Things to do in Ying County

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is centered on the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. This pure wooden pavilion-style pagoda was first built in the second year of Qingning of the Liao Dynasty (1056) and later expanded and completed during the Mingchang period of the Jin Dynasty. It is the oldest surviving wooden pagoda in China. The pagoda has five visible stories, with concealed stories inserted between them, making nine stories in total, and stands about 67 m tall. Apart from the stone platform base on the first story, the main body of the pagoda is built entirely of wood, connected using traditional mortise-and-tenon craftsmanship, and the whole pagoda uses more than 50 types of bracket sets, demonstrating exquisite structural design. For more than nine hundred years, the pagoda has withstood many major earthquakes and modern artillery bombardment and still stands today. Due to the need for cultural relic protection, visitors may only visit the first floor inside the pagoda. There is a door on each of the north and south sides of the first floor. In the center of the inner chamber is a seated statue of Shakyamuni about 10 m tall, with a dignified face and a solemn expression. Looking up, you can see the exquisite coffered ceiling at the top. On the walls of the inner chamber are painted six Buddha images of Tathagata, and on the walls on both sides of the doorway are painted Liao Dynasty-style murals featuring Vajra, disciples, and offering figures, with bright colors and lifelike figures. Multiple plaques from various dynasties hang under the eaves of each story of the wooden pagoda, two of which were written by Ming emperors and are particularly striking. Under the south eaves of the fifth story hangs the plaque "Supreme Divine Craftsmanship," written by Zhu Di, Emperor Chengzu of Ming, when he climbed the pagoda during a northern military campaign in the Yongle era; under the south eaves of the fourth story hangs the plaque "Wonder of the World," written by Zhu Houzhao, Emperor Wuzong of Ming, when he ascended the pagoda to feast and reward his ministers after the Yingzhou victory in the Zhengde era. These plaques are not only calligraphic treasures but also record the intersection of the wooden pagoda with historical figures, together with the architecture itself forming a distinctive cultural view of the attraction.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Shuozhou

Jingtu Temple

It is located in the northeast corner of Ying County, also known as the North Temple. Founded in the second year of Jintianhui (1124). The main hall is the Daxiong Hall, which was rebuilt in the twenty-fourth year of Dading (1184). The temple originally had a mountain gate, a stupa, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Bell and Drum Towers, the East and West Side Halls, the Mahavira Hall, the apse, and the Tibetan Sutra Building. Today, only the Mahavira Hall remains. The Daxiong Hall is the main hall of the whole temple. It was built in the twenty-fourth year of Jin Dading. The single eaves rest on the top of the mountain, the roof of the hall is covered with tubes and tiles, and the eaves are inlaid with green glaze. The building is magnificent. The caisson in the hall is surrounded by golden dragons on all sides, with beautiful shape and fine composition. The murals on the four walls of the hall were painted in the Qing Dynasty, mainly describing the Buddhist deeds of Sakyamuni Buddha and various Bodhisattvas.

Fogong Monastery

The core of Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Scenic Area - Fogong Temple, carries thousands of years of history and culture, and shines brightly in the long river of time. Fogong Temple was first built in the second year of Qingning in the Liao Dynasty (1056 AD). At that time, Emperor Xingzong of Liao agreed to build it under the advocacy of Empress Xiao. Monk Tian was ordered to build it, and it was later completed in the sixth year of Jin Mingchang (1195 AD). The temple is arranged along the central axis, with buildings such as the mountain gate, wooden tower, and brick gatehouse distributed in sequence. In front of the mountain gate, the bell and drum towers on the east and west sides echo each other; when you step into it, the east and west side halls have their own characteristics. The east hall enshrines the guardian deity of the temple, while the west hall has a statue of Bodhidharma. The most eye-catching thing in the temple is the Sakya Pagoda of Fogong Temple, which is also known as the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. It is the only existing pure wooden pavilion-style ancient tower in China. It looks like a five-story, six-eave tower, but it actually has nine floors, with five visible floors and four hidden floors. The tower houses 34 colorful statues and about 304.65 square meters of murals. It also excavated and restored 160 Liao Dynasty cultural relics, including two particularly precious Buddha tooth relics.​

