated cave, we felt very complicated. There is regret for the loss of civilization and hatred for the invaders. At Dongfeng, the security guard was very enthusiastic in explaining to us, and also suggested that we go to the museum to see the Buddha head that was featured on CCTV. Climbing the stairs all the way down, I happened to enjoy the slightly drunken sunset and saw the bright moonlight. It is recommended to come in the morning, first see the Royal Garden Jinci, then climb Tianlong Mountain, and then go around to visit the Liuzhi Valley Scenic Area. It will take a day to play seriously.

🏞️Taiyuan Tianlong Mountain, Stone Grottoes, and Internet-famous Bridge Day Tour! Attraction Address: Near Tianlong Mountain Road, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan, Shanxi Booking Tips: We recommend booking tickets in advance via the official website or a travel platform to avoid queuing on-site. Transportation Tips: • Self-driving: From downtown Taiyuan, drive along Binhe West Road to Jinci Road, then turn onto Tianlong Mountain Road to reach the destination. • Public transportation: Take a bus to Jinci Station, then transfer to the Tianlong Mountain Special Line to reach the scenic area. Attraction Highlights: • Tianlong Mountain Stone Grottoes: With a long history and exquisite carvings, the grottoes are valuable resources for studying ancient Chinese art. • Internet-famous Bridge: A new internet-famous spot on Tianlong Mountain, the bridge features a unique design and stunning views, making it a great place for photos. • Natural Scenery: Tianlong Mountain boasts beautiful natural scenery, steep mountains, and lush vegetation, making it a great place for hiking and sightseeing. Ticket Information: • Tianlong Mountain Scenic Area tickets are reasonably priced and include multiple attractions such as the stone grottoes and internet-famous bridge. • Special groups (such as seniors and students) may be eligible for discounted tickets. Please check in advance. Scenic Area Opening Hours: • Tianlong Mountain Scenic Area is generally open all year round, but specific opening hours may vary due to seasonal and weather changes. • We recommend checking the scenic area announcements in advance for the latest opening hours. Travel Tips: • Pay attention to safety when hiking, wear comfortable shoes, and bring enough water and food. • Keep quiet when visiting the stone grottoes, and do not touch or damage the cultural relics. • Pay attention to safety when taking photos on the internet-famous bridge, and do not crowd or climb the railings. Come to Taiyuan Tianlong Mountain and experience the ancient charm of the stone grottoes and the fashionable style of the internet-famous bridge! 🏞️🏰📸

Tianlongshan, originally called Fangshan, was the summer palace of Grand Chancellor Gao Huan of the Eastern Wei Dynasty. In the first year of the Northern Qi Dynasty (560), Emperor Xiaozhao Gao Yan built Tianlong Temple, and the mountain was named after the temple. The mountain is known for its peaks, pine and cypress trees, streams, and temples, making it a famous mountain in Jinyang. From the top of the mountain, the first thing you see is the summer palace of Gao Huan. The pavilions are rebuilt on the site, and you can enjoy a distant view. The pavilions are empty, and you can read Zhu Yizun's poem about his time in Taiyuan. From Bailong Temple, you enter the grotto area, which is located on the southern slopes of the east and west peaks, with a total of 25 caves stretching about 500 meters. The caves are numbered from east to west, with 8 caves on the east peak, numbered 1 to 8. There are also 4 unnumbered caves above caves 2 to 5, so there are actually 12 caves on the east peak. There are 13 caves on the west peak, numbered 9 to 21. Caves 9 and 13 are cliff niches. The caves generally face north to south, with caves 19 and 20 facing west. Tianlongshan Grottoes Theft and weathering are very serious. Since the "rediscovery" of the Tianlongshan Grottoes by the Japanese in 1918, large-scale theft has been rampant, and most of the statues have been transported overseas, leaving almost no complete statues. Based on the photos in the 1922 book "Tianlongshan Grottoes" by Taijiro Sotomura, and the survey photos of Zhen Guan and Longren Xi, we have made a brief record of the east and west peak grottoes.

