3-Day Trip to Linfen: Journey Through the First Capital of China, Dreaming Back to the Fairyland by the Yellow River
Explore Linfen with 3,000 RMB: 3 Days and 2 Nights, Touch the 5,000-Year-Old Roots of Chinese Civilization and the Roar of the Yellow River
Friends, I’m a traveler who loves to measure mountains and rivers with my footsteps. This time, I didn’t go to those trendy cities but took a detour straight into the “heart” of Shanxi — Linfen. Before the trip, I only knew “Yaodu Pingyang” and thought it was just loess and coal mines. But after three days, my wallet lost less than 3,000 RMB, while my soul was completely “fed”: touching the warmth of 4,000 years ago at Yao Temple, feeling the roar of the Yellow River at Hukou Waterfall, slurping a bowl of spicy and satisfying beef meatball noodles in a small alley… Linfen gave me the highest-level shock in the most low-key way.
Why Linfen?
This place is known as the “First Capital of China,” where Chinese civilization first rose. Traveling is not just about sightseeing but also about answering “Where do we come from?” In Linfen, every brick and handful of soil gives you the answer. Plus, the cost of living here is very affordable — a bowl of authentic noodles costs only a dozen yuan or so, perfect for those on a budget but eager for a deep experience.
Pre-Trip Tips
· Clothing: Shanxi has a big temperature difference between morning and night, so follow the “onion layering” method. It’s windy at Hukou Waterfall, so be sure to wear a hat and a sandproof neck cover.
· Transportation: City attractions are accessible by bus, but for Hukou Waterfall and Hongtong, it’s recommended to charter a car or carpool to save time.
· Budget allocation: 3,000 RMB is a “luxury travel” standard. I actually spent less, but you can definitely eat more delicately and stay more comfortably.
Itinerary Overview and Cost Summary
This trip revolves around two main themes: “Tracing Civilization Origins” and “The Epic of the Yellow River,” with a well-paced rhythm.
Itinerary Route
· Day 1: Civilization Roots Tour. Yao Temple -> Huamen Gate -> Linfen Museum -> Night stroll at Fenhe Park.
· Day 2: The Yellow River Epic Live. Full day trip to Hukou Waterfall in Jixian County (Shanxi side) -> Return to city for authentic local food.
· Day 3: Seeking Roots at the Hometown and City Life. Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree Ancestral Worship Park -> Explore and eat around Drum Tower -> Return trip.
Cost Budget (Total: 2,940 RMB)
To give you a clearer idea of how the money is spent, I’ve organized the budget below. This budget allows for comfortable travel with some extra margin.
Transportation Costs
· Major transport (round trip): High-speed train, about 600 RMB
· Local transport: City bus/taxi + round-trip carpool to Hukou Waterfall, about 300 RMB
Accommodation Costs
· Budget hotel (2 nights): Such as Boxin Elegant or Ziya Hotel, about 150-250 RMB/night, total about 400 RMB
Entrance Fees
· Yao Temple & Huamen Gate: Combined ticket about 50 RMB
· Linfen Museum: Free (reservation required)
· Hukou Waterfall: Ticket about 100 RMB
· Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree: Ticket about 80 RMB
· Total: about 230 RMB
Food Costs
· Daily meals: Tasting beef meatball noodles, shaomai, fried dough cakes, etc., about 100 RMB/day, total 300 RMB
· One special meal: Such as experiencing the “Chongba Banquet” simple meal, about 150 RMB
Other Reserves
· Emergency fund: For snacks, souvenirs, etc., about 110 RMB
Day 1: Travel Through 5,000 Years, Touch the Beginning of Civilization in Ancient Pingyang City
Morning: Yao Temple and Huamen Gate, Opening the Door to Civilization
My first stop in Linfen was straight to Yao Temple. Built during the Jin dynasty, this temple is dedicated to the wise ruler Emperor Yao of ancient China. Inside, towering ancient cypress trees stand, and the natural wonder of “cypress embracing locust tree” amazes with the power of nature and time. Standing by the Yao Well Pavilion, imagining the ancestors drawing water here 4,000 years ago, the weight of history hits you.
Next to Yao Temple is Huamen Gate, known as the “World’s First Gate.” It’s even taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and itself is a grand monument to Chinese civilization. Climbing the gate tower offers a panoramic view of Linfen city, and inside, it richly displays the epic of civilization from Yao and Shun to the present.
