In the golden autumn of October, I explored the millennium-old autumn scenery all over Shanxi! 4 days and 3 nights travel guide

October in Shanxi is like a painting soaked in the passage of time—Wutai Mountain’s sea of clouds surges, the Hanging Temple is bathed in golden light, red lanterns hang high in Pingyao Ancient City, and red leaves cover the blue stone steps of Wang Family Courtyard. Let me take you on a slow walk through northern Shanxi to see the most intense autumn in the north. 📍Day 1: Arrive in Taiyuan → Pingyao Ancient City (stay in Pingyao) Take the high-speed train or bullet train to Taiyuan (round trip about 800 RMB, as low as 600 RMB depending on departure city), then transfer to a direct bus to [Pingyao Ancient City] (1.5 hours, 25 RMB). Check into a folk courtyard near Ming and Qing Street (600 RMB for three nights), and enjoy a night tour of the ancient city—the city tower’s flowing lights, the old shadows of the escort agency, and a warm bowl of rice noodles at the alley entrance, full of lively local atmosphere. 📍Day 2: Wang Family Courtyard + Hukou Waterfall Day Tour (stay in Pingyao) Early morning carpool (150 RMB per person) to visit the “Folk Palace” [Wang Family Courtyard] (55 RMB entrance fee), where you can glimpse the century-long rise and fall of Shanxi merchants among the carved beams and painted rafters. In the afternoon, drive to Jixian County to check in at [Hukou Waterfall] (90 RMB entrance fee, 20 RMB shuttle bus), where the Yellow River roars like thunder, flanked by red leaves reflecting on the muddy waves—truly breathtaking! Return to Pingyao in the evening. 📍Day 3: Datong · Hanging Temple + Mount Heng (stay in Datong) Take an early high-speed train to Datong (about 2 hours, 100 RMB), then taxi or carpool to climb [Mount Heng], with a distant view of the millennium wonder [Hanging Temple] (15 RMB entrance fee, 100 RMB climbing fee)—the entire temple hangs on a cliff, bathed in autumn sunlight, like a fairy palace. In the evening, enter Datong city and stay at a chain hotel (300 RMB/night). Must-try dishes include knife-cut noodles, lamb offal noodles, and Fengling Pavilion’s Hundred-Flower Shaomai! 📍Day 4: Yungang Grottoes + Return In the morning, visit the [Yungang Grottoes] (120 RMB entrance fee, 15 RMB electric cart), stand quietly before the Great Buddha of Cave 20, and feel the millennium solemnity of Northern Wei carvings. In the afternoon, stroll around Huayan Temple or Chunyang Palace, buy some daylilies and millet as souvenirs, then take the high-speed train back. 💰Budget Details (per person): - Transportation (round trip + local): about 1200 RMB - Accommodation (three nights): 600 RMB - Entrance fees + shuttle buses: about 400 RMB - Food + snacks: 600 RMB (authentic Shanxi cuisine is very affordable) ✅Total: around 2800 RMB, with leftover budget for local specialties to take home 🍁Late Autumn Tips: 📌 Shanxi has a huge temperature difference between morning and night, so a windbreaker + sweater are essential; 📌 The Hanging Temple limits visitors, so it’s best to arrive early; 📌 Pingyao and Datong have many delicious foods—don’t miss Hunyuan cold noodles and sugar-dried stove! This autumn, come to Shanxi— not just to see the scenery, but to walk into the breath of history.