Xingtai is located in the southern part of Hebei Province. It is an "ancient capital of five dynasties" with a history of more than 3,500 years. The Taihang Mountains and the North China Plain meet here, creating a dual tourism charm of "landscape wonders and cultural heritage".
This guide will guide you to accurately visit Xingtai’s key attractions and experience the authentic Jinnan style with the least time cost.
⛰️ [Exquisite travel itinerary: three-day in-depth tour is arranged like this]
Classic landscape three-day tour
First day: Arrive in Xingtai in the morning, then go to Tianhe Mountain (Chinese Love Mountain) to feel the romantic atmosphere created by the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Then embark on a hiking and water tour, and check out the wonders of the "pot cave".
The vehicle drove in the afternoon, heading towards the place called Yunmeng Mountain to see the scenery called "Hutian Wonderland" with high hanging waterfalls and Guiguzi cultural relics. At night, they stayed in a B&B in the mountains.
The next morning, we went to the Xingtai Grand Canyon, also known as the Taihang Strange Gorges, and focused on visiting Huangchao Gorge and Liushui Gorge. Red Cliff Cliff and Qingxi Bitan complement each other to form an interesting scenery. This is a paradise for photographers.
In the afternoon, we went to the place called Jiulong Gorge to experience the very rare strange gorge like the deep valley, as well as the ruins of the ancient Ming Dynasty Great Wall, so as to feel the atmosphere where history and nature blend together.
On the morning of the third day, I went to visit a place called North Wudang Mountain, climb the peak called "Laoye Mountain", and overlook the Taihang scenery of the continuous mountains in front of the Zhenwu Temple.
Return in time in the afternoon, ending the fulfilling geological tour of Taihang Mountains.
Cultural and leisure two-day tour
On the morning of the first day, we went to visit Baiyun Cave in Kongshan Mountain. Go explore the wonders of the caves in the north. Go and admire the karst landscape with five cave halls including "Earth" and "Heaven".
In the afternoon, drive to Bianque Temple to admire the sacrificial buildings with a long history and learn about the profoundness of Chinese medicine culture.
In the morning area of the second day, we went to visit the place called Kaiyuan Temple, compare and compare the unique characteristics of Zhengding Kaiyuan Temple, and appreciate the charm of the Tang Dynasty and the bell tower architecture of the Jin Dynasty.
Arrive at the Xingtai Ancient Town in the afternoon to experience the culture dedicated to the God of Wealth, display the history of Xingtai, and have a one-stop experience that reflects local folk customs. Before leaving, don’t forget to go to the Wine Culture Zone to learn about the local winemaking process.
📸 [Check-in at core attractions and special experiences]
Tianhe Mountain: The core check-in points are the "pot cave" landform and "magpie bridge".
I strongly advocate to experience the kind of slides and rafting in the mountains, in order to combine the beautiful scenery presented by the mountains and rivers with the passion that speed can bring.
There is abundant water in summer , which is the best time to play in the water.
Among the following sayings, the best place to watch is in the Xingtai Grand Canyon where Huangchao Gorge is located. Huangchao Gorge in the Xingtai Grand Canyon has a red cliff with a depth of 400 meters. This cliff is particularly easy to take good-looking photos.
It is recommended to bring your own dry food, as there are few supply points in the canyon, and you can measure the majesty of the Taihang Mountains with your feet.
Kongshan Baiyun Cave: The stalactites in the cave have different shapes and the lighting design is clever.
Pay special attention to the "reticular curled stone", which belongs to the same type of caves in China. It is a rare and strange landscape that is really worth watching.
Bianque Temple, in addition to the main hall, don't forget to pay attention to the ancient cypresses and the Touling Stele in the temple. Its historical vicissitudes are extremely strong.
During the temple fair in the third lunar month every year, this place becomes very lively and has a strong folk custom atmosphere.
Xingtai Ancient Town: This is not only a scenic spot, but also a window to experience local life.
It is recommended to visit at night , when the electric lights are brightly lit, and then the gardens and buildings in the ancient town area become more and more unique in the night sky. In addition, you can still choose to buy more products and stationery created by the unique literary and artistic creations of Xingtai.
