Linfen (lín fén 临汾) is located in the southern part of Shanxi province (shān xī 山西), having an area of 20,275 square kilometres. Taihang Mountain (tài háng shān 太行山) and Lvliang Mountain (吕梁山) are in the east and west of the city, respectively. Fenhe River (fén hé 汾河), one of the main branches of the Yellow River (huáng hé 黄河), flows through the city centre from north to south.The city is the political, economic, and cultural center in Linfen Area. As a city established thousands of years ago, Linfen is famous for having many historical sites and attracts visitors from all over the world. Although it is one of the most polluted cities in China, the local government makes effort to improve its environment. Plenty of trees are planted on the street, and the flavor of flowers and fruits can be smelled anywhere during the summer.

History
Linfen, known as Pingyang (píng yáng 平阳) in the ancient time, is a cultural city that has a long history. According to the records, Linfen is the captical city of Yao (yáo 尧), the first emperor in Chinese history. It was also the capital of Jin Kingdom (jìn guó 晋国) in the Warring States Period (zhàn guó shí qī 战国时期) (476BC-221BC). In Qin Dynasty (qín dài 秦代) (221BC-206BC), it belonged to the Hedong Shire (hé dōng jùn 河东郡), which was one of the forty-eighty shires of the nation. Therefore, Linfen is regarded as one of the earliest birthplaces of Chinese culture.

Climate
Lingfen has a temperate continental monsoon climate, as it lies in the semi-arid and semi-humid region. The annual average temperate is between 8.6 to 12.6 degree.

Top Attractions
The Hukou Waterfall (hú kǒu pù bù 壶口瀑布)
The Hukou Waterfall is the only one magnificent yellow waterfall in the world, and the second biggest waterfall in China after Hguangguoshu Waterfall (huáng guǒ shù pù bù 黄果树瀑布). Yellow River flows through mountains and falls from Hukou to a 30-metre-wide and 50-metre deep valley. The huge sounds of the water can be heard several miles away. The colour of water smoke changes from yellow to grey, and turns to blue finally. In Chinese Hu means kettle, the waterfall took this name because the place looks like a boiling kettle.

The scenery of Hukou Waterfall changes in different seasons. The best time to see the waterfall is in spring and autumn. During this period, “rainbow without rain” often appears on the above of the waterfall. Moreover, in spring, the peach blossoms are in full bloom, and the ice in the banks of Yellow River start to melt. In winter, Hukou Waterfall presents another view. The surface of the waterfall ices up and looks like an icy bridge, so visitors can walk in the waterfall.

Location: Hukou Waterfall is in Ji county (吉县), 165 kilometres away from the west of Linfen city.
Admission Fee
Off Season: CNY 46    Busy Season: CNY 91
Opening Time: 8:00 to 18:00
Transportation:
1. You can get there by regular buses from Linfen, or Taiyuan to Ji county every day. There is a highway from Linfen to Ji county.
2. Driving from Linfen to Hukou Waterfall is about 3 hours.
3. You can get there from Yichuan county (yí chuān xiàn 宜川县), Shaanxi province (shǎn xī shěng 陕西省). It is 50 kilometers from Yichuan to Hukou.

Tips:
1. The recommended time for visiting is one day.
2. The volume of water in Hukou Waterfall reaches its highest in October. However, at this time the temperature is quite low. So if you choose this time to visit, you’d better prepare some thick clothes.

Hongtong Grand Pagoda Tree (hóng tóng dà huái shù 洪桐大槐树)

It is said that Hongtong Grand Pagoda Tree was planted in Han Dynasty (hàn dài 汉代) (206 BC-220AD), but it was destroyed after a disaster. The present Grand Pagoda Tree grew from the root of the previous one. The main branch of the tree is nearly 15 meters high with luxuriant leaves. In addition, a new pavilion was built beside the tree. Five words are carved on the stele in the centre of the pavilion: Ancient Grand Pagoda Tree.

