Major city · China
Linfen临汾
Give Linfen one full day for the Drum Tower, Yao Temple and Tiefo Temple, or two if Hukou Waterfall is the reason you came.
Linfen is an industrial city in the Fen River valley of southern Shanxi, with a small cluster of historic sites in the centre and the Yellow River's Hukou Waterfall about 150 km west. Most travellers pass through by high-speed rail between Taiyuan and Xi'an; the city earns a stop for its drum tower, Yao Temple and the glazed pagoda at Guangsheng Temple, not for its urban fabric.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and rain), Jan–Feb (cold and dry)
- Airport
- LFQ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Linfen110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Linfen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyLinfen is a normal Chinese industrial city and is safe for tourists by day and evening.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLFQ Linfen Yaodu Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) from the centre in Qiaoli Town, Yaodu District; shuttle bus and taxi to town (check current routes).).LFQ Linfen Yaodu Airport (About 9.3 mi (15 km) from the centre in Qiaoli Town, Yaodu District; shuttle bus and taxi to town (check current routes).).
- Getting aroundCity buses run roughly 06:30–20:30 on a flat ¥1–3 (≈ under US$1) fare and take UnionPay cards or WeChat Pay/Alipay QR codes…City buses run roughly 6:30 AM–8:30 PM on a flat ¥1–3 (≈ under US$1) fare and take UnionPay cards or WeChat Pay/Alipay QR codes…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealBowl of Shanxi noodles¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerbottle in a restaurant / can at a convenience store¥8–15 (≈ US$2–3)¥4–8 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi, 3.1 mi (5 km)Night rate after 22:00.Night rate after 10:00 PM.¥12–18 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥1–3 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketYao Temple entry¥40 (≈ US$6)
- Budget bedHostel or budget-chain bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥320 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥550 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥900 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LFQ Linfen Yaodu Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) from the centre in Qiaoli Town, Yaodu District; shuttle bus and taxi to town (check current routes).)LFQ Linfen Yaodu Airport (About 9.3 mi (15 km) from the centre in Qiaoli Town, Yaodu District; shuttle bus and taxi to town (check current routes).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Linfen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
3 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
4 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
4 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses run roughly 06:30–20:30 on a flat ¥1–3 fare and take UnionPay cards or WeChat Pay/Alipay QR codes; transfer discounts need a local bus card, which short-term visitors cannot get. Taxis start at ¥6 for the first 2 km by day and ¥7 at night (22:00–05:00), then ¥1.3/km day and ¥1.6/km night; Didi works. The double-decker sightseeing routes 601/602 pass the Drum Tower and the old-city park.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hukou Waterfall
goDoor to door: 2–3 h each way
Car or tour van west via the G5 expressway and local roads to Hukou Town, Jixian County
Scenic area 08:00–17:00; spring and autumn give the clearest flow. A full day from Linfen.Scenic area 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; spring and autumn give the clearest flow. A full day from Linfen.
Guangsheng Temple and Feihong Pagoda
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Bus or car to Hongdong, then local transport to the foot of Huoshan Mountain
13-storey glazed pagoda, 47 m tall; upper and lower temple. Pair with the Hongdong sites.
Hongdong Great Pagoda Tree ancestor garden
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 301 toward Hongdong, then local taxi
Peak season 07:30–18:30, off season 09:00–17:00; ¥80 peak / ¥60 off season (check).Peak season 7:30 AM–6:30 PM, off season 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; ¥80 peak / ¥60 off season (check).
Yunqiu Mountain
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Car via the G5 and Dayun expressways to the Jishan exit, then S233
Ice caves, glass bridge and village stays; too far for a comfortable return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Gulou / city centre (Yaodu District)
Walk to the Drum Tower, Tiefo Temple and the old-city park; most mid-range hotels sit here.
Linfen West Railway Station area
Convenient for an early high-speed departure; 10–20 min by taxi to the centre, few sights on foot.
Yao Temple area
Quieter, near the temple and evening food streets; buses 3, 11, 22, 30, 201, 239, 802 stop at Yao Temple Park.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥350–650 (≈ US$50–95) excl. bed
- High
- ¥650 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥320 | CN¥640 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥500 | CN¥2,000 |
| Airport shuttle or taxi from LFQ, one way2 × CN¥50 · check | CN¥100 |
| Hukou Waterfall day tour or shared car2 × CN¥300 · check | CN¥600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥120 | CN¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥358 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥985 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,938≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance rail and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bowl of Shanxi noodles | ¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Coffee | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Beer: bottle in a restaurant / can at a convenience store | ¥8–15 (≈ US$2–3) / ¥4–8 (≈ US$1–2) |
| City bus ride | ¥1–3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi, 5 kmNight rate after 22:00.Night rate after 10:00 PM. | ¥12–18 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Yao Temple entry | ¥40 (≈ US$6) |
| Qianfo Temple entry | ¥35 (≈ US$5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Air quality in the Fen valley can be poor on still winter days; check the daily index if you have breathing issues.
- Hukou Waterfall is 150 km (93 mi) west and takes 2–3 h each way by road: it is a full day, not a half-day add-on.Hukou Waterfall is 93 mi (150 km) west and takes 2–3 h each way by road: it is a full day, not a half-day add-on.
- Some temples close on non-holiday Mondays (Tiefo Temple) or have no posted hours: confirm before you travel out.
- Few staff speak English; have your hotel name and address written in Chinese for taxis.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Linfen临汾
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请带我去这个地址Please take me to this address
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No embassies in Linfen; most countries keep embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu. US citizens: American Citizen Services in Beijing (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, first 2 km: ¥6 (≈ under US$1) day / ¥7 (≈ under US$1) night (22:00–05:00), then ¥1.3–1.6 (≈ under US$1)/km¥6 (≈ under US$1) day / ¥7 (≈ under US$1) night (10:00 PM–5:00 AM), then ¥1.3–1.6 (≈ under US$1)/km
- City bus: ¥1–3 (≈ under US$1) flat, WeChat Pay or Alipay QR accepted
- Linfen West → Taiyuan by high-speed rail: about 1.5 h (check timetable and fare)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
- 请带我去这个地址 — Please take me to this address (qǐng dài wǒ qù zhège dìzhǐ)
Show the Chinese address to the driver; few taxi drivers read English.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Linfen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and rain), Jan–Feb (cold and dry) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LFQ: shuttle and taxi options field-checked, late-arrival fallback.
- Walking cluster for the centre: Drum Tower, Tiefo Temple, old-city park, Fenhe riverside.
- Place pages with verified hours and ticket prices for Yao Temple, Guangsheng Temple, Hukou Waterfall and the museum.
- Hukou Waterfall day-trip fixture with road time, gate cutoff and seasonal flow notes.
Sources
- officialLinfen municipal government
- officialLinfen Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Linfen, revision 5263445 (CC BY-SA 4.0)