Luya Mountain, located in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province — the same province as China’s renowned Buddhist mountain, Mount Wutai — is famous for its beautiful ecological environment, unique geological landscapes, and legendary hanging cliffs.
When it comes to coolness, there’s the Wan Nian Bing Dong (Ten Thousand Year Ice Cave), a national geopark formed 3 million years ago. Inside the cave, ice pillars remain unmelted all year round, making it a true world of ice. In terms of culture, it is also a sacred Buddhist mountain and the practice site of Vairocana Buddha, with the Prince Hall representing the Buddha’s summit. There’s also the cliffside plank road dating back to the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenyuan era, known as “a rare horizontal cave-connected plank road in North China.” Ecologically, Luya Mountain is a national nature reserve, home to over a thousand species of animals, plants, and precious herbs, making it a rare ecological gene bank in the world. The Malun Grassland, at an altitude of 2,721 meters, is one of the largest subalpine meadows in North China and is hailed as a “flowering grassland suspended in the air.”
Below, we’ll share with you a travel guide to the Luya Mountain Scenic Area:
How to Tour: The Luya Mountain Scenic Area has over 10 scenic spots of various sizes. The main touring routes are divided into two: one focuses on the Wan Nian Bing Dong (Ten Thousand Year Ice Cave): Wan Nian Bing Dong – Shimen Hanging Coffins – Cliffside Plank Road – Fenhe River Source. The other centers around Luya Mountain: Malun Grassland – Luya Mountain – Lovers’ Valley – Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). Following these two routes allows you to save time while seeing all the scenic spots in the area.
How to Save Money: If you’re driving to the scenic area, you can purchase individual attraction tickets or bundled tickets online for even lower prices. For example: The gate price for Wan Nian Bing Dong + Shimen Hanging Coffins + Cliffside Plank Road + Fenhe River Source is about 200 RMB, but if you buy through platforms like Ctrip, Qunar, or Lvmama, the price is around 160 RMB — saving you about 40 RMB.
Accommodation Options: Accommodations in the scenic area come in several tiers. The high-end option is the Luya Mountain International Hotel, priced at about 500 RMB per night. Mid-range options are around 350 RMB per night, and budget ones are generally about 200 RMB per night. There’s also a unique lodging option in the scenic area — the self-drive campsite, which you’ll see on the way to Malun Grassland. Prices are around 400 RMB. The campsite offers barbecue and bonfire facilities, making it a great choice for family or group trips. Both the facilities and service will give you a truly special experience.
Souvenir Shopping: First choice would be the local silver plate mushrooms. These typically grow in belt-shaped clusters in the forest, resembling old military camps, hence the name. They have a rich, fragrant aroma and are considered the most nutritious among wild mushrooms. Next is “Maojian” tea, made from a perennial herbaceous plant through fermentation, and known for aiding digestion, keeping warm, and relieving fatigue — a favorite local treat for guests. Additionally, flaxseed oil and coarse grains are very popular, especially organic millet. Since you’re visiting the scenic area, why not bring some local specialties home for your family to enjoy?
Food to Try: There are many local specialties you shouldn’t miss — for example: Oat Noodles Kao Lao Lao. Locals say, “Stir-fried mushrooms steamed with oat dumplings will stuff even the greediest eater.” Flavors vary with different seasonings, but they all boast a rich aroma and smooth texture, and were once a staple food among wealthy households. Yellow Millet Fried Cake: Golden in color, crispy on the outside and sticky inside, sticky but not greasy. Because its name sounds like “getting higher,” locals often serve it during children's school exams, holidays, or when receiving guests. Ningwu Fava Beans: Also called soybeans locally. Ningwu fava beans are uniquely flavorful and highly nutritious. In earlier times, locals would roast and grind them into powder to feed babies who lacked breast milk.
Clothing Tips: Due to the large temperature difference between day and night in the scenic area, even in early June, the difference can be around 10°C. Therefore, visitors should pack long-sleeve jackets, thin pants, and other warm clothing. When visiting the Wan Nian Bing Dong, no matter how much you wear, you should still rent a down jacket — the temperature inside the cave remains low year-round, about -4°C. Remember, don’t risk freezing just to save a little money.
Legendary Ten Thousand Year Ice Cave