Afternoon: Linfen Museum, Interpreting History Through Artifacts
A short taxi ride from Huamen Gate is the uniquely designed Linfen Museum (new building). Its architecture is inspired by the ancient observatory of the Taosi site and is a work of art itself. The museum exhibits precious artifacts from the Dingcun people 100,000 years ago to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Especially the displays about the Taosi site (possibly the earliest “China”) help you connect the morning’s civilization legends with concrete archaeological evidence.
Evening: Fenhe Park, Encountering the Gentleness of Pingyang
In the evening, I strolled to the free-to-enter Fenhe Park. The sunset and the calm river instantly wash away the day’s fatigue. Locals walk and exercise here, full of life’s flavor — a great spot for shooting city lifestyle scenes.
Accommodation Recommendations:
· Boxin Elegant Hotel (Pingyang Square Branch): Opened in 2022, very new facilities, smart toilets, big TVs, close to the train station, convenient transportation.
· Linfen Ziya Hotel: A cost-effective choice, clean and hygienic, offers breakfast, well-reviewed.
Both hotels are in Yaodu District, convenient for visiting attractions and food streets.
Day 2: Head to Hukou, Listen to the Most Powerful Heartbeat of the Yellow River
This day, dedicate all your time and reverence to the Mother River.
All day: Hukou Waterfall (Shanxi side)
It takes about 2 hours by car from the city to Hukou Waterfall. It’s recommended to book a carpool in advance (about 150-200 RMB per person round trip). When I stood in front of it, any words or videos felt pale. The muddy Yellow River narrows and plunges here, spraying a vast yellow mist, and the thunderous water sound shakes your chest. Be sure to go down to the “Dragon Cave” (extra 20 RMB), to look up from below the waterfall and truly feel the majestic power of “Yellow River water coming from the sky.”
📌 Practical Tips:
· Best viewing period: Flood season (July to October) when water volume is largest and most spectacular.
· Be sure to protect against sand and water: The mist is heavy, protect your phone and camera, and wear non-slip shoes.
Evening: Reward Yourself with a Bowl of Beef Meatball Noodles
Back in the city, you must try the “soul” of Linfen cuisine — beef meatball noodles. I went to Xue Lao Wu Beef Meatball Noodles (Qingshi South Street), highly recommended by local friends. The red chili oil soup looks intimidating but tastes fragrant without being overpowering. The hand-made beef meatballs are chewy and springy, paired with smooth noodles. One bite heals all the travel fatigue. If you can’t handle spicy food, remember to order mild spice.
Day 3: Seek Roots at the Hometown, A Perfect Farewell in the City’s Lively Atmosphere
Morning: Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree, Ask Where I Come From
“Ask me where my ancestors are from, Shanxi Hongtong Great Pagoda Tree.” This folk song has made this place the spiritual homeland for Chinese people worldwide. The scenic area is a national 5A-level site built around the Ming dynasty migrant settlement. Touch the symbolic second-generation ancient pagoda tree, stand quietly in front of the ancestral hall, and a sense of family identity across time and space naturally arises. The park also offers many intangible cultural heritage performances and interactive activities, creating a strong immersive experience.
Noon: Fushan Shaomai and Street Snacks
For lunch, try Fushan Shaomai, praised even by Emperor Qianlong. The skin is as thin as cicada wings, shaped like a pomegranate, with delicious filling. Or explore the early market and alleys near Drum Tower for the most authentic local flavors:
· Fried dough cake: Golden and crispy, with sweet filling, a joyful carb bomb.
· Pig’s blood sausage: Can be eaten cold or stir-fried, with a unique taste, a local favorite.
With a mouthful of lingering flavors and a heart full of cultural harvest, you can happily start your journey home.
Final Words
This Linfen trip cost me less than 3,000 RMB but bought me a VIP ticket through 5,000 years of history. It has no over-packaged noise, only the silent origin of civilization and the endless power of the Yellow River. Here, travel is no longer fleeting but a solid “root-seeking” and “recharging.”
If you’re tired of the same old trendy check-ins and want a place that moves your heart, Linfen, with its broad embrace and simple local life, tells you: “All journeys are departures, but arriving in Linfen is coming home.”
I hope this guide helps you meet the profound and warm Linfen. If you discover anything new, remember to come back and share it with me!