🍜 【Local Food and Accommodation Guide】
Must-eat authentic food list:
A very representative local staple food is called Xingtai braised pancakes. The pancakes have a chewy texture and a rich meat aroma. When paired with vinegar and garlic, it will give people an endless aftertaste.
Neiqiu hanging pork is spicy, sour and fragrant, with a smooth and tender texture. It is a signature dish of Neiqiu area and is extremely appetizing.
There is a kind of food called Lincheng cured pork. It has such characteristics that the fat part does not make people feel greasy, and the thin part does not look hard. It is a delicious delicacy that local residents will prepare every time during the New Year and festivals. Moreover, it can be packed in a vacuum and can be taken away.
The outer skin is crispy and the inner flesh is tender, with extremely clear layers. It is wrapped in donkey meat or braised for decoration, making it an authentic breakfast or light meal option.
Food around the scenic area: In the farmhouses around the scenic areas such as Tianhe Mountain and Yunmeng Mountain, you can taste freshly picked wild vegetables from the Taihang Mountains, soups made from local chickens, and a series of stew dishes cooked in iron pots. The ingredients used are completely in their natural state, and the taste of these delicacies is simple and pure.
Suggestions for accommodation options:
In the urban area (Qiaoxi District/Xindu District), transportation is convenient, there are a large number of hotels to choose from (such as Wanfeng and Chenguang), and the supporting facilities are in a complete state. It is suitable to be treated as an accommodation base for cultural tourism, which is conducive to tasting the delicious food in the urban area.
Surrounding scenic areas (mountainous areas): the best choice to experience landscape tourism .
There are many boutique B&Bs and farmhouses around the Xingtai Grand Canyon, and the air is very fresh. Around Tianhe Mountain, there are also many boutique B&Bs and farmhouses where you can enjoy the scenery through windows. There are also many boutique B&Bs and farmhouses around Jiulong Gorge, allowing people to experience mountain living in depth.
🚗 【Transportation and practical reference】
External transportation: Xingtai transportation is accessible in all directions.
The extremely convenient high-speed rail departing from Beijing, Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou and other places goes directly to Xingtai East Station and is connected to the Beijing-Guangzhou Line.
It can be reached by self-driving via Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, Xing-Hengzhou Expressway and other lines.
Internal transportation:
From urban areas to counties/scenic spots: mainly rely on long-distance buses or tourist lines.
If you want to go to the east-line attractions like Kongshan Baiyun Cave and Bianque Temple, you can take a bus at Xingtai Central Bus Station; if you want to go to the west-line attractions such as Tianhe Mountain and the Grand Canyon, it is recommended to choose self-driving or chartering. This is because mountainous attractions are scattered and public transportation takes a long time. Chartering a car can make the most of your visit time.
Self-driving tips: The roads in the Taihang Mountains are mostly winding roads with many turns and steep slopes, so novices should proceed with caution .
Pay attention to icy roads in autumn and winter, and check the condition of your vehicle in advance.
The navigation can directly search the names of the above attractions, and the road signs are clear.
Best time to travel: April to October is the best period to visit.
In the spring, the mountain flowers are in a brilliant state. The forsythia in Tianhe Mountain and the peach blossoms in Jiulong Gorge bloom one after another. In summer and autumn, the water becomes plentiful, and the atmosphere in the canyon is cool and pleasant. This is the peak season for summer vacation and water play. In mid-to-late October, the red leaves in Taihang Mountain are like blazing fire, and the woods are dyed with color. This is the golden time for photography.
Practical Tips:
There is a big temperature difference between mountainous areas and urban areas, so it is recommended to prepare a light jacket even when traveling to mountainous areas in summer.
There are many steps in the Taihang Mountain Canyon, so it is recommended to wear comfortable and non-slip sports shoes .
When visiting the Baiyun Cave in Kongshan Mountain , the light inside the cave is dark and humid, so please pay attention to safety under your feet.
It is recommended to check the latest opening hours and ticket policies of attractions on various travel apps in advance, especially paying attention to peak passenger flow during holidays.
Comments NOTHING