Hongtong Grand Pagoda Tree was connected with the immigration policy in ancient China. In Yuan Dynasty (yuán dài 元代) (1206-1368), because of wars, the population in Shandong province (shān dōng shěng 山东省), Henan province (hé nán shěng 河南省), and Hebei province (hé běi shěng 河北省) declined sharply. However, located in the centre of China, Hongtong (hóng tóng 洪桐) in Shanxi province avoided the wars. In Ming Dynasty (míng dài 明代) (1368-1644), the government decided to dispatch people lived in Hongtong to the surrounding places. According to historical records, governors were sent to Guangji Temple (guǎng jì sì 广济寺) to manage the immigration affairs from 1368. The immigrants picked up the leaves of the Grand Pagoda Tree for homesickness. Gradually, the Grand Pagoda Tree becomes a sacred land for root seeking and ancestor worshipping.

Location: The Grand Pagoda Tree Park is two kilometres away from the northwestern part of Hongtong county town.
Admission Fee: CNY 23
Opening Time: 8:00 to 18:00
Transportation: Visitors can take a bus from Linfen city to Hongtong county.
Tips: The recommended time for visiting is three hours.

Yao Temple (yáo miào 尧庙)
As the capital city in Yao period, people built Yao Temple to praise the achievements of Yao in the Jin Dynasty (jìn dài 晋代) (265AD-420AD). It was enlarged in the following dynasties, including Tang (táng 唐), Yuan (yuán 元), Ming (míng 明) and Qing (qīng 清). Now, the temple consists of Wufeng Building (wǔ fèng lóu 五凤楼), Guangyun Hall (guǎng yùn diàn 广运殿), and bedrooms. The 27-metre-high Guangyun Hall is the main place for respecting Emperor Yao. There are 42 stone pillars caved with dragons in the corridors of the hall. In addition, stories of Yao were written in the stone steles in the temple.

Location: 4 kilometres south of Linfen city
Admission Fee: CNY 35
Opening Time: Spring&Summer 6:30 to 20:00   Autumn&Winter 7:30 to 18:00
Transportation: Take the bus No.3, No.11 No.105, No.106 and No.107

Guangsheng Temple (guǎng shèng sì 广胜寺)
Guangsheng Temple was first established in Han Dynasty (hàn dài 汉代) (206 BC-220AD) and was rebuilt in Ming Dynasty (míng dài 明代) (1368-1644). The temple was divided into upper Guangsheng Temple, in the top of Huo Mountain (huò shān 霍山); and lower Guangsheng Temple, at the foot of Huo Mountain. Feihong Tower (fēi hóng tǎ 飞虹塔) is named as China’s number one coloured glaze tower. Located in upper Guangsheng Temple, it is the largest coloured glaze tower existed so far. Feihong Tower is 37 meters high and has 13 floors. The surface of the tower was covered by three-colour glaze. Feihong means flying rainbow in Chinese. The tower reflects colour light like a rainbow under the sunlight.

Dafo Hall (dà fó diàn 大佛殿) and Water God Hall (shuǐ shén miào 水神庙) are the main buildings in lower Guangsheng Temple. In the walls of Water God hall, there are colourful frescos painted in Yuan Dynasty (yuán dài 元代) (1206-1368). The contents of the contents of the frescos include fables, common street scenery and village life, which reflected the customs and society in Yuan Dynasty.

Location: It suits in Huo Mounain, 17 miles of Hongtong county.
Admission Fee: CNY 42
Opening Time: 8:00 to 18:00
Transportation: You can take a bus from Linfen city to Hongtong County town.
Tips: The recommended time for visiting is three hours.

Specialities
Houma Butterfly Cup (hóu mǎ hú dié bēi 侯马蝴蝶杯)
This is an antique and grace speciality of Linfen. A picture of two dragons playing a ball is carved in the outside skin of the cup. In the cup, there are red and blue flowers. When the cup is filled with liquor, a colourful butterfly will be seen inside the cup.

Yuping Liquor (yù píng jiǔ 玉屏酒)
It looks crystal and tastes sweet. It is produced by liquor together with 15 different kinds of herbs and medical materials. Therefore, it also has the function to improve health.

Eel (mán yú 鳗鱼)
Linfen’s eel tastes fresh and tender. It belongs to the kind of high protein fish. It is also called as ginseng in water and soft gold in fish.

Walnut (gǔ xiàn hé táo 古县核桃)
Walnut in Gu county (gǔ xiàn 古县) has a history of over 2,000 years. The thin skin and thick meat make walnut become one of the main branches of Linfen’s agriculture.