👍️Recommendation reason: During the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, take half a day off and travel in advance. 📅Travel guide: Day 1: Depart from Beijing Fengtai Station, three hours, arrive at Taiyuan Hotel at 15:00 in the afternoon. Northern Qi Mural Museum (make an appointment in advance) - Shuangta Temple (did not climb the tower) - Donghu Vinegar Garden - dinner at Xinghuatang - check in at Bell Tower Street. Day 2: Mengshan Giant Buddha - Tianlongshan Grottoes - Red Lantern Stadium (I didn’t have time to go to Jin Temple because I had an appointment to put on concert makeup, unfortunately I can only go there next time) Day 3: Taiyuan South-Datong South train at 9:45 in the morning, returned to the hotel to rest, and then went directly to Yungang Grottoes, and ate the internet-famous knife-cut noodles in the evening. Day 4: I signed up for a one-day chartered tour on Trip.com in advance, including the Hanging Temple (climbed) - Hengshan Mountain (took the cable car but did not reach the summit) - Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. At 19:00, I took the high-speed train from Datong South to Beijing North Station. 🏨Accommodation guide: JW Marriott Taiyuan, Datong Yungang Hotel 💗Other tips:

Hello everyone, I plan to travel to all 11 cities in Shanxi🚶🏻🚶🏻 If you are planning to go to Taiyuan, or don’t know where to go during the National Day❓ You can come to Shanxi to have a look. Taiyuan, Datong and Linfen are all very good. My personal guide to Taiyuan for 4️⃣ days and 3️⃣ nights 👇 ⭕️Day 1 Northern Qi Mural Museum➡️Shuangta Temple➡️Confucian Temple➡️May Day Square➡️Chunyang Palace ⚠️Must make an appointment in advance for the Mural Museum, it's a bit difficult to make an appointment😭 ⚠️Twin Pagoda Temple ticket 🎫30 yuan, you can climb the tower ⚠️Look at Shouyi Gate from Wuyi Square, it's quite spectacular ⭕️Day 2 Shanxi Merchants Museum➡️Singing Sutra Tower➡️Bell Tower Pedestrian Street➡️Yingze Park➡️Shanxi Museum ⚠️Museum reservation in advance❗️❗️ ⚠️You can eat at the pedestrian street at noon~ ⭕️Day 3 Jin Temple➡️Tianlongshan Grottoes➡️Internet-famous winding mountain road➡️Taiyuan Ancient County ⚠️Tickets: Jin Temple 80, Tianlongshan Grottoes 50, double scenic spot ticket 110 ⚠️Public transportation: There are buses all the way 🚌 very convenient ⚠️The bus from Jin Temple to Tianlongshan Grottoes takes the popular winding mountain road. It is recommended to take some photos on the bus. ⭕️Day 4 On the last day, you can choose the niche attractions you want to visit⬇️ 1️⃣Changgou Church: Great for taking photos📷, but relatively primitive and deserted 2️⃣Taiyuan Botanical Garden: Internet celebrity elevator and greenhouse 3️⃣Dou Dafu Temple, Jingyin Temple: historical temples, but inconvenient transportation 4️⃣ Beilin Park: The environment is very good, you can take a walk when you pass by ⭕️If you have less than 4️⃣ days, here are some must-see places 1️⃣Jin Temple: a scenic spot with great historical significance, a hot spot in Taiyuan 2️⃣Shanxi Museum: Needless to say, the Provincial Museum is a must-visit 3️⃣Shuangta Temple: Taiyuan's absolute landmark, worth a visit 🍜Taiyuan food recommendations: various Shanxi noodles, fried meat, hemp leaf tofu, meatball soup pancakes, mutton soup crispy cakes, etc. 🏠Accommodation: Liuxiang-Fudong Street Old Town, close to urban attractions; near Vientiane City, with complete and convenient facilities.

