The living museum that is Shanxi province. Endowed with enough ancient landmarks to see Indiana Jones calling for assistance, this northern province is fused by generations of change: from a rich vein of Silk Road Buddhist heritage, Ming and Qing dynasties coming-and-goings, and Neolithic settlement, there is plenty to keep you busy. Throw is a good handful of natural magnificence and beauty, and it is easy to see why visitors to this region end up spending longer than planned here.
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the provincial capital of Shanxi. As an introduction to the abundance of historical landmarks to be found here, this is a city with over 2,500 years of recorded history. The Jinci Temple Complex is a must-see when visiting Taiyuan: explore thousand-year-old buildings and the multitude of colourful clay statues which adorn the complex.
Datong
This famous historical city in the northern part of Shanxi is a great encapsulation of the province. The area is as rich in history as it is in minerals: the Yungang Grottoes is most certainly not to be missed, and The Hanging Temple will leave you gawking at ancient engineering skills. It is also well worth exploring the southern-set Hengshan Mountains. These mountains are amongst the most famous in China, and are peppered with many Taoist temples and monasteries.
Pingyao
Located in the middle of Shanxi Province, the ancient city is perhaps the biggest drawcard of the province. Pingyao is one of China’s best-preserved ancient cities, with a stunningly immaculate display of Ming and Qing era buildings on showcase. It is easy to see how the entire ancient city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the ancient city walls and array of government offices, monasteries, temples, banks and armed escort depots. The slightly further Mianshan Scenic Area is also a great area to explore caves, cliffs and stone formations.
Linfen
Set along the Yellow River in south western Shanxi, this ancient city is renowned for it’s long history and culture. The city is rich in cultural relics and historical sites. The Hongdong Dahuaishu Ancestor Memorial Garden is our pick of the bunch. The Hukou Waterfall located outside of the city is a spectacular display of nature’s might.
Jincheng
Home to a collection of well-preserved ancient wooden structures dating back to before the Song and Jin Dynasties, the Huangchengxiang Mansion will leave you impressed.
Xinzhou
Located in the far north of the province, Xinzhou is famed for it’s beautiful natural scenery and numerous historical attractions. The sacred Buddhist site Mount Wutai is well-worth a visit, and Yanmen Pass is a great place to have the Great Wall all to yourself.
Changzhi
Surrounded by magnificent mountains and rivers, Changzhi is blessed with some remarkable scenic spots. The Taihang Grand Canyon and Tianji Mountain Scenic Area will serve well as your nature-fix.
