Mianshan (Mian Mountain)
A Chinese National 5-A Level Scenic Spot
What to see in Mianshan
In the remote reaches of China's Shanxi province, lies Mianshan (also known as Mian Mountain, Mount Mian, Mian Shan or Mianshan Scenic Area), a Chinese national 5-A level scenic spot, making Mianshan one of the most famous landmarks in China. With ancient Taoist temples cling to the rugged cliffsides, tombs, mummified monks, tales and myths, Mianshan (Mount Mian) deserves to be part of China top landmarks list.
In Mianshan you will find mystical paths on the Qixian Valley, unique religious complexes like Zhengguo, hanging temples on the Tiānqiáo or Sky Bridge and pathways. Most of the path that connects this points can be reached using an beautiful and less known old trail across Mount Mian.
One of the highlights when visitng Mianshan, are the buddha mummies in the Zhengguo complex, which are real monks, some of whom may have deliberately subjected themselves to extreme fasting and seclusion. In some cases, this could have led to natural mummification, a phenomenon also seen in other Buddhist cultures where monks sought self-mummification as an act of spiritual devotion.These preserved remains would have been viewed with reverence, possibly regarded as relics of spiritually enlightened individuals.
Top attractions in Mianshan
How to Get to Mianshan
Localized on central Shanxi Province in North China, Mianshan is quite easy to access from Beijing or Xi’an by high speed train. The train station closest to Mianshan are Jiexiu and Jiexiu East. Booking your train tickets at least 2 days advance is advisable as they often sell out. You can easily book them online on Trip.com.
By Car
From Jiexiu
In case you have a car you can easily drive up to the entrance and leave the car in the parking nearby.
If you don’t have a car then you can use the Didi app (exists inside the WeChat app) or use a taxi, which can be more expensive.
By Organized Tour
For a seamless and stress-free experience, consider a guided tour that includes transportation from and to the train station. Below are some suggestions to help you plan your trip:
By Public Transportation
You can get to Jiexiu from Beijing in 3h 45min and it can cost from 232CNY in 2nd class to 715 CNY in business class.
From Xian to Jiexiu it takes about 3h and the cost vary between 145 CNY in 2nd class and 424 CNY in business class.
Pingyao is just 10 minutes away from Jiexiu and it can cost from 6 CNY to 10 CNY.
Once you reach the Jiexiu train station you can use the Didi app to get a driver or simply catch a cab at the Mianshan scenic area.
Where to Stay near Mianshan
Pingyao has a wide range of accommodation options both in the inner and outer part of the city wall. Inside the Ancient City Walls you will find many options in the beautiful ancient Chinese-style houses which will definitely add to your experience in the city.
One place we recommend is Pingyao Yiheju Inn. This is where we stayed while in Pingyao and we loved our time their. The room was very comfortable and beautifully decorated in the ancient Chinese style. The hosts were very kind and caring, providing helpful information and always ensuring that we were enjoying our time there. They even lent us their electric bike so that we could go out of the city wall and explore the Shuanglin Temple.
Top Hotel Recommendation in Pingyao
Another possibility it’s to stay in Jiexiu city in order to be closer to Mianshan. The range of accommodations and restaurants are lower when compared to Pingyao but you will be able to get to Mianshan sooner and leave later, when comparing to coming from Pingyao or Xi’an using public transportation.
Also, the people of Jiexiu are very welcoming, always trying as much as possible to help you whenever you need, making this city a very pleasent alternative to more touristic and crowded Pingyao.
Top Hotel Recommendation in Jiexiu
Where to Eat in Mianshan
If you're considering hiking this trail, we suggest bringing food with you, as the only available food vendors we encountered were located near the bus stops, and not all of them were open. There used to be restaurants but most of them were closed when we visited so don’t expect to find complete meals in the mountain.
Practical Info about Mianshan
Mianshan Map
Although there are maps of the area at the multiple bus stops across the road, when doing the trails you will not find them. Having the Mianshan scenic area map has proven very useful while planning the trip and exploring the trails.
Map from tanpu2
We highly recommend purchasing the hop-on hop-off bus ticket, as it allows you to quickly move between different points of the mountain, maximizing your time. It cost only 50 CNY.
The price of the admission ticket during high season (April - October) is 110 CNY, while during the rest of the year it cost 90 CNY.
To find the best travel flight deals, compare prices across different airlines and providers, and book your ticket at the lowest price, we highly recommend using our Flight Price Comparator.
To book hotels and even trains in China from a foreign country, Trip.com is your best bet. It has a wide range of options and is much more affordable than a traditional travel agency.
Not all debit cards work in China, if you have a VISA or Mastercard, for instance you can only use your card in some hotels and in the Bank of China ATMs. Have money with you at all times or use WeChat to pay.
WeChat is incredibly useful while in China, not only you can use it to pay and to talk with your new Chinese friends, it also allows to do a myriad of other stuff such as translations or ordering a cab.
When traveling to the other side of the globe is always a good idea to get an insurance to cover any unpredictable issue that may occur. Good insurance options for your travel to China are Insubuy or VisitorsCoverage.
Having good access to internet during a trip is always crucial either to help you find your way to or to share your amazing photos along the way. It can however sometimes be a real headache. Universal physical cards like DrimSim can be an option. An incredible incredibly convenient alternative is airalo, a eSIM (card-free) service that allows you to top up if you need more. Additionally, airalo is connected to a VPN, which is highly recommended while in China as most of the non-Chinese websites will not be available.
For additional ideas and suggestions for your trip to China use the Travelook app as your China trip planner. In the app, you'll discover this and many other trips and destinations in China shared by travelers from around the globe. The app uses also the power of AI to help you optimize your time and maximize your travel experience in China.
10 top travel tours in china
China, with its vast size, boasts some of the world's most breathtaking natural landscapes and awe-inspiring man-made wonders. While traveling in China is becoming more accessible for foreigners, challenges like the closed payment system and the need for a Chinese mobile number can make the experience daunting for international tourists.
To make exploring China easier and less stressful, we've curated a list of the top 10 best tours in China. These tours provide to different interests and preferences, offering options ranging from all-inclusive packages with private transfers, guides, and dining experiences, ensuring you can select the one that best suits your needs.
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