| A mountain, a history. Tianlongshan Grottoes is located in the southwest of Tianlong Mountain, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. It was first excavated in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and then excavated in the Eastern Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, Tang and other dynasties. There are 25 existing caves, which are located between the cliffs of the two peaks in the east and west. In the early 1920s, under the guidance of Japanese businessmen, the Tianlongshan Grottoes were severely stolen, and most of the heads of the caves were almost stolen, and some of the exquisite statues were even stolen to Japan and other countries. Now go to the Tokyo National Museum and the Nezu Museum in Japan, you can see a large number of exhibited Tianlongshan Grottoes Buddha statues and Buddha heads. The Nezu Museum has also used the Tianlongshan Buddha head as a gift to European and American countries. 🔺Main attractions [1] Gao Huan Summer Palace→Bailong Cave Tianlong Mountain is a well-deserved summer resort. Stay in the Summer Palace, look at Tianlong Mountain, the summer breeze is slow, and enjoy the comfort of nature. There is Feng Yuxiang's handwritten inscription near Bailong Cave, feeling the patriotic feelings of the revolutionary martyrs. [2] West Peak Grottoes→East Peak Grottoes It is the essence of Tianlong Mountain. Seeing the grottoes is shocking and sighing, we should be self-improving! The excavation of the grottoes has gone through the Eastern Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, Tang, and Later Jin dynasties, a total of more than 400 years, reflecting the different styles of grotto art in my country from the Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Five Dynasties. Among them, there are 8 caves in the east peak and 13 caves in the west peak, a total of 21 caves. There are 500 large and small Buddha statues, and a total of 1644 statues with relief portraits. Most of the existing ones have been destroyed by foreign invaders and countless have been lost overseas. [3] Tianlong Temple→National Treasure Museum ✔️Tianlong Temple was built in the first year of Huangjian in the Northern Qi Dynasty (560). It still preserves cultural relics and historical sites such as the Northern Qi stone stele pavilion, late Tang clay sculpture, early Ming wooden structure, Northern Han to Qing Dynasty stele, tomb pagoda and stone building components. There are two damaged Tang Dynasty clay sculptures of strong men on both sides of the mountain gate, which are praised by Qian Shaowu, a famous Chinese sculptor, as "the first seated strong man in Chinese sculpture". In summer, the Panlong pine on the side of the door is lush and spectacular. ✔️National Treasure Museum On July 24, 2021, the "8th Cave North Wall Main Buddha Head" of Tianlongshan Grottoes, which had been lost overseas for nearly a century, finally returned to its homeland. The returned Buddha head is 44.5 cm high and 33.7 cm wide. It is the first lost cultural relic of Tianlongshan Grottoes that has been recovered from Japan in nearly a hundred years. [4] Tianlong Mountain Internet Celebrity Highway Surrounded by mountains, twists and turns, it is excellent for taking pictures and checking in. 🕙Ticket sales time: 9:00-16:30 🕙Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 🎫Ticket price: 25💰/person Tianlongshan Grottoes

Shanxi Tour - Taiyuan Day 1 Check in at Taiyuan Nan Zhonghuan Intercity Hotel (very satisfied) at noon. The front desk upgraded us to a deluxe double room, which was very large. In the afternoon, we took our child for a nap and left for the Coal Museum at 3 pm. We had to queue up at the entrance to make an appointment for a guide, which cost CNY10 per person. Everyone had to make an appointment, and no one could enter alone. This museum mainly introduces the formation of coal, and there is a 4D short film that you can experience. Then you can go down the mine and let your child experience the environment and mining equipment of the coal mine. PS: There is a "Jinhuagong Underground Adventure" near Yungang Grottoes. Friends who have been there said it was also amazing, so if you haven't arranged a Taiyuan itinerary, you can consider going to Datong. In the evening, we went to Zhonglou Street. Taiyuan really invested a lot in Mayday, and their presence was felt everywhere on Zhonglou Street. I personally think Zhonglou Street is better than Wuhan's Jianghan Road. The architecture is more distinctive, and there are a lot of "Jinli" cultural and creative products. Day 2 It rained all day. We were originally going to Tianlongshan Grottoes in the morning and then to Jinci. As the rain didn't stop, we finally couldn'

🌈Dear friends, today I must share with you my wonderful journey to Tianlong Mountain! 🎄Tianlong Mountain, like a hidden gem in the world, is located in . 🏯Stepping into the mountain, the ancient temple buildings are scattered in an orderly manner, exuding a strong historical atmosphere. The traces of time have left mottled marks on the walls, as if telling stories of the past. 🌄Climbing to the top of the mountain, looking into the distance, the continuous mountains and rolling sea of clouds present a magnificent scenery that makes one marvel at the craftsmanship of nature. 🌸The flowers, plants, and trees in the mountains change colors with the seasons, each season having its unique charm. The sea of flowers in spring, the lush greenery in summer, the colorful hues in autumn, and the silver attire in winter—all bring surprises no matter when you visit. 🐒There are also those cute little animals frolicking in the forest, adding vitality and vigor to the mountain. 📸Tianlong Mountain is really perfect for photography. Whether taking pictures with ancient buildings or using natural scenery as a background, every shot can be stunning. 💖This place is not only a spot for physical relaxation but also a sanctuary for the soul.

Tianlongshan Grottoes are located in Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City. They were first excavated during the Northern Wei Dynasty and currently have 25 caves, which are distributed along the cliffs of the east and west peaks. The superb carving techniques of Tianlongshan Grottoes, the distinctive front porch and back chamber caves, especially the round sculptures, combine the elegance of Indian 🇮🇳 Buddha statues with the inherent fresh rhythm 🎶 and lines of traditional Chinese 🇨🇳 carving. They have had a profound impact on Chinese 🇨🇳 Buddhist statues! However, due to wars or theft, most of the cave heads in Tianlongshan Grottoes have been almost completely stolen, and some exquisite statues have even been entirely stolen and transported abroad. In 2001, it was announced by the State Council as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units! In February 2021, a stolen Buddha head returned after a hundred years, attracting global 🌍 attention! In 2023, it was successfully selected as one of the first 32 cultural memory projects in Shanxi Province! It is a national AAAA-level scenic spot!

