Shanxi In-Depth Travel Guide

Shanxi is a province with a long history and rich cultural heritage, as well as beautiful natural scenery. Here is a travel guide for Shanxi: Classic 7-Day Tour Route[__LINK_ICON] - Day 1: Arrive in Datong in the morning and visit the Yungang Grottoes, one of China's three major grottoes. It is recommended to spend 3-4 hours appreciating the stone carving art. In the afternoon, visit Datong Ancient City, focusing on Huayan Temple and Shan Hua Temple to experience Liao and Jin dynasty Buddhist art. - Day 2: In the morning, head to Hunyuan County to climb the Hanging Temple, experiencing the thrill of a wooden temple embedded in a cliff. In the afternoon, visit Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the tallest and oldest wooden pagoda in the world, standing for over a thousand years without a single nail or rivet, relying solely on mortise and tenon joints. - Day 3: Spend the whole day touring Mount Wutai, centered around Taihuai Town, visiting core temples such as Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, and Pusa Ding to feel the strong Buddhist cultural atmosphere. - Day 4: In the morning, go to Taiyuan and visit Jin Temple, a complex of ancestral temple gardens of the Jin State. The Zhou Cypress, Song Dynasty sculptures of maidens, and Nanlao Spring are known as the "Three Wonders of Jin Temple." In the afternoon, visit Qiao Family Courtyard to admire the exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings of Shanxi merchants' mansions. - Day 5: In the morning, visit Zhenguo Temple, whose Ten Thousand Buddha Hall is a wooden structure from the Five Dynasties period. In the afternoon, tour Pingyao Ancient City, visiting sites such as Rishengchang Exchange Shop and Pingyao County Government Office to experience the commercial prosperity of the Ming and Qing dynasties. - Day 6: In the morning, visit Shuanglin Temple to appreciate the Ming Dynasty polychrome sculptures, known as the "Treasure House of Painted Sculptures." In the afternoon, go to the Great Pagoda Tree in Hongtong, a sacred place for overseas Chinese to trace their roots and pay respects to ancestors. - Day 7: Head to Jixian County in Linfen City to visit Hukou Waterfall and feel the majestic power of the Yellow River rushing down. Food Recommendations - Dao Xiao Mian (Knife-Cut Noodles): The king of Shanxi noodles, chewy and smooth, served with rich savory sauce. - Guo You Rou (Fried Pork in Oil): A signature dish of Shanxi merchants, golden in color, salty and delicious.  - Pingyao Beef: Tender and flavorful, salty and fragrant without being dry, a specialty of Pingyao Ancient City. - Wan Tuo: Cold sliced noodles mixed with chili oil, aged vinegar, and garlic sauce, cool, sour, and spicy. Stir-fried Wan Tuo with twisted fried dough sticks is even more enjoyable. Accommodation Suggestions - Datong: If your budget is under 300 RMB, prioritize chain hotels around the ancient city. For an immersive experience exploring the ancient city, stay inside the city or in the south. For visiting Yungang Grottoes, stay along Weidu Avenue for convenient transportation. - Mount Wutai: It is recommended to stay in Taihuai Town, the center of the Mount Wutai scenic area, with many hotels and inns nearby, making it convenient to visit the temples. - Pingyao Ancient City: You can choose to stay in characteristic inns inside the ancient city to experience the architectural style and atmosphere of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and enjoy the ancient city night view. Notes[__LINK_ICON] - Shanxi has a dry climate with a large temperature difference between day and night. Regardless of the season, it is recommended to bring a jacket. - At religious sites such as Mount Wutai, please follow the rules, keep quiet, and pay attention to indoor no-photography signs. - Some attractions, such as the Hanging Temple, may have visitor limits during peak seasons, and advance reservation for tickets is required.