Ying County Wooden Pagoda Scenic Area - Yingzhou Ancient City Wall Site

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

Xuankong Temple

Xuankong Temple is located between the cliffs of Cuiping Peak in Jinlong Gorge, Hengshan. It was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and has a history stretching longer than 1,500 years. It is a well-preserved high-altitude wooden cliff building in China. At the foot of Hengshan, from a distance, you can see the Hanging Temple suspended over the mountainside. The entire temple is hung on the steep cliff, skillfully utilizing and building into the concave and convex portions of the cliff, making it exceptionally staggered and yet rhythmic. Visitors walk along the wooden plank road suspended within the temple to feel the magical architectural charm of the Hanging Temple.

Yingxian Muta Foya Sheli Vr 3D Experience Hall

"Climb the wooden pagoda without regret, immerse yourself in Buddha's nirvana." Ying County Wooden Pagoda attraction introduces a 3D&VR experience, allowing visitors to digitally explore the restored Sakyamuni Pagoda through 3D glasses and VR headsets. With Buddhist chants lingering in the air and virtual flower petals raining down, the guide accompanies visitors throughout this immersive journey. The Sakyamuni Pagoda, commonly known as the Ying County Wooden Pagoda, is located in Ying County, Shanxi Province. Built in the second year of the Liao Dynasty's Qingning era (1056 AD), this 67.31-meter-tall pagoda ranks as the foremost among the world's three most remarkable pagodas. Constructed entirely of wood without nails or rivets, it has withstood nearly a millennium of wind, rain, and warfare, still standing proudly before us today. However, after a thousand years of natural tilt, restoration poses significant challenges. To protect this architectural marvel, visitors are currently limited to exploring only the first floor. To compensate for this limitation, the Ying County Wooden Pagoda attraction has implemented AIGC digital imaging technology combined with 3D&VR, offering visitors an immersive experience of this thousand-year wonder through the "wings" of modern technology. 3D glasses and VR headsets will take you to every corner of the wooden pagoda, allowing you to observe the marvels of wooden architecture in detail and appreciate the wisdom of ancient craftsmen. For thousands of years, China has primarily used wood as the main building material. Mortise-and-tenon joints and bracket sets were our ancestors' patented wooden construction techniques. This nail-free connection method can be called a flexible linkage—while the intersecting points converge at a single spot, the framework isn't rigidly fixed, maintaining a degree of flexibility. When earthquakes occur, the mortise-and-tenon bracket structures resonate with the seismic waves, preventing significant damage to the building. Ying County's wooden pagoda features over 60 types of bracket structures, not even counting the mortise-and-tenon joints. These bracket systems act as shock absorbers within the wooden framework. Despite standing for nearly a millennium, enduring weathering, artillery strikes, and numerous strong earthquakes, the pagoda remains standing tall with only slight tilting. 3D glasses and VR headsets will also guide you through the treasures of Ying County's wooden pagoda, including the Seven Jewels and Buddha's tooth relic, along with the meticulously handwritten record by Xu Zhiqian of Rongbaozhai in standard regular script: "In the summer of 1966, a hexagonal silver box was discovered within the square recess of the wooden framework in the chest of the main statue on the fourth floor of the wooden pagoda. It contained the Seven Treasures and Buddha's tooth relic. The Buddhist Seven Treasures, also called Seven Jewels, vary in descriptions across scriptures. Those in the wooden pagoda consist of gold coins, silver pieces, copper coins, fragrant clay cakes, crystal glass, agarwood, and rosin beads. Both the Buddha's tooth and relics refer to the remains of Sakyamuni." The Buddha's tooth relic, a supreme treasure of Buddhism, captivates visitors from around the world with its unique form and profound cultural significance. Relics typically appear as bead-like or crystalline formations, varying in shape and color—some resembling transparent dewdrops, while others shimmer with gem-like brilliance. Through VR headset technology, you'll be fully immersed in the sacred hall of the Buddha's tooth relic. This is more than viewing a precious artifact—it's experiencing a spiritual journey spanning millennia. Each relic embodies the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, representing the essence of Buddhist culture. May you find inner peace and clarity while basking in the solemn radiance of the Buddha's tooth relic. You'll also experience an up-close view of the tower's numerous inscribed plaques—something even real tower climbers can't achieve. These plaques narrate stories and offer praise, including Emperor Wuzong of Ming's "Wonder of the World" and Emperor Yongle's "Divine Craftsmanship of Supreme Heights," which inspire awe. The surviving fragments of the Khitan Tripitaka fill a historical gap in China's ancient Buddhist canon compilations, while the Liao Dynasty's three-color printed "Sakyamuni Preaching the Dharma" is the only extant copy worldwide, holding immeasurable value in bibliography, documentation, and academic research.

