Dragon Head Temple (Lóngtóu Sì)
Unique temple with a Dragon emerging from the forest
What to see in Dragon Head Temple
The Dragon Head Temple (Lóngtóu Sì; 龙头寺) is the first temple you will see when entering Mount Mian (or Mian Mountain) at the first bus stop.
This temple is famous for its unique architectural design, which resembles a reclining dragon, with the head emerging from within the mountain forest. According to a legend, the Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty (Li Shimin) visited the area and had a vision of two dragons, which inspired the name of the temple and the structure that mimic a dragon’s form.
We recommend a short stop to explore this scenic place and get some souvenirs and snacks from the shops in the area before you venture deeper into the Mianshan Scenic Area. The bus passes by every 10/15 minutes, so you can just hop off, explore any of the temples scattered across the mountain, and hop on the next bus. The map on Travel tips highlights all the main areas in the mountain and respective bus stops.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Pratical Info of 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.
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