If you're already visiting Pingyao, Mian Mountain makes a perfect 1-day trip for a mix of cultural history and natural beauty. It's especially worth it for those who enjoy off-the-beaten-path destinations with tranquil trails and mysterious temples.
You can expect a more relaxed experience here compared to Shanxi’s busier tourist spots, with quiet forest valleys, cliff-side temples, and stories behind China's Qingming Festival.
Mian MountainBasically, Mian Mountain is not too steep or too high to climb, and you can even make it easier with the help of shuttle buses and cable car.
Facts:
- Chinese: 绵山, Mián Shān
- Location: Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province, about 60 km (37 miles) from Pingyao
- Highlights: Shuitao Valley, Qixian Valley, Sky Bridge
- Opening: 8:00–19:00 (summer); 8:30–18:00 (winter)
- Tickets: RMB 160 (USD 22 / SGD 30), including shuttle buses inside the scenic area
- Duration: 6–8 hours for the main sights
- Suitable for: hiking, photography, seeing the natural scenery
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- Highlights of Mian Mountain
- How to Plan Your One-Day Itinerary
- How to Get to Mian Mountain
- Travel Tips
Highlights of Mian Mountain
Shuitao Valley: Family-Friendly Waterfall Trail
A relaxing 4 km trail with shady trees and small waterfalls along the way, the round trip takes about 2.5 h. It’s cool in summer and great for families. If you don’t want a long hike, turn back at the Tow Dragons Playing with a Pearl statue, the round trip then only takes 30 minutes.
Qixian Valley: Adventure Walk with Hanging Bridges
The most thrilling and exciting part of Mian Mountain. You’ll cross hanging bridges, climb slippery planks, and walk on cliffside boards above rushing water. Not suitable for small children or people with mobility issues, but a favorite for young adventurers.
Cliffside boards of Qixian ValleyThis area starts crowd control after 1:00 pm, so we recommend visiting it earlier in the day by starting your route from the top down.
Jie Shen Temple & Jie Gong's Tomb: Discover Origin of Qingming Festival
Dedicated to Jie Zitui, a loyal nobleman who died here with his mother. His story inspired the Qingming Festival. Inside the temple, you can look for detailed reliefs telling his life story, it’s a window into ancient Chinese values.
Zhengguo Temple & Yunfeng Temple: Cliff Temples
These cliffside temples are built into the rock like Datong’s Hanging Temple. They’re connected by a steep Z-shaped path. Inside the two, you’ll find 15 preserved "flesh-body Buddhas", the mummified monks encased in clay. A must-see for those interested in Buddhist heritage.
Sky Bridge: Cliffside Walk in the Clouds
A 300-meter cliff walkway, perfect for thrill-seekers. On misty days, it feels like walking through clouds. May be closed during rainy weather.
Daluo Palace: Potala Palace of Shanxi
A 13-level Taoist complex built into the mountain. You can take the elevator or climb to explore it all. It’s vast and impressive, plan at least 1–2 hours if you want to understand Taoist culture here in depth.
The exterior is impressive, you'll find tiered temples with red walls and golden roofs that make it one of the most photogenic spots on the mountain.
Longtou Temple: Underground Palace and Relics
You can visit the underground palace to see vivid sculptures of the "18 Levels of Hell", showing traditional Chinese beliefs about karma and the afterlife. You can also climb the mountain to a dragon head-shaped lookout and enter the dragon’s mouth.
Longtou TempleHow to Plan Your 1-Day Itinerary
Mian Mountain is large, but one full day is enough to see its top highlights if you plan well. We suggest starting at the top and working your way down. This way, most of the walking will be downhill and more efficient.
Option 1: Easy Route (Less walking, good for families)
Start at Shuitao Valley: Take a shuttle straight to the Shuitao Valley terminal station. Walk as far as the statue of Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl, then return the same way. The scenery beyond that point is less impressive.
Cable car to the top: Visit Jie Gong’s Tomb. From there, walk downhill to Jie Shen Temple.
Continue to Qixian Valley: Take an elevator down if you’re with children or seniors. This is the most exciting spot, with suspension bridge over streams and waterfalls beneath your feet.
Shuttle to Zhengguo Temple: You can take the elevator up to the top of Zhengguo Temple. Then walk down to Yunfeng Temple, you’ll passing the cliff-hugging Z-shaped plank path.
Shuttle to Sky Bridge: Explore the cliffside trails and Snake Cave.
Shuttle to Daluo Palace: Nicknamed the "Potala Palace of Shanxi", it is grand and striking.
End at Longtou Temple: Don’t miss the “Eighteen Levels of Hell” exhibit in the underground palace. Then take a shuttle down the mountain.
Option 2: Active Route (More walking, for hikers)
Start at Qixian Valley: Walk down into the valley and enjoy the streams and waterfalls first.
Head to Jie Shen Temple and Jie Gong’s Tomb: You’ll need to walk through a plank road built along the face of a cliff to the Jie Shen Temple, and climb 20-30 minutes of stairs to the Jie Gong’s Tomb.
Visit Shuitao Valley: Take a cable car down from Jie Gong’s Tomb, then hike to Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl and return. If you still have energy, you can walk to the end of Shuitao Valley to the Water Curtain Cave and return, the whole walking in the valley will be about 8 km, 2.5 h.
Then follow the same sequence as above: Zhengguo Temple, Yunfeng Temple, Sky Bridge, Daluo Palace, and Longtou Temple.
How to Get to Mian Mountain from Pingyao
You can take a high-speed train from Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station to Jiexiu Railway Station. It is about 20 minutes. From there, it’s another 30–40 minutes by car to Mian Mountain.
If you prefer a time-saving and flexible way, we suggest hiring a private car. The ride takes about 1 to 1.5 hours each way.
The Suggested Pingyao + Mian Mountain Itinerary
Day 1: Explore Pingyao Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Day 2: Shuanglin Temple + Wang Family Compound
Day 3: Day trip to Mian Mountain
- Depart Pingyao at 8:00 a.m.
- Arrive Mian Mountain by 9:30 a.m.
- Spend full day exploring
- Return to Pingyao or head to your next destination by 6:30 p.m.
If you are planning a trip to Pingyao, you could see our 2-Day Pingyao Highlights Tour or 4-Day Essence of Datong and Pingyao Tour. Our tours can be adjusted based on your requirements. If you want to add a trip to Mian Mountain, just feel free to contact us.
Travel Tips
1.Few crowds all year: Mian Mountain is rarely crowded, even on weekends or holidays. You can visit anytime without worrying about long lines or noisy crowds, and enjoy the scenery at your own pace.
2.Best visited in spring and summer: The waterfalls and streams are most beautiful in spring and early summer. In dry months (especially late autumn and winter), the valleys like Shuitao Valley can feel underwhelming due to low water flow.
3.Ticket options: You can book tickets online via WeChat or buy them at the entrance.
4.Not suitable for limited mobility: Most highlights require lots of walking, climbing stairs, or navigating cliff paths. There are elevators and shuttles in some areas, but the site overall isn’t friendly to visitors with mobility issues.
5.Pack smart for the day: Wear sturdy walking shoes, bring water and snacks (snacks are sold inside but more expensive), and better take a jacket with you. Don’t forget mosquito repellent, especially if you plan to hike through valleys and forests, where mosquitoes are more active.
Discover the Mountain with Us
Let us handle the details while you enjoy the views. From tickets to transport, our private tours make your Mian Mountain trip easy and unforgettable.
Contact us to customize your journey or see our popular tours: