Live Your Best Lives
Which province has the lowest presence? This is a hot topic online, and Shanxi is often voted highly!
In people's eyes, Shanxi is known for being "rich in coal", "heavily polluted", "loess plateau", and "jealous". Even local people in Shanxi use these stereotypes to make fun of themselves.
But if there is such a province
It has 70% of China's ancient buildings.
It has the only four remaining Tang Dynasty wooden structures in China.
It has the remains of the Great Wall from the Warring States Period to the Ming and Qing Dynasties
It has the longest canyon in the Yellow River Valley.
It has the largest ancient castle complex in northern China.
... ...
This province is Shanxi
Shanxi is like a dusty treasure box. We only see its dirty outer box but ignore its interior.
Shanxi has the most complete architectural genealogy in China. From the Tang Dynasty to the Republic of China, it has a wide range of buildings that have spanned thousands of years. The only remaining Tang Dynasty wooden structures in China are all in Shanxi, namely the East Hall of Wutai Foguang Temple, Wutai Nanchan Temple, Pingshun Dayunyuan, and Ruicheng Guangrenwang Temple.
In addition to these Tang Dynasty relics, Shanxi still has countless fine ancient buildings.
You can see the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, a pure wooden structure constructed without a single nail or mortise and tenon; the high-tech Hanging Temple perched atop a cliff; and the massive ancient castle complex nestled beside the Qin River. Among these ancient structures are Tang Dynasty painted Buddha statues, intricately detailed hanging sculptures and paintings, a variety of glazed structures, and hidden carved beams and painted buildings.
The Loess Plateau is part of Shanxi, but it doesn't represent the country! Here's a little-known fact: Shanxi's grasslands cover an area of 46 million mu (approximately 1.6 million hectares), accounting for 20% of the country's land area. Shanxi isn't just about loess; it's about green grass and forests!
Shanxi has countless famous mountains and rivers. When you come to Shaanxi, you can see the White Pagoda and the Golden Summit of Mount Wutai; you can also walk into the majestic Taihang Mountains to explore the deep canyons and drive on the cliff-hanging roads; watch galloping horses and the remains of the Great Wall on the top of Luya Mountain; walk along the cliff plank roads of Mianshan and reminisce about the past.
Yao, Shun and Yu established their capitals here. The Jin State, the hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period, dominated the world here. The salt and tea roads of Shanxi merchants in the Ming and Qing Dynasties made Shanxi an economic center. The brilliant history has catalyzed a unique art and culture in the land of Shanxi!
Traditional festivals are the highlight here, including the grand "Guan Di Patrols the City" in Yuncheng, the lively "Spring Festival Lantern Festival" in Datong, the stunning "Iron Flower" in Jincheng, and the rare "Yellow River Boat Pulling" in Qikou. Feel the cultural heritage of this land!
"Noodles", "vinegar" and "wine" are synonymous with Shanxi cuisine!
"Noodles" and "vinegar" are the main dishes on the Shanxi people's table. There are currently more than 280 ways to cook noodles in Shanxi, including boiled, steamed, dry, soup, hot and cold. When you come to Shanxi, you must try a bowl of authentic knife-cut noodles!
Shanxi is one of the earliest provinces in China to produce wine. In 1915 Panama World Exposition, Fenjiu won the gold medal!
Taiyuan has always been an awkward existence in Shanxi. In terms of ancient buildings, it is not as good as Datong, in terms of scenery, it is not as good as Changzhi, and in terms of culture, it is not as good as Yuncheng. Therefore, tourists usually use Taiyuan as a transit station to enter Shanxi. But in fact, if you explore it patiently, Taiyuan will definitely surprise you!
Shanxi Museum is one of the first national first-class museums. Its interior is modeled after the structure of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. It has a total of 7 historical exhibitions and 5 art exhibitions. Among them, the three exhibition halls of "The Hegemony of the Jin State", "Hometown of Opera" and "The Splendor of Civil Engineering" are the most recommended!
Tips:
Address: No. 13, North Section of Binhe West Road
Admission: Free
Tour guide: 100 yuan, audio guide 10 yuan
Time: 9:00-17:00, closed on Mondays
The China Coal Museum is the only professional museum in China dedicated to the coal industry. Here you can see dozens of physical specimens of coal, including long flame coal, lean coal, lignite, gas coal, etc.
The biggest feature of the museum is the "Coal Amusement Palace", which uses a large number of physical prototypes or 1:1 scale replicas to reproduce an underground simulated mine. The tour route is several hundred meters long and is said to be the largest in Asia.
Tips:
Address: No. 2 Yingze West Street
Ticket price: 60 yuan
Tutorial: 50 yuan
Time: 8:00-17:00
The Jin Temple is China's oldest existing imperial sacrificial garden, boasting 98 buildings over 300 years old, making it a masterpiece of Shanxi's ancient architecture. The temple boasts three unique features: Zhou Dynasty cypresses, Song Dynasty colored sculptures, and the Nanlao Spring.
The Zhou cypress is a cypress planted during the Western Zhou Dynasty. Located north of the Holy Mother Hall, there were originally two trees, known as the Qinian Ancient Cypress, but only this one remains today. The Zhou cypress is over 3,000 years old.
The 43 colored sculptures in the Holy Mother Hall are the essence of the cultural relics of the Jin Temple and are also treasures of ancient Chinese clay sculpture art. The work was completed 920 years ago in the second year of Yuanyou in the Northern Song Dynasty. Except for the two small statues in the niche that were added in the Ming Dynasty, all other statues are originals from the Song Dynasty.
The last of the three wonders is the Nanlao Spring. The Jinshui River has three sources: Shanli Spring, Yunuma Spring, and Nanlao Spring. Nanlao Spring is the main spring, the source of the Jinshui River, flowing year-round at a constant temperature of 17°C.
Tips:
Address: At the foot of Xuanweng Mountain, 25 kilometers southwest of Taiyuan City
Ticket price: 75 yuan in peak season, 60 yuan in off-season
Tour guide: 50 yuan, audio guide 20 yuan/2 hours
Time: 8:30-17:00
The Tianlongshan Grottoes, originally excavated during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, were excavated during the Eastern Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang dynasties, resulting in 25 caves and over 500 statues. Renowned for their exquisite stone carvings and distinctive regional styles, they hold a significant place in the history of world sculpture. They combine the gentle softness of Indian Buddha statues with the fresh rhythm and linearity of traditional Chinese sculpture.
Tips:
Address: Tianlong Mountain, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province
Admission: Free
Explanation: None
Time: 9:00-17:00
Jinzhong City might be considered a relatively unknown city in Shanxi, but its counties are each more famous than the last! Whether you're in Pingyao for the Jinshang Courtyard, Jiexiu for the scenic Mianshan Mountains, or the ancient Yellow River villages of Lüliang and the Great Wall of Yangquan, Jinzhong is a must-see when visiting Shanxi!
Pingyao Ancient City, with a history of over 2,800 years, has well-preserved the basic features of a county town from the Ming and Qing dynasties, making it the most complete surviving ancient city in China's Han ethnic region.
China's earliest banking system - "piaohao" was born here. In the middle and late Qing Dynasty, Pingyao became China's commercial and financial center. At its peak, there were more than 20 piaohaos, accounting for 1/3 of the total number of piaohaos in the country. Here you can not only learn about the unique culture of piaohaos and escort agencies, but also restore the Chinese city layout!
There are many attractions in Pingyao Ancient City. The following are recommended for visiting: Pingyao Ancient City Wall, Pingyao County Government Office, Pingyao City God Temple, Pingyao Confucian Temple, China Chamber of Commerce Museum, China Banking Museum, Xietongqing, and China Escort Agency Museum.
