Luya Mountain Scenic Area

Luya Mountain Scenic Area

Luya Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Luya Mountain is the main peak of the Guancen Mountains. The photo shows the Guancen Mountain Tianchi, which is ranked among China’s Three Great Heavenly Lakes alongside Tianchi of Changbai Mountain and Tianchi of Tianshan Mountain. In terms of altitude, area, landscape, or fame, Guancen Mountain Tianchi is not on par with those of Changbai or Tianshan. So what exactly earned it a place among China’s Three Great Heavenly Lakes? Guancen Mountain Tianchi boasts a glorious history unmatched by any other in China—you wouldn’t believe that 16 emperors in history visited the lake to escape the summer heat and go hunting; nor would you imagine that this tranquil little body of water is the very source of two mighty rivers, the Fen River and the Sanggan River, which stretch for thousands of miles. Moreover, there is a species of carp in the Tianchi, known as the "Redline Fish" due to the red stripe along its back, which was considered a premium tribute in ancient times—ordinary people naturally had no chance to taste it. Today, enjoying Tianchi carp is no longer a royal privilege; you only need to come to the lake to taste what was once reserved exclusively for emperors. Luya Mountain gets its name from its peaks that are stacked layer upon layer, resembling the pointed tips of reed sprouts.

Both Luya Mountain and Mount Wutai are located in Xinzhou. You may not have heard of Luya Mountain, but it holds equal importance in the hearts of locals. Filled with primal beauty and mystery, Luya Mountain became a national forest park in 1997 thanks to its many rare natural resources. It is a concentrated showcase of various landscapes in China and has been hailed by Hong Kong’s Ta Kung Pao as the “Green Pearl on the Loess Plateau.” It is the most ecologically intact and pristine region in North China and can even be called a miracle in the history of global ecological conservation.

The Wan Nian Bing Dong (Ten Thousand Year Ice Cave)—No one would believe there’s an ice cave in North China, but it’s real. The Wan Nian Bing Dong is 3 million years old, making it China’s largest ice cave and the largest in the mid-latitude zone. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it freezes in summer and melts in winter. Moreover, given the local environment, there’s simply no condition for ice formation. So when did it form? How did it form? The mystery remains unsolved.

Scenic Area Address: Within Ningwu County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province

Best Travel Time: All year round

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 17:00

Scenic Area Ticket: 230 RMB per person

Transportation Information: Luya Mountain Scenic Area is located in Dongzhai Town, Ningwu County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. It’s a half-hour drive from downtown Ningwu and a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Taiyuan. There are intercity buses from Ningwu County to Dongzhai Town running every 15 minutes. Upon arriving in Dongzhai Town, take the scenic area shuttle to reach the site. Ningwu Bus Station tel: 03504723341; Ningwu Railway Station tel: 03508596422. Route A: Taiyuan — (Datong-Yuncheng Expressway) — Xinzhou — (Xinzhou-Wutai Line) — Dada Dian — Dongzhai Route B: Taiyuan — (Taiyuan-Jiaozuo Expressway) — Fengrun Exit — Jingle — (Ningwu-Baiyin Line) — Dongzhai