"We weave together Great Wall culture, the legendary tales of the Yang family clan and frontier folk customs, offering a wonderful journey through the history of the border passes of northern Shanxi," says Hou Tianjia, an office worker from the scenic area.

Visitors can hike along the Yanmen Pass section of the Great Wall and climb the weathered ancient beacon towers, where soldiers once lit smoke signals to send urgent military messages across the mountains.

About one and a half hour's drive away is the ancient city of Xinzhou, where entrance tickets are free of charge and local residents still carry on their daily lives.

Visitors can explore ancient architecture like Xiurong Academy and various temples, and join intangible cultural heritage workshops such as those about paper-cutting. As night falls, the traditional datiehua (molten iron fireworks) show lights up the sky, and a street with bars pulses with energy — a perfect blend of traditional and modern nightlife.

"Life moves at a slow pace here. You can stay a night, soak in hot springs, and taste various local snacks to ease fatigue and wrap up your journey in a relaxed way," says Li Qiyu, a marketing office worker from the ancient city scenic area.

She adds that local food is fairly priced, accommodation offers great value for money, and it's not overly commercialized.

Nestled in Ningwu county, Luya Mountain scenic area stands out as a perfect summer escape, boasting a pleasant average summer temperature below 20 C.