Xinzhou
Mount Wutai · Yanmen Pass · Foguang Temple · Buddhist Pilgrimage
Last updated 22 July 2026 · by the Walk Voyage Editorial Team
Visitor data snapshot
What travelers actually experience in Xinzhou
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
4.70/5
Average rating
16K
Total reviews
0
Free entries
| Top attraction | Rating | Reviews | Ticket (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Wutai | 4.6 | 8,499 | $7.39 |
| Yanmen Pass (Yanmenguan) | 4.7 | 7,133 | $13.30 |
| Dailuoding | 4.7 | 787 | $0.00 |
| Foguang Temple | 4.8 | 126 | $0.00 |
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.
Xinzhou at a glance
Travel snapshot- Province
- China
- Best season
- May-Oct (mountains) | Dec-Feb (winter pilgrimage)
- Trip length
- 2 days recommended
- Avg budget
- $214 per person
- Top attractions
- 8 featured · 6 rated 4.7+
- Food picks
- 6 signature dishes
- Routes curated
- 3 multi-day itineraries
- Budget
- ¥2760 itemized
About Xinzhou
Xinzhou, in northern Shanxi bordering Inner Mongolia, is the home of the UNESCO World Heritage Mount Wutai (one of Buddhism's four sacred mountains) and the 5A Yanmen Pass (the 'First Pass of the Great Wall'). The prefecture has 45 A-grade sites including 2 of Shanxi's 12 5A sites: Mount Wutai and Yanmen Pass. The prefecture also has the 1,300-year-old Foguang Temple (home to one of China's three surviving Tang wooden structures), the 1,200-year-old Nanchan Temple (the oldest surviving wooden structure in China), the Dai county Yanmen Pass fortress, and the Wutai Mountain 108-temple Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.
Best Season
May-Oct (mountains) | Dec-Feb (winter pilgrimage)
Days Recommended
2 Days
Avg Budget
$214
Location
Shanxi, China
Must-See Spots
Top Attractions in Xinzhou
Mount Wutai (Wutaishan)
A 5A UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist sacred mountain, one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China (with Mount Emei, Mount Putuo, and Mount Jiuhua). The 5A mountain has 47 active temples, the 1,300-year-old Foguang Temple (the East Hall, one of China's three surviving Tang wooden structures), the 1,200-year-old Nanchan Temple (the oldest surviving wooden structure in China), the 1,000-year-old Xiantong Temple, the Dailuoding small-pilgrimage peak (1,080 steps), and the 3,058-meter Yeotuo Peak. The 8,499 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Shanxi mountain site.
Allow 2-3 days. The main Taihuai town ticket is 135 RMB, with the Xiantong Temple and Tayuan Temple inside. The Foguang Temple is 15 km outside the main park. Dailuoding cable car (50 RMB) saves 1 hour.
Yanmen Pass (Yanmenguan)
A 5A Ming-dynasty Great Wall pass in Dai county, the most strategic Ming-era pass, the 'First Pass of the Great Wall'. The 5A complex has the Ming-era fortress wall, the Yangtianling peak mountain-climbing section, the Zhao Yidi memorial temple, and the original 1,000-year-old Northern-Han era frontier fortress. The 7,133 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Xinzhou Great Wall site.
Allow 4 hours. The Yangtianling mountain-climbing section (2 hours) is the highlight. The Zhao Yidi memorial is the cultural anchor. Combine with the Dai county city tour.
Foguang Temple
A 1,200-year-old Tang-dynasty wooden temple 15 km outside the Mount Wutai main park, home to the East Hall (the 857 AD original Tang wooden structure, one of China's three surviving Tang wooden structures) and the famous Sakyamuni mural (one of China's oldest painted wall art). The 126 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Foguang cultural site.
Allow 1.5-2 hours. The East Hall is the highlight - 1,100-year-old wooden structure with no nails. The Sakyamuni mural is in the back wall. Combine with the Nanchan Temple.
Nanchan Temple
A 1,400-year-old Tang-dynasty wooden temple 20 km outside the Mount Wutai main park, home to the 782 AD Main Hall, the oldest surviving wooden structure in China, the Tang-dynasty Sakyamuni Buddha, and the 1,000-year-old painted wall mural. The 65 Trip.com reviews rank it the second-highest Mount Wutai cultural site.
Free entry. Allow 1 hour. The Main Hall is the highlight - 1,200+ year-old wooden structure. Combine with the Foguang Temple.
Dailuoding (Dailuo Peak)
A 4A 1,000-meter peak in the Mount Wutai main park, the 'small pilgrimage' route climbed by 1,080 stone steps from the Tayuan Temple. The 5A peak is the most-photographed Mount Wutai sub-summit, with the Manjusri Bodhisattva Hall on the summit. The 787 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Mount Wutai cultural site.
Free entry. Allow 4 hours for the 1,080-step climb. The cable car (50 RMB) saves 1.5 hours. Best May-October; in winter the upper temple is closed.
Pusading (Bodhisattva Summit)
A 4A summit temple in the Mount Wutai main park, the traditionally called 108th of Wutai's 108 peaks, with the 1,000-year-old Bodhisattva Hall, the 1,000-year-old Tibetan Buddhist temple, and the panoramic view of the Mount Wutai central range. The 288 Trip.com reviews rank it the second-highest Mount Wutai sub-summit.
