
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda · Ming City Wall · North Shanxi
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.
2
Bookable attractions
4.50/5
Average rating
2K
Total reviews
0
Free entries
| Top attraction | Rating | Reviews | Ticket (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Fogong Temple) | 4.8 | 1,250 | $7.39 |
| Cizang Yuan | 4.4 | 600 | $4.43 |
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.
Shuozhou, in northern Shanxi, is the home of the 1,000-year-old Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (the world's tallest surviving wooden pagoda) and the reconstructed Ming-era Shuozhou Ancient City Wall. The prefecture has 8 A-grade sites. The most-photographed attraction is the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (67.31 m tall, built in 1056 without a single nail - the tallest wooden pagoda in the world). The prefecture also has the Dai County Yanmen Pass Memorial, the Shuozhou Shuo-Fu ancient commercial district, and the 1,000-year-old Yingxian Cizang Yuan monastery.
Best Season
May-Oct
Days Recommended
1 Days
Avg Budget
$157
Location
Shanxi, China
Must-See Spots

A 1,000-year-old Song-dynasty wooden pagoda in Yingxian county, the world's tallest surviving wooden pagoda at 67.31 m, built in 1056 without a single nail or metal fastener. The 9-story pagoda has survived 7 major earthquakes (including the 1976 Tangshan earthquake) and dozens of natural disasters, a UNESCO World Heritage candidate. The 4A pagoda is the most-photographed Shanxi heritage site and the most-photographed wooden structure in China.
Allow 2 hours. The exterior view is the highlight - the 1,000-year-old wooden pagoda is the most-photographed wooden structure in China. Combine with the Cizang Yuan monastery.

A reconstructed Ming-Qing era city wall in central Shuozhou, restored in 2015, 10 km around old Shuozhou. The 4A wall has 4 main gate towers, the 14-meter-tall granite walls, and the night-illumination of the wall is the most-photographed Shuozhou scene.
Free entry to walk on top. Best at sunset (17:30-19:00). Allow 1.5-2 hours for the full wall loop.

A 1,000-year-old Yuan-dynasty Buddhist monastery 2 km from the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the 5,000-monastery courtyard with the original Yuan-dynasta wood-carving gallery. The 4A monastery is paired with the Wooden Pagoda for a 1-day Yingxian trip.
Allow 1 hour. The original Yuan-dynasty wood carving is the highlight. Combine with the Wooden Pagoda.

A 4A cultural park in Dai county, the Dai (a northern Chinese ethnic minority) cultural-heritage site, with the 1,000-year-old Dai county city wall, the original Dai ethnic-museum, and the 1,000-year-old Dai county stone-carved sutra pillar.
Free entry. Allow 1 hour. Combine with the Yanmen Pass trip.

A 4A modern museum in central Shuozhou, the regional museum with the 1,000-year-old Yingxian Wooden Pagoda architectural model, the 1,000-year-old Shuozhou commercial history, and the 1,000-year-old North Shanxi ethnic-minority culture exhibit. The most-photographed Shuozhou indoor attraction.
Free entry. Closed Mondays. Allow 1 hour. Combine with the Shuozhou Ancient City Wall tour.

An unrated 4A combined park in Yingxian county covering the 1,000-year-old Wooden Pagoda, the Cizang Yuan monastery, and the 1,000-year-old Yingxian commercial street. The 4A park is the most-photographed Yingxian site.
Free entry. Allow 2 hours. Combine with the Wooden Pagoda.

A 1,000-year-old Northern-Han dynasty county wall in Yingxian county, the original 1,000-year-old county fortress with the 1,000-year-old Northern-Han era watchtowers. The 4A wall is the most-photographed Northern-Han era site in Shanxi.
Free entry. Allow 1 hour. The Northern-Han watchtowers are the highlight. Combine with the Wooden Pagoda.

A reconstructed 1,000-year-old Drum Tower in central Shuozhou, the most-photographed Shuozhou historic structure. The 4A tower is paired with the Shuozhou Ancient City Wall.
Free entry. Allow 30 min. Combine with the Shuozhou Ancient City Wall tour.
Local Flavors

A 500-year-old Shuozhou street food - deep-fried dough rings with red sugar syrup, the traditional Shuozhou New Year snack. The most-recognizable Shuozhou winter street food, found at every Shuozhou morning market.
Recommended: Any Shuozhou morning market, or the Yingxian county town vendor

A 1,000-year-old Shuozhou specialty - pressed sunflower oil used in the traditional Shuozhou noodle and the stir-fry. Found at every Shuozhou supermarket and the morning market.
Recommended: Any Shuozhou supermarket, or the Yingxian county town vendor

A 500-year-old Shuozhou specialty - rolled-oat breakfast cereal, paired with milk or congee. The traditional Shuozhou cold-climate breakfast, found at every Shuozhou supermarket.
Recommended: Any Shuozhou supermarket

A 1,000-year-old Shuozhou specialty - lamb shoulder steamed with aged vinegar, ginger, and Chinese herbs, served family-style. The traditional Shuozhou winter dish, found at every Shuozhou restaurant.
Recommended: Any Shuozhou restaurant, or the Yingxian county town restaurant

A 1,000-year-old Yingxian specialty - hand-cut noodles in a clear mutton broth with cilantro and aged vinegar. The most-recognizable Yingxian street food, found at every Yingxian morning market.
Recommended: Any Yingxian county morning market, or the Wooden Pagoda visitor-area vendors

A 1,000-year-old Shuozhou festive dish - steamed glutinous rice and yellow soybean flour cake, served with red-fruit jam. The traditional Shuozhou New Year and wedding dish, found at every Shuozhou morning market.
Recommended: Any Shuozhou morning market, or the Yingxian county town vendor
Curated Itineraries

A 1-day trip covering the 1,000-year-old Wooden Pagoda and the Cizang Yuan monastery. The most-photographed Shuozhou itinerary.

A 2-day trip covering the Shuozhou city sites and the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. The most-popular first-time Shuozhou itinerary.

A 3-day trip combining the Shuozhou city with the Datong Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple. The most-popular northern Shanxi trip.
Trip Planning
Total estimated budget: $157 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.
1 days is a practical baseline for first-time visitors covering major highlights.
A common reference is around $157 per person, depending on hotel level, transport, and attraction choices.
Yes. Shuozhou has diverse attractions, flexible route options, and accommodation levels suitable for family trips.
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