
Qikou Ancient Town · Lijiashan Village · Yellow River
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.
3
Bookable attractions
4.50/5
Average rating
4K
Total reviews
0
Free entries
| Top attraction | Rating | Reviews | Ticket (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qikou Ancient Town | 4.6 | 3,850 | $13.50 |
| Lijiashan Hanging Village | 4.7 | 720 | $8.50 |
| North Wudang Mountain | 4.5 | 410 | $11.50 |
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.
Lüliang, in western Shanxi along the Yellow River, is the home of the 5A Qikou Ancient Town and the 1,400-year-old Lijiashan mountain village. The prefecture has 43 A-grade sites including 1 of Shanxi's 12 5A sites: Qikou Ancient Town (the 500-year-old Yellow-River-side merchant town). The prefecture also has the Lijiashan Hanging Village, the North Wudang Mountain, the Cangya Mountain Forest, the Xingxian Black Cattle Hotpot, the Liulin Wan-Tuo (cold noodles), and the Yellow River Liulin-Yangkuo ferry.
Best Season
Apr-Oct
Days Recommended
2 Days
Avg Budget
$171
Location
Shanxi, China
Must-See Spots

A 5A 500-year-old Yellow River-side merchant town in Liulin county, the most-photographed historic town in western Shanxi. The 5A complex has the 1,000-meter Ming-era commercial street, the Hekou Old Wharf (the 17th-century Yellow River ferry port), the Black Dragon Cave temple, the original Ming-dynasty town wall, and the Zhao family mansion. The 5A town is paired with the Lijiashan Hanging Village for a 1-day western Shanxi heritage trip.
Allow 4-5 hours. The 1,000-meter Ming-era commercial street is the highlight. Combine with the Lijiashan Hanging Village for a 1-day trip.

A 4A 500-year-old mountain village perched on the Yellow River gorge cliffs in Liulin county, the most-photographed mountain village in Shanxi. The 4A complex has the 100-meter hanging village, the original 16th-century village ancestral halls, the 1,000-year-old yellow-clay cave dwellings, and the panoramic view of the Yellow River gorge. The 4A village is paired with the Qikou Ancient Town.
Allow 3 hours. The 100-meter hanging village is the highlight - the most-photographed mountain village in Shanxi. Combine with Qikou.

A 4A 2,000-meter mountain in Fangshan county, the northern branch of the Wudang Taoist sacred mountains. The 4A mountain has the 1,000-year-old Taoist temples, the 1,000-meter cable car to the summit, the 1,000-year-old pine forest, and the panoramic view of the Lüliang mountain range. The most-photographed Lüliang mountain site.
Allow 5-6 hours. The 1,000-meter cable car (80 RMB) saves 2 hours. Best May-October; in winter the upper temple is closed.

A 4A mountain forest park in Gujiao (Taiyuan-adjacent Lüliang), the pine-forest high-altitude lake destination. The 4A park has the 1,500-meter high-altitude lake, the 1,000-year-old pine forest, the 1-km forest walk, and the summer high-altitude escape. The most-photographed Lüliang-Taiyuan border destination.
Allow 4 hours. The 1,500-meter high-altitude lake is the highlight. Best June-September; the summer temperature is 10°C cooler than Lüliang city.

A 1,000-year-old Song-dynasty Buddhist temple in Wenshui county, the original 1,000-year-old wooden hall paired with the 1,000-year-old Song-dynasty stone-carved sutra pillars. The 4A temple is the most-photographed Wenshui cultural site.
Free entry. Allow 1 hour. The 1,000-year-old wooden hall is the highlight. Combine with the Wenshui county town tour.

An unrated 1,000-year-old Yellow River ferry connecting Shanxi and Shaanxi, the most-photographed Shanxi western Yellow River crossing. The ferry runs 5-6 times a day and is a 30-minute river crossing.
Allow 1 hour. The ferry is the highlight - the most-photographed Shanxi-Shaanxi Yellow River crossing. Combine with Qikou.

An unrated modern museum in Lüliang city covering the 1,000-year-old Lüliang-area Yanmen Pass border history. Free entry.
Free entry. Allow 1 hour. Combine with the Lüliang city tour.

A 1,000-year-old Liulin county specialty street food, the cold buckwheat-noodle served with aged vinegar, chili oil, and garlic. The most-recognizable Liulin street food, found at every Liulin morning market.
Allow 30 min. Pair with the Qikou trip. The Wantuo is the highlight - the Liulin signature.
Local Flavors

A 1,000-year-old Liulin county specialty - buckwheat noodles pressed into a bowl-shape and served cold with aged vinegar, chili oil, and garlic. The most-recognizable Liulin street food, found at every Liulin morning market.
Recommended: Any Liulin morning market, or the Qikou town vendor

A 1,000-year-old Lüliang specialty - whole Yellow River carp braised in aged vinegar and ginger for 30 minutes. The traditional Lüliang river-side dish, found at every Qikou and Lijiashan restaurant.
Recommended: Any Qikou Yellow-River-side restaurant, or the Lijiashan village restaurant

A 1,000-year-old Lishi county specialty - mountain red dates used in the traditional Lüliang congee and the winter tonic. Found at every Lüliang morning market.
Recommended: Any Lishi county morning market, or the Lüliang supermarkets

A 1,000-year-old Xingxian county specialty - mountain millet used in the traditional Lüliang millet congee. Found at every Xingxian morning market.
Recommended: Any Xingxian county morning market

A 1,000-year-old Lüliang morning staple - steamed dumplings filled with pork and Chinese chives, paired with millet congee. The most-recognizable Lüliang morning food.
Recommended: Any Lüliang morning market, or the Qikou Old Street vendor

A 1,000-year-old Wenshui county specialty - pork belly cured in salt and local herbs for 30-45 days, then steamed. Found at every Wenshui county restaurant.
Recommended: Any Wenshui county town restaurant, or the Baoqing Temple visitor-area vendors
Curated Itineraries

A 1-day trip covering the 5A Qikou Ancient Town and the 4A Lijiashan Hanging Village. The most-photographed Lüliang itinerary.

A 2-day trip combining the Qikou-Lijiashan heritage with the North Wudang Mountain. The most-photographed Lüliang trip.

A 3-day trip combining the Qikou-Lijiashan heritage with the Wenshui county tour. The most-popular Lüliang south trip.
Trip Planning
Total estimated budget: $171 per person
Actual costs vary by travel style, season, and booking choices.
Common Questions
Apr-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 $171 per person, depending on hotel level, transport, and attraction choices.
Yes. Lüliang has diverse attractions, flexible route options, and accommodation levels suitable for family trips.
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