Things to do in Dai County

Admire the ancient plank road, listen to the stories of the fortified city wall—the meaning of travel lies in seeing different scenery and understanding different customs. Compared to other ancient buildings in Shanxi, Yanmen Pass may not be as visually striking, but its rich historical significance makes it worthwhile to experience it firsthand.

边靖楼位于山西忻州市代县县城十字街心，居整个古代州城的最高点，是历史上长城险隘雁门关的重要依托和支撑点。是守望瞭敌、指挥作战，具有重要军事价值的建筑，有万里长城第一楼之美誉。楼身可以看到清雍正十一年知州杨弘题写的亚洲第一巨匾“威镇三观”和汤豫题的“声闻四达”匾额。

The Ashoka Pagoda (a national cultural relic) is located in the backyard of the Daixian County government building in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, and is commonly known as the White Pagoda. Originally built in 601 AD (the first year of the Renshou era of the Sui Dynasty), it suffered three major destructions during its more than 600 years of existence, and was rebuilt as a brick pagoda in 1275 AD (the twelfth year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty). It is a conical Tibetan Buddhist pagoda with a rectangular base, the pagoda itself situated in the center of the base. The pagoda itself has a circular base, and the body is a slightly wider, round, dome-shaped structure with an 11-tiered brick spire. This large pagoda, 21.78 meters in diameter and 40 meters high, is harmoniously proportioned, stable and upright, simple and elegant, and features superb brick carving techniques, making it a masterpiece of Yuan Dynasty Lamaist pagodas in China. While most Lamaist pagodas have square bases, this pagoda has a perfectly circular base. The Ashoka Pagoda and the Great White Pagoda of Miaoying Temple in Beijing are examples and models of early Lamaist pagodas still existing in the Central Plains region. Ashoka was a king of ancient India in the 3rd century BC. His dynasty, named after the Mauryan clan, was founded by him. In 270 BC, after murdering his brother and ascending the throne, Ashoka waged war year after year, achieving the first major unification of India by force and establishing a vast dynasty. Ashoka was known for his volatile temper, cruelty, and bloodthirstiness, but he gradually repented, reformed, and joined the Sangha. To demonstrate his piety, Ashoka made Buddhism the state religion and ordered the construction of Buddhist temples throughout the country. Under his influence, Buddhism, founded by Prince Siddhartha Gautama of King Suddhodana, flourished in the Mauryan Empire. To show his reverence for the Three Jewels of Buddhism, Ashoka donated the entire country to Buddhist causes three times, only to redeem it with precious jewels. In the seventeenth year of his reign, he organized the Third Buddhist Council, which facilitated Buddhism's spread beyond India and into the world. It is said that, to promote Buddhism, King Ashoka built 84,000 stupas around the world, including China, to enshrine the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, which were originally divided among eight countries. All these stupas are called "Ashoka Stupas." Travel Guide Transportation: High-speed rail to Yanmenguan Station (military seats have charging stations). A shuttle bus from the station directly to Daizhou Ancient City (8 yuan one way). During peak season, there is a direct shuttle bus to Yanmenguan (40 yuan round trip); during off-season, buses only run at 8:00 and 12:00, so it is recommended to call the scenic area in advance. A taxi costs 30-60 yuan one way. Stay in a hotel in Daizhou Ancient City. You can book a bus to Yanmenguan at 8:30 am. Ticket Price: Free. Time: 15 minutes. (The same courtyard contains the County Government Office and Mao Zedong's Residence, both free, totaling 20 minutes.) Food and Accommodation: Convenient. It is recommended to stay at the Home Inn Business Hotel, as it has a good location and service. Route: West Gate, Bianjing Tower, Ashoka Pagoda, Confucian Temple (2-5 hours total), Yanmen Pass (3 hours). Nearby attractions: Chongfu Temple, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Jingtu Temple, Huiji Temple.

游完玩雁门关开车到代县找了个名宿住下，恰好就在文庙的旁边，过了六点吃过晚饭没事过去看看以为下班关门了，结果还能进去就进去转了转，还满有历史感的，庙区蛮大的，各个建筑几乎保持原味历史痕迹明显，临晚了没啥人进去看看安静得很，不错。

I passed by Dai County when I was traveling to Xinzhou. I arrived a little late, so I only went to the Confucian Temple. It was quaint and the blue glazed tiles had not faded after more than 600 years. It was very beautiful. The lady who gave the explanation was very professional and patient, which added to my knowledge. Overall it exceeded my expectations.

There is an observation deck on the internal road from the north gate to the south gate of Yanmen Pass, where you can see the panoramic view of Yanmen Pass from the south gate. The through bus from the north gate of the scenic area to Yanmen Pass Station passes by the observation deck when taking the internal road. Such a beautiful scenery can only be seen from the internal road. It's a pity that tourists can't see it. It is recommended that the scenic area study the tourist viewing route. The first picture I found on the Internet, I didn't have time to take a photo on the scenic bus

The Guangwu section of the Ming Great Wall is absolutely worth a visit! It's authentic and far superior to any newly built section. Seeing the Great Wall winding along the mountain ridge amidst the undulating mountains evokes a sense of vastness and grandeur. The 600-year-old Great Wall and the modern wind turbines echo each other, reminding us that our efforts for a better life have never ceased. Standing atop the watchtower, one can imagine the clash of swords and the mournful sounds of war drums, and the red flags fluttering in the west wind – today we hold the long spear in our hands, when will we bind the dragon? A visit here can be short or long. It takes about half an hour to walk from the parking lot to the Moon Gate. If time permits, you can continue walking to see several well-preserved watchtowers. Be sure to wear sunscreen as the UV radiation is strong.

Tianxian Gate is the south gate of Yanmen Pass. It is tall and majestic. There is a tower on the gate called Yanlou. Outside the gate, a mountain road winds down the mountain and leads to the heart of the Central Plains. There are also some scenes reflecting the ancient business travel on the mountain road. This was once the only passage to the outside of the pass. Standing outside the gate, you can vaguely see the bustling scene of the past.

The Great Wall is magnificent, winding its way up the mountain peaks. The panoramic views from its heights are breathtaking, imbued with a profound sense of history. It's recommended to enter the park early to avoid crowds, wear non-slip sneakers, and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Some steps are steep; the cable car is an option for the elderly and children. During peak season, queues can be long, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This tower is truly stunning and worth seeing. The large Buddha statue on the first floor is also quite magnificent. The entire park isn't large, but strolling around it creates a wonderful atmosphere, and the exhibits are lively and interesting. It's definitely worth buying.