Free entry. Allow 1.5-2 hours. The 1,000-year-old Tibetan Buddhist temple is the highlight. Combine with the Dailuoding climb.
Xiantong Temple (Mount Wutai Main Park)
A 1,900-year-old Eastern Han-dynasty Buddhist temple in the Mount Wutai main park, the oldest and largest of the Mount Wutai temples, with the 1,000-year-old Tang-dynasty main hall, the 1,000-year-old bronze pagoda, and the 1,000-year-old Wanfo Hall. The 255 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Mount Wutai historical temple.
Free entry. Allow 2-3 hours. The 1,000-year-old bronze pagoda is the highlight. Combine with the Tayuan Temple and Dailuoding.
Pagoda Temple (Tayuan Si)
A 1,000-year-old Mount Wutai temple with the 56-meter-tall Tibetan-style Great White Pagoda - the most-photographed Mount Wutai landmark. The 285 Trip.com reviews rank it the top-rated Mount Wutai small-temple site.
Free entry. Allow 1 hour. The 56-meter Tibetan White Pagoda is the highlight - Wutai's most-photographed icon. Combine with Xiantong Temple.
Local Flavors
What to Eat in Xinzhou
Xinzhou Wa-Su (Wafu Pastry)
A 1,000-year-old Xinzhou pastry - thin flaky sesame and sugar pastry, the traditional Xinzhou snack. Found at every Xinzhou morning market and the Mount Wutai visitor area.
Recommended: Any Xinzhou morning market, or the Mount Wutai visitor-area vendors
Wutai Mountain Taimo Mushroom Chicken (Tai Mo Dun Ji)
A 1,000-year-old Mount Wutai specialty - free-range chicken stewed with the local Taimo mushroom (a wild mushroom unique to the Mount Wutai alpine meadows) for 4-6 hours. The traditional Mount Wutai pilgrim food, found at the Mount Wutai temple-side restaurants.
Recommended: Mount Wutai Taihuai town restaurant, or the Dailuoding climb vendor
Xinzhou Steamed Meat (Xinzhou Zheng Rou)
A 1,000-year-old Xinzhou specialty - pork belly steamed with millet flour and aged vinegar for 6-8 hours, served in a bamboo steamer. The traditional Xinzhou winter dish, found at every Xinzhou morning market.
Recommended: Any Xinzhou morning market, or the Mount Wutai village restaurant
Mount Wutai Vegetarian Cuisine (Wutai Su Zhai)
The 1,000-year-old Mount Wutai Buddhist temple vegetarian cuisine - meat-free dishes made with local Taimo mushroom, tofu, and mountain vegetables. Found at the 47 Mount Wutai temple-side restaurants.
Recommended: Mount Wutai Taihuai town temple-side restaurant, or the Foguang Temple vegetarian restaurant
Dai County Millet Noodles (Dai Xian Xiao Mi Mian)
A 1,000-year-old Dai county specialty - millet-flour noodles in a clear mutton broth with cilantro and aged vinegar. The traditional Dai county winter meal, found at every Dai county restaurant.
Recommended: Any Dai county town restaurant, or the Yanmen Pass visitor-area vendors
Xinzhou High-Liang Noodle Fish (Xin Zhou Gao Liang Mian Yu Yu)
A 1,000-year-old Xinzhou specialty - sorghum-flour shaped like small fish and steamed with vegetables and chili oil. The traditional Xinzhou winter comfort food, found at every Xinzhou morning market.
Recommended: Any Xinzhou morning market, or the Mount Wutai village vendor
Curated Itineraries
Suggested Routes in Xinzhou
Mount Wutai 2-Day Cultural Trip
A 2-day cultural trip to Mount Wutai covering the main Taihuai town temples, the Dailuoding climb, the Foguang Temple, and the Nanchan Temple. The most-popular first-time Mount Wutai itinerary.
Xinzhou + Yanmen Pass 2-Day Trip
A 2-day trip combining the Mount Wutai pilgrimage with the 5A Yanmen Pass. The most-photographed Xinzhou itinerary.
Xinzhou + Datong 4-Day Grand Trip
A 4-day trip combining Mount Wutai, Yanmen Pass, and Datong Yungang Grottoes. The most-popular Shanxi north grand loop.
Trip Planning
Travel Budget for Xinzhou
Transport
Dining
Attractions
Accommodation
Total estimated budget: $214 per person
Actual costs vary by travel style, season, and booking choices.
Common Questions
Xinzhou Travel FAQ
What is the best time to visit Xinzhou?
May-Oct (mountains) | Dec-Feb (winter pilgrimage) is generally the best season, with comfortable weather for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
How many days are recommended for Xinzhou?
2 days is a practical baseline for first-time visitors covering major highlights.
What is a typical travel budget in Xinzhou?
A common reference is around $214 per person, depending on hotel level, transport, and attraction choices.
Is Xinzhou suitable for family travel?
Yes. Xinzhou has diverse attractions, flexible route options, and accommodation levels suitable for family trips.
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