Legends of the Great Wall meet mountain mists in Shanxi

After hiking along its winding trails, a breathtaking panoramic view unfolds from the mountaintop, with rolling peaks shrouded in swirling mist and clouds.

A must-visit attraction in the scenic area is the Permanent Ice Cave, a rare natural wonder formed around 3 million years ago. Maintaining a year-round subzero average temperature, the cave keeps its icy interior intact even during scorching summers. Visitors are advised to wear warm outfits and anti-slip shoes for a comfortable and safe tour.

Under artificial lighting, the cave walls are adorned with countless translucent icicles, ice waterfalls and ice curtains of varying sizes, shaping a dreamlike underground fairyland of ice and snow.

Nearby, three ancient villages, known as the Hanging Villages, are perched on cliffs high on Guancen Mountain. Some houses are embedded in the rock face, while others are supported by wooden pillars over the abyss, looking like castles in the air from a distance.

However, Luya Mountain offers more than just a summer retreat — it's a comprehensive experience of coolness, ecology and wellness. Beyond the forests that serve as natural oxygen bars, visitors can enjoy the Malun Alpine Grassland, an ancient cliff plank road first built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and clusters of alpine lakes.

About 160 kilometers away is the Laoniuwan scenic area of Pianguan county, where tourists can witness the remarkable confluence of the Great Wall and the Yellow River. They can also climb an ancient castle to have a bird's-eye view of the surrounding area, wander through a village of stone houses, and soak up the river's timeless beauty.

Indeed, combining ancient culture, lively old-town charm and cool natural scenery, Xinzhou makes every summer getaway here truly unforgettable.

xulin@chinadaily.com.cn