Shanxi, Yangquan, Sandu Village
by Brown_Liam_3
Feb 8, 2025
Hidden deep in the Taihang Mountains, an "Aerial Ancient Village"! A divine photo spot undiscovered by 90% of people ✨
Folks! You won't believe it! I discovered an ancient village in Yangquan that looks like it walked out of a painting! Stone houses are built layer upon layer on the cliffs, and when the clouds and mist roll in, it's like stepping into a fairyland 🌫️ The best part is, it's uncrowded and beautiful, every shot looks like a blockbuster! Follow my guide and go!
🌟 Must-visit highlights of Daping Ancient Village
- Cliff Stone House Cluster: All the houses in the village are built with stones, arranged organically along the mountain. Look up and see roofs connected to roofs, look down and see the valley. Taking a panoramic shot from the observation deck is incredibly stunning. It's recommended to use a wide-angle lens to capture both the ancient village and the Taihang Mountains in the background~
- Millennium Old Locust Tree: The old locust tree at the village entrance is said to be over 1000 years old, with lush branches and leaves, full of spiritual energy! Wear a light-colored dress and stand under the tree, let the sunlight filter through the leaves onto you, and you'll get gentle and story-filled photos 📸
- Ancient Village Stone Slab Paths: Stroll through the alleys on the bluestone paths, with mottled stone walls on both sides, occasionally seeing villagers sitting at their doorways basking in the sun. Every casual shot feels like 'the life you aspire to'! Remember to squat down a bit to shoot, using the stone wall as a foreground, to make the picture more layered~
- Mountain Top Observation Deck: Climbing to the mountaintop offers a panoramic view of the entire ancient village, especially in the early morning or evening, when the sunlight slants across the stone houses, the warm yellow light is incredibly healing! In the evening, you can also wait for a mountain sunset; when the sunset glow paints the sky red, pressing the shutter will give you wallpaper-worthy photos!
🚗 Itinerary & Transportation Guide
1. Transportation: Self-driving is recommended (navigate to "Yangquan Daping Ancient Village"). It takes about 1.5 hours from Yangquan city. The winding mountain roads along the way are incredibly scenic, but remember to slow down and drive carefully~
2. Playtime: Half a day to a full day is enough. Arrive around 9 AM, explore the ancient village, take photos, have a farmhouse meal in the village at noon, and climb to the observation deck in the afternoon to watch the sunset. The timing is just right and not rushed~
🍚 Dining & 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
- Dining: You must try the farmhouse dishes in the village! Iron pot stew, stir-fried farm eggs, cold mixed wild vegetables – all made with fresh ingredients, super authentic flavors, and you can eat your fill for 30-50 yuan per person~
- Accommodation:
1. Daping Ancient Village Homestay: Located right in the ancient village, these homestays are renovated stone houses that retain the village's characteristics. You can sleep to the sound of the mountain breeze at night, super quiet~
2. Daping Hot Spring Resort Hotel: About a 20-minute drive from the ancient village, you can soak in hot springs and stay in comfortable rooms. It's suitable for those who want to relax, with a great environment and good value for money~
3. Yangquan City Hotels: If you prefer a livelier stay, you can return to the city, for example, "Yangquan Hotel" or "Yangquan R&F Wanda Realm Hotel." They offer convenient transportation, dining, and shopping~
5+ Hidden Gems Nearby, Play to Your Heart's Content!
1. Daping Hot Spring Resort Scenic Area: Super close to the ancient village! After exploring the village, soak in the hot springs to relieve climbing fatigue, it's incredibly comfortable ♨️
2. Cuifeng Mountain Natural Scenic Area: High forest coverage, super cool in summer! You can hike, see waterfalls, and visit the "Forest Oxygen Bar," suitable for family trips~
3. Hongyanling Yuhuang Cave: The stalactites in the cave are incredibly stunning! With colorful lights shining on them, it's like stepping into a fantasy world, perfect for photos 🌈
4. Niangziguan Scenic Area: "The Ninth Pass Under Heaven" lives up to its name! You can see the Great Wall, explore the ancient town, and experience "Niangziguan Rafting," super refreshing in summer~
5. Guguan Great Wall Scenic Area: Far fewer people than Badaling! You can climb the Great Wall, see beacon towers, and feel the weight of history, suitable for those who prefer less crowded sections of the Great Wall~
6. Cangshan Scenic Area: The legendary hiding place of "The Orphan of Zhao," with mountains, water, and ancient temples. The scenery is beautiful, and you can learn about historical stories~
Folks! Daping Ancient Village is truly one of those places "you won't want to leave once you've been." While it hasn't been discovered by too many people yet, hurry and plan your trip! Remember to follow me~ I'll be sharing more hidden gems in Shanxi later, helping you unlock different ways to travel. See you next time for more explorations~ ❤️
Post by Benjamin@Johnson | Sep 12, 2025






