During my trip in Shanxi, after visiting Jinci, my friend took us to the Tianlongshan Grottoes. Before that, I had never heard of or even knew about these grottoes, assuming it was just an ordinary tourist attraction. But to my surprise, it was far from ordinary. After listening to the introduction, I learned that the Tianlongshan Grottoes were carved during the Eastern Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang dynasties, with a history of nearly 1500 years. Between the east and west peaks, there are 25 caves, with more than 500 statues, and over 1000 pieces of reliefs, caisson ceilings, and murals... The carving techniques of the Tianlongshan Grottoes are skillful, the expressions are delicate, and they possess distinct characteristics of the times and a rich sense of life. They hold a high artistic value and occupy an important position in the history of grottoes in China and the world. 💢The largest and most unmissable grotto is the ninth one—Mantian Pavilion. A grand wooden pavilion is built above the cave to protect the stone carvings. Inside the cave, the Maitreya Buddha, the eleven-faced Avalokitesvara, the Samantabhadra Bodhisattva riding an elephant, and the Manjushri Bodhisattva riding a lion are all very spectacular. However, due to theft, weathering, and other factors, the damage and loss to the Tianlongshan Grottoes are extremely severe. The sight of the broken and fragmented statues is heartbreaking 😭. I hope there will be strengthened protection for the grottoes, and that the Buddha heads and bodies that have been lost overseas will soon return. 📍Address: Tianlongshan, Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province.

📚In the special program of "National Treasure Returning Home" of "2021 CCTV Spring Festival Gala", "National Treasure" No. 001 commentator Zhang Guoli and Shanxi University Yungang Studies Institute Dean Hang Kan witnessed the unveiling ceremony of the return of a cultural relic that had been lost overseas with the people of the whole country. 📯This is the main Buddha head on the north wall of Cave 8 of Tianlongshan Grottoes in Taiyuan, Shanxi. So what are Tianlong Mountain and Tianlong Mountain Grottoes? 📍Tianlong Mountain is located in the southwest of Taiyuan city. Starting from Jin Temple, you can reach the destination via the "Internet celebrity highway" of Tianlong Mountain. 📝According to the "Tianlongshan Thousand Buddha Tower Stele" written by Li Yun, the Shangshu Zuo Pushe and Zhongshu Shilang Pingzhangshi Shangzhuguo of the Northern Han Dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the name "Tianlong" originated from the "Book of Changes·Qian Gua", which means "Tianlong is dormant when it is hidden, and it is in the sky when it flies". According to the "Reconstruction of the Shengshou Stele of Tianlong Temple in the 25th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty, the name "Tianlong" may be taken from the Buddhist term "Tianlong Babu" meaning "Tianlong". Also in the Ming Dynasty, during the Wanli period, Prince Jing'an Yinlong stated in "Records of Rebuilding the Halls and Pavilions of Tianlong Shousheng Temple" that the name "Tianlong" came from the momentum of the mountain. 👐The Tianlongshan Grottoes began to be excavated in the Eastern Wei Dynasty. The Tianlongshan Grottoes, which took about 1,000 years to build, are gray-white sandstone, which is easy to carve and weather. The grottoes are not large in scale, with a total of 33 caves (25 in the main area), distributed on the steep hillsides on the southern slopes of the east and west peaks. 👉The grottoes can be divided into two areas, namely the main area of ​​the East and West Peaks caves halfway up the mountain and the Thousand Buddha Caves area next to the valley at the foot of the mountain. The Tianlongshan Grottoes have experienced many vicissitudes and suffered serious damage. The stone carvings that tourists can see now are mainly the reclining Maitreya statue on the upper level of Cave 9, which was spared from destruction because of its huge size and difficulty in moving. In addition to the grottoes, at the foot of Tianlong Mountain is Tianlong Temple. The total 25💰 tickets are very suitable for going outings and climbing mountains with your family. ⏰Ticket sales time: 9:00-16:30 Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 🎟Ticket price: 25/person💰

There is a parking lot for those who drive up the mountain, and the bus will take you to the entrance of the scenic area. Tianlongshan Scenic Area is well managed 👍🏻 Cleaners, security guards and volunteers can be seen everywhere The scenery on the mountain is also beautiful Unfortunately, most of the Buddha statues in the caves have been destroyed. The most worth seeing Buddha head is in the museum at the foot of the scenic area The tour takes about 3-4 hours A place you can't miss when visiting Taiyuan~ #Taiyuan good places