Exploring Ancient Architecture and Outdoor Adventures in Shanxi Without Crowds

🐒 Finally had time to unleash my inner wild monkey! Over the past few days, my friends and I went on a self-driving trip to Shanxi to explore ancient architecture and enjoy a day of outdoor fun. We avoided the crowded tourist spots and discovered some amazing places—Shanxi is truly incredible! 🌟 Itinerary: Day 1-2: Beijing to Shuozhou (Chongfu Temple, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Jingtu Temple) - Day 3: Xinzhou, Wuzhai County (Heyeping) - Day 4: Xinzhou, Wutai County (Foguang Temple) - Back to Beijing 1️⃣ On the first day, we departed late and arrived in Shuozhou just in time to check into the hotel and have dinner. We stayed at Jin Qiao Zhishang near Wanda Plaza, which was decent in terms of both environment and price. Breakfast was a bit disappointing as we went late and there wasn’t much left. For dinner, we ate at Pinpin Xiansheng Lao Datong Cuisine Restaurant nearby—their fried pork was delicious. 2️⃣ On the second morning, we visited Chongfu Temple. The Amitabha Hall is a wooden structure from the Jin Dynasty, and the Buddha statues, painted sculptures, and murals inside are truly worth seeing. ☀️ For lunch, we tried lamb offal at Shuangxi Zage, a local shop that specializes in this dish. While it wasn’t my favorite, it definitely had an authentic local flavor. 🌙 In the afternoon, we headed to Yingxian, which was the busiest spot on our itinerary. The area is small and lacks sufficient facilities, making traffic quite chaotic during the May Day holiday. However, the Wooden Pagoda is absolutely worth visiting. Jingtu Temple is just a ten-minute walk from the pagoda, and its unique caisson ceiling is also a must-see. Afterward, we drove to Xinzhou. 3️⃣ The third day was dedicated to outdoor activities. We stayed at Ningwu Xuyang Conference Center, which I highly recommend—it’s incredibly affordable considering the quality of the environment. 🍚 We spent the day at Heyeping, but first drove to Wuzhai County for lunch, which I don’t recommend. It’s better to eat in Xinzhou before heading out. 🪷 Heyeping is a vast alpine meadow at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, featuring two boardwalks and a viewing platform. It was still cold and not yet green during May Day, but some people brought kites to play with. The road up the mountain offers stunning views, so bringing snacks for a mid-journey picnic is a great idea. We took a short walk along the boardwalk at Heyeping and then descended to relax under a big tree. The scenery here is unlike the typical image of Shanxi—forests, mountains, meadows, ice waterfalls, and even peach blossoms and cows during May Day. The views are incredibly soothing. It’s cold on the mountain, so I recommend wearing a lightweight down jacket. 4️⃣ In the evening, we stayed in Wutai County and had an amazing barbecue at Erge Barbecue—everything on the menu is delicious, so just order away! On the last day, we slept in, had lunch, and then headed to Foguang Temple. This site offers scheduled free guided tours, so try to join one for a more enriching experience. The East Main Hall of Foguang Temple is a Tang Dynasty structure, and I highly recommend watching the "Millennium Temple: Foguang" episode from Tsinghua University's Humanities Lecture Series to learn more—it’s fascinating!