Plan at a glance
Location and internal transport
Mian Mountain Scenic Area is in Nanhuaizhi Village (南槐志村), Mianshan Town, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong. Navigate to “Mian Mountain Scenic Area Visitor Center”; the entrance is at the main gate. The scenic area is large and its attractions are spread out, so the sightseeing bus is essential. The transport fee is CNY 50 per person, a mandatory cost charged separately from admission.
The buses can be flagged down and used without a ride limit, but every stop is followed by walking on mountain roads, steps, or plank paths. The shorter route takes about 4–5 hours; the fuller route takes 8–10 hours and may involve 20,000–30,000 steps. Visitors with limited mobility, severe fear of heights, or strollers are not suited to the full route.
Tickets and hours
Admission is CNY 110 per person in the peak season from April 1 to October 31 and CNY 90 in the low season from November 1 to March 31. The CNY 50 transport fee is mandatory. Students and visitors aged 60–64 receive half-price admission; children under 1.2 metres, visitors aged 65 and above, service members, and visitors with disabilities are exempt from admission. Transport charges follow the day’s ticket policy.
Peak-season hours are about 07:30–18:30, with entry ending at 18:00. Low-season hours are about 08:00–17:30. Real-name reservations are available through the “绵山风景区” or “智游山西” WeChat account. The entry method for Chinese visitors uses a Chinese resident ID; international visitors should check which identification document is accepted when booking. Ordinary tickets are for one day and one entry; check the day’s admission, transport, and opening arrangements before travelling.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Shuitao Ravine and Qixian Valley
Shuitao Ravine is a long gorge, traditionally described as ten li (roughly 5 km), with streams, waterfalls, and dense woodland. In summer, its perceived temperature is about 10°C lower than outside the mountain. Qixian Valley has iron-chain stairs and cliffside plank paths that require climbing with both hands and feet, so visitors who fear heights, older visitors, and children should choose carefully.
Shuitao Ravine is the better choice for stream-and-gorge scenery, while Qixian Valley is for visitors comfortable with exposed climbing. Mountain paths can become slippery, and strong winds can affect high sections; follow the day’s access arrangements and do not stop for photos on the iron-chain paths or exposed edges.
Yunfeng Temple, Zhengguo Temple, and Daluo Palace
Yunfeng Temple sits inside the large Baofu Rock cave, with a zigzag suspended path in front. Zhengguo Temple contains twelve religious figures known as baogu zhenshen, dating from the Tang period onward. Keep quiet in the religious spaces, do not touch the relics, and use only photography permitted on site.
Daluo Palace is a 13-level cliffside Taoist complex with mountain views from higher points. For photos, look outward from the Baofu Rock cave, use a low angle at Daluo Palace, and try the streams and waterfalls at Shuitao Ravine. At high points, check your footing and the position of the railings before taking out your camera.
For a separate underground-fortress and village route in Jiexiu, see Zhangbi Ancient Fortress.
Build your day
Four- to five-hour shorter route
This route skips the farthest Shuitao Ravine and goes directly by sightseeing bus to Qixian Valley. After Qixian Valley, take the bus to Zhengguo Temple, use the elevator to gain height, then walk via Yunfeng Temple. Finish at Daluo Palace, take the bus back, and return to the visitor centre. Allow about 4–5 hours.
This route focuses on Qixian Valley, Zhengguo Temple, Yunfeng Temple, and Daluo Palace. The elevator reduces one steep section after Zhengguo Temple. The Zhengguo Temple elevator costs about CNY 15 and the Tianqiao elevator about CNY 5; these are separate on-site services, so check the charge and operating status before riding.
Eight- to ten-hour fuller route
The fuller route works from the inside out. First take the sightseeing bus to the terminus at Shuitao Ravine, walk for about 2–3 hours, and turn back at Erlong Xizhu if your group has average fitness. Then take the bus to Qixian Valley for its iron-chain paths, continue to Zhengguo Temple and use the elevator, and walk by plank paths to Yunfeng Temple.
Continue by bus to Daluo Palace. After visiting it, add front-mountain stops such as Longtou Temple only if time and energy allow, then take the bus back to the visitor centre. The station sequence and last return bus must fit the closing time; a single-day ticket does not carry an unfinished route into the next day.
Get there
From Jiexiu East Station
A taxi from Jiexiu East Station to the visitor centre costs about CNY 30–50 and takes roughly 30–40 minutes. Another option is to travel to Jiexiu Railway Station and transfer to the Mian Mountain shuttle bus, which costs CNY 5 per person and takes about 30 minutes.
Ride-hailing cars may be limited at the gate and exit. Arrange a return car in advance or use a regular taxi; after closing time, do not rely on an unknown vehicle whose price and credentials have not been checked.
Driving and parking
Navigate to “Mian Mountain Scenic Area Visitor Center.” The official car park costs about CNY 10–20 per visit; nearby farmhouses may charge about CNY 10, but check the location and fee on site. After parking, continue to the main gate to board the sightseeing bus; a private car cannot replace the internal scenic transport.
Know before you go
Fitness, weather, and supplies
Qixian Valley’s iron-chain paths, the Yunfeng Temple plank paths, and the mountain roads all require climbing. Surfaces can be slippery after rain, and high sections can be windy. Wear shoes with good grip and carry water plus high-energy snacks such as chocolate or beef jerky; food outlets are limited and relatively expensive.
Arriving before the peak-season opening time of about 07:30 can reduce queues for buses and popular paths and may offer morning mist. If the weather is unsuitable for high sections, use a shorter cultural route and stay away from closed or slippery areas.
Tickets, elevators, and Jiexiu food
Ordinary admission is for one day and one entry. If you plan to visit over two days, do not assume the previous day’s ticket remains valid; ask separately about the re-entry policy for guests staying inside the scenic area. The Zhengguo Temple and Tianqiao elevators cost about CNY 15 and CNY 5, and admission, internal transport, and elevators are separate charges.
After the visit, return to Jiexiu for food. Lao Jiexiu Restaurant serves dishes such as vinegar-braised beef and Shanxi noodles; Zuima Zhanpianze Daquan serves zhanpianze and Bawang eggplant; Hongbinlou Family Banquet offers stir-fried chicken and dumplings. Zhangbi Ancient Fortress and other nearby attractions require separate travel time and tickets, so check their transport and closing times before combining them with Mian Mountain.