Tips:
Tickets: Pingyao Ancient City Pass (excluding Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple) 125 yuan
Tutorial: 120 yuan
Time: 8:00-18:00
Shuanglin Temple, where the Tang Dynasty locust trees, Song Dynasty steles, Ming Dynasty bells, and Yuan and Ming Dynasty colored sculptures are all exquisite!
There are 1,560 painted clay sculptures scattered throughout the hall, each of which is a national treasure and very realistic. However, due to insufficient publicity, they are not well-known!
Tips:
Address: Qiaotou Village, 6 kilometers southwest of Pingyao County, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 33 yuan
Tutorial: 50 yuan
Time: 8:00-18:00
It was first built in the Northern Han Dynasty during the Five Dynasties, 1059 years ago. The earliest building of Zhenguo Temple is the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Although it has been rebuilt many times, it still retains the style of the Five Dynasties. It is one of the three existing Five Dynasties buildings in Chinese Buddhist temples.
The colored sculptures are the only works from the Five Dynasties that have been preserved in temples and halls across the country. There are 44 ancient buildings from the Five Dynasties, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, 62 painted clay sculptures, more than 100 murals, and more than 20 steles (square).
Tips:
Address: Haodong Village, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 23 yuan
Tutorial: 50 yuan
Time: 8:00-18:00
Wang Family Courtyard was built by the Jingsheng Wang family during the Ming and Qing dynasties, spanning more than 300 years. It includes five lanes, six forts and one street, with a total area of 250,000 square meters, which is 1.6 times the size of the Forbidden City in Beijing. If you come to Shanxi to see the Jin merchants' courtyards, Wang Family Courtyard is the first choice!
The Wang Family Courtyard is also a natural historical museum, holding a significant position in Chinese architectural history. From the courtyard's layout to the carvings on the beams, every detail holds special significance. The Hongmen Fort complex is a distinctive feature of the Wang Family Courtyard. It resembles both a fort and a city, built against the mountainside. The four courtyards are arranged symmetrically from low to high, with a central main road forming a neat "Wang" (Chinese character) shape, also hinting at the dragon.
Tips:
Address: Haodong Village, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 23 yuan
Tutorial: 50 yuan
Time: 8:00-18:00
First built in 1756, the entire courtyard is in the shape of a double "喜" character and is known as "a pearl of northern residential architecture". It is known as "the royal family has the Forbidden City, and the residential buildings of the common people are the Qiao family". It became famous both at home and abroad because of a TV series "Qiao Family Compound".
Tips:
Address: Qiaojiabao Village, Dongguan Town, Qi County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 115 yuan
Tutorial: 50 yuan
Time: 8:00-18:00
Mianshan is the birthplace of China's Cold Food Festival. The Mianshan Scenic Area spans the boundaries of Jiexiu, Lingshi and Qinyuan cities and counties, with the highest altitude of 2,560 meters.
Taoist activities were practiced in Mianshan as early as the Spring and Autumn Period. It was named Jieshan because of Jie Zitui. Underground limestone fissures and caves are found, as well as many springs. The area is rich in natural resources, with scenic spots such as Longtou Temple, Longji Ridge, Ligu Rock, Fengfang Spring, Daluo Palace, Yidou Spring, and Jiegong Ridge representing the area.
Tips:
Address: Nanhuaizhi Village, Mianshan Town, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 105 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 9:00-21:00
Zhangbi Ancient Castle, located in Zhangbi Village, Longfeng Town, Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province, was built during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. With a construction area of 12,000 square meters, the castle adheres to traditional Chinese astrology and geomancy. With its "open fortress above ground and secret passages underground," Zhangbi Castle houses numerous historical sites, including relics from the Xia and Zhou dynasties, tunnels from the Sui and Tang dynasties, tombs from the Jin dynasty, a Yuan dynasty stage, and Ming and Qing dynasty residences. It is the only castle site in China with both military and civilian uses and a rare, relatively intact, miniature ancient castle still extant in China. Distinct from the "compound culture" of the Shanxi merchants' courtyards and the "ancient city culture" of Pingyao Ancient City, it represents a unique example of Shanxi merchant culture.
