
Taihang Grand Canyon · Eighth Route Army · Shangdang Cuisine
Last updated 22 July 2026 · by the Walk Voyage Editorial Team
Visitor data snapshot
Verified visitor numbers, ratings, and ticket prices from a third-party travel platform. Trip.com international edition (USD pricing), snapshot 2026-08-01 · snapshot 2026-08-01.
4
Bookable attractions
4.50/5
Average rating
10K
Total reviews
1
Free entries
| Top attraction | Rating | Reviews | Ticket (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baquanxia (Eight Spring Gorge) | 4.6 | 6,221 | $26.59 |
| Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon | 4.6 | 2,311 | $14.77 |
| Tongtian Gorge Scenic Area | 4.4 | 1,563 | $0.00 |
| Tianji Mountain Scenic Area | 4.5 | 265 | $34.27 |
Source: Trip.com international edition (USD pricing), snapshot 2026-08-01. Prices and review counts shift over time; check the source platform for current booking.
Changzhi, in southeastern Shanxi in the southern Taihang mountain range, is the home of the 5A Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon and the Eighth Route Army 1938-1940 headquarters. The prefecture has 36 A-grade sites including the Baquanxia (Eight Spring Gorge) cable-car canyon, the Taihang Grand Canyon full-route, the Pingshun Tongtian Gorge, and the Shangdang Lu'an Mansion City God Temple. The area is the historic home of the Taihang mountain culture and the Lucheng hand-shaken pie (甩饼).
Best Season
May-Oct
Days Recommended
2 Days
Avg Budget
$186
Location
Shanxi, China
Must-See Spots

A 5A Taihang mountain gorge in Huguan county, the 1-day 1.6-km canyon cable car with the 800-meter cliff-side boat ride through the 100-meter-deep gorge. The 4A national park is the most-photographed Changzhi nature site, paired with the Hongdou Gorge (Red Bean Gorge), the Longmen Temple cliff-temple, and the 1,000-year-old Huguan county village cluster.
Allow 6 hours for the full Baquanxia + Hongdou Gorge loop. The cliff-side boat ride (separate 50 RMB ticket) is the highlight. The 1,000-year-old Longmen Temple is the cultural anchor.

The 4A full-route of the Taihang Grand Canyon scenic area, the 1-day 12-km canyon hike covering the Hongdou Gorge, the Baquanxia, the Tianshengqiao natural bridge, and the 1,000-meter canyon-floor trail. The 2,311 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Taihang scenic site.
Allow 5-6 hours. The Tianshengqiao natural bridge is the highlight. Wear non-slip shoes.

A 4A Taihang gorge in Pingshun county, the 3-hour 100-meter-deep red-rock canyon hike with the 1,500-year-old Jindeng Temple cliff-temple at the canyon mouth. The 1,563 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Pingshun nature site.
Free entry. Allow 3 hours. The Jindeng Temple is the highlight - 1,500-year-old cliff-temple on the canyon mouth.

A 4A Ming-Qing era City God temple in central Changzhi, the largest and best-preserved Shangdang-area city god temple. The 4A complex has the 1,000-year-old main hall, the 5-meter-tall Ming-dynasty painted clay city-god, and the 1,000-year-old Shangdang wood carving gallery. The 1,000+ Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Changzhi cultural site.
Allow 2 hours. The Shangdang wood carving gallery is the highlight. Combine with the Changzhi Museum next door.

A 4A 1,800-meter mountain in Pingshun county, the 'Top of Taihang' experience with the 500-meter glass viewing platform. The 265 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Pingshun mountain site.
Allow 6 hours. The glass viewing platform is the highlight. Wear layers - 1,800 m altitude is cold.

A 4A red-tourism site in Wuxiang county, the 1938-1940 Eighth Route Army headquarters site - the original Zhuanbi Temple and the surrounding village preserved as a national education base. The 4A park is the most-photographed red-tourism site in the southern Taihang mountains.
Free entry. Allow 3 hours. The Zhuanbi Temple is the highlight. Combine with the Changzhi city tour.

A 1,500-year-old cliff-temple in Pingshun county, the cliff-side 14-meter Ming-dynasty Buddha carved into the canyon mouth. The 13 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Pingshun heritage site. Free entry.
Free entry. Combine with Tongtian Gorge for a 1-day Pingshun trip. The 14-meter Ming Buddha is the highlight.

A 1,000-year-old Pingshun monastery, the 940 AD five-stone pagoda is the most-photographed original Tang-dynaya stone pagoda in Shanxi. The 14 Trip.com reviews rank it the second-highest Pingshun cultural site. Free entry.
Free entry. The 940 AD five-stone pagoda is the highlight. Combine with Tongtian Gorge and Jindeng Temple.
Local Flavors

A 1,000-year-old Changzhi specialty - whole donkey meat braised in a complex spice mix for 6-8 hours, then sliced and served cold. The traditional Shangdang festival dish, paired with the Lucheng hand-shaken pie. Found at every Changzhi restaurant.
Recommended: Changzhi Old Mansion (长治老宅院) on Lucheng East Street, or any Lucheng restaurant

A 1,000-year-old Lucheng county specialty - thin wheat-flour pancake with pork-mushroom filling, baked on a hot iron with the chef literally throwing the dough in the air to stretch it. The most-recognizable Changzhi street food, found at every Lucheng morning market.
Recommended: Lucheng East Street (潞城东街) morning market, or the Changzhi night market vendors

A 1,000-year-old Huguan county specialty - clear mutton broth with hand-pulled noodles, lamb slices, cilantro, and aged vinegar. The traditional Huguan cold-weather comfort food, found at every Huguan morning market and the Baquanxia visitor-area vendors.
Recommended: Huguan morning market, or the Baquanxia visitor-area vendors

A 1,000-year-old Changzhi breakfast staple - steamed buns filled with braised pork, vegetables, or red bean paste. Found at every Changzhi morning market, the typical morning meal in central Changzhi.
Recommended: Any Changzhi morning market, or the Lu'an Mansion City God Temple vendor

A 1,000-year-old Pingshun staple - millet porridge with Pingshan-style smoked meat, scallion pancakes, and aged vinegar. The traditional Pingshun farmer's breakfast, found at every Pingshun village breakfast stall.
Recommended: Any Pingshun village breakfast stall, or the Tongtian Gorge visitor-area restaurants

A 500-year-old Changzhi specialty - rice-flour jelly served cold with aged vinegar, chili oil, garlic, and cucumber. The traditional Changzhi summer street food, paired with the Lucheng hand-shaken pie.
Recommended: Any Changzhi night market, or the Lucheng morning market
Curated Itineraries

A 1-day trip covering the 5A Baquanxia canyon and the Taihang Grand Canyon full-route. Best May-October.

A 2-day trip combining the Taihang Grand Canyon with the Pingshun cliff-temples. The most-photographed Changzhi itinerary.

A 3-day trip combining the Taihang Grand Canyon with the Jincheng Imperial City Xiangfu. The most-popular Shanxi southeastern trip.
Trip Planning
Total estimated budget: $186 per person
Actual costs vary by travel style, season, and booking choices.
Common Questions
May-Oct is generally the best season, with comfortable weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
2 days is a practical baseline for first-time visitors covering major highlights.
A common reference is around $186 per person, depending on hotel level, transport, and attraction choices.
Yes. Changzhi has diverse attractions, flexible route options, and accommodation levels suitable for family trips.
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