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Scenic Area - Ksitigarbha Hall

Ksitigarbha Hall, primarily dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, is one of the important auxiliary halls of a Buddhist temple.

Liao Dynasty Culture City

No. 9 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Shanxi

Yanmenguan

Yanmenguan, located approx. 30 km northwest of Dai County in Xinzhou, is a pass on the inner Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, andNingwu Pass, together with Pianguan, they are known as the "three outer passes". There is no public transportation from Dai County town to the attraction, so you can only get there by private charter. Inside the attraction, you have to rely entirely on walking.YanmenguanSince ancient times, it has been a crucial pass for the Central Plains dynasties to defend against invasions from northern nomadic tribes. Its earliest history can be traced back to the Warring States period when King Wuling of Zhao fought against the Xiongnu here. Han Dynasty generals Li Guang, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing once led troops to battle the Xiongnu in this area. During the Northern Song Dynasty,YanmenguanIt became the main battlefield between the Song and Liao dynasties, and the prototype of the well-known story of the Yang family generals took place here. A statue of Yang Liulang stands in the attraction. ExistingYanmenguanIt was built in the seventh year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1374) (with multiple reconstructions in recent years). Currently, there are three gates (east gate, west gate, and small north gate). A wild goose tower stands atop the east gate, and the lintel of the small north gate (i.e., the barbican gate) is inscribed with "Yanmenguan"Three large characters flanked by brick-carved couplets: 'Foremost strategic pass in three frontiers, most revered fortress among nine passes,' both inscribed by the great calligrapher Fu Shan of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. You can visit the ruins of Ming and Qing military barracks on the hill north of the fortress. To the right outside the west gate areGuan Yu templeOutside the east gate stands the Jingbian Temple, dedicated to Li Mu, a renowned general of the Zhao state during the Warring States period. If you are a fan of the Great Wall, when you visit Yanmenguan, you can walk along the ancient pass trail here. The ancient pass trail in the attraction is built along the local mountain terrain, winding through the peaks. Climbing this section of the trail may be slightly tiring for those who usually work in offices, but when you ascend a peak along the ancient path and gaze at the vast expanse of withered grass outside the pass, quietly feeling the weight of history, you'll find the physical effort well worth it. There are some farmhouse inns near Yanmenguan that can provide food and stay, but most visitors return to Dai County or go to other counties or cities for accommodation. Walking the ancient pass consumes a lot of energy, so you can bring some dry food and drinking water.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes Scenic Area is divided into a landscape zone and the grottoes. It is one of the three largest grottoes in China. The sculpture combines Chinese and Western art. Here you can experience the artistic charms of Northern Wei Dynasty. Yungang Grottoes not only embodies traditional Chinese art style but also integrates art styles of ethnic groups from ancient India, countries west of China and China's central plains. It is a famous historical site in Datong City.