Tips:
Address: Zhangbi Village, Longfeng Town, Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 60 yuan
Tutorial: 60 yuan
Time: 8:00-18:00
Qikou is an ancient town nestled in the Luliang Mountains, on the banks of the Yellow River, and an ancient ferry crossing in Lin County, Shanxi Province. In ancient times, the lower reaches of the Yellow River were treacherous, and ships sailing upstream often stopped at Qikou to switch to dry land. Qikou Ancient Town, located 50 kilometers south of Lin County, Shanxi Province, nestled against the Luliang Mountains and bordered by the Yellow River, is a famous historical and cultural town in China. Xiwan Village within the town is one of the first batch of Chinese historical and cultural villages. Xiwan Castle, not far from Qikou, boasts a complex of ancient buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The "cave dwellings" of Lijiashan are a hallmark of Qikou. Layers of cave dwellings rise from the nearly 70-degree slope on either side of the Y-shaped ravine, stretching towards the top of the mountain. Contemporary art master Wu Guanzhong visited this area twice to sketch, making it a renowned photography and sketching location!
Tips:
Address: Qikou National Scenic Area, Lin County, Lüliang City
Admission: Free
Explanation: None
Time: All day
Niangzi Pass was originally built by Princess Pingyang, the elder sister of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. The existing pass was built during the Ming Dynasty. Known as the ninth pass of the Great Wall, Niangzi Pass has been a battleground for military strategists throughout the ages.
Nestled against the backdrop of a mountain and surrounded by water, the ancient castle boasts two gates. Niangzi Pass and Jingxing Pass, facing each other across the mountain, are both strategic military locations. They straddle the Jingxing Pass in the Taihang Mountains and serve as one of the few passages between Shanxi and Hebei. Niangzi Pass played a crucial role in safeguarding both Shanxi and Hebei. In August 1940, Niangzi Pass was also a battlefield during the Eighth Route Army's Hundred Regiments Campaign.
Tips:
Address: Mianshan, Pingding County, Yangquan City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 27 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
Datong held an extremely important position in ancient times. It was a core fortress guarding the frontier. In modern times, it was China's energy core. As for culture and art, it gathers China's most wonderful ancient buildings and grottoes. Datong is an indispensable part of Shanxi tourism!
Huayan Temple is located in the southwest corner of the ancient city of Datong. It was built in the seventh year of Chongxi in the Liao Dynasty and covers an area of 66,000 square meters. It is one of the earliest and best-preserved Liao and Jin Dynasty temple complexes in China. The Main Hall of Huayan Temple is one of the largest existing Buddhist temples from the Liao and Jin Dynasties. The Huayan Pagoda in it is the second largest square wooden pagoda with a pure wooden mortise and tenon structure in the country after the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda!
Tips:
Address: No. 459, Xiasipo Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City
Ticket price: 65 yuan
Tutorial: 100 yuan
Time: 8:30-18:00
Originally built during the Kaiyuan reign of the Tang Dynasty, it was renovated during the Ming Dynasty and renamed Shanhua Temple in 1445. The main buildings of Shanhua Temple are situated along the central axis, facing north and south, and rise gradually in tiers. The front building is the Mountain Gate, and the center houses the Three Saints Hall, both built during the Jin Dynasty.
The Liao Dynasty Main Hall, a relic of the Great Buddha, sits on a high platform at the rear, flanked by the East and West Duo Halls. To the east lies the remains of the Shu Pavilion, and to the west stands the Puxian Pavilion, built in the second year of the Zhenyuan Period of the Jin Dynasty (1154). Shanhua Temple, with its staggered architecture, features distinct primary and secondary elements, and is symmetrical. It is the largest and most complete extant Liao and Jin Dynasty architecture in China. The Great Buddha Hall and the Three Saints Hall from the Liao Dynasty, along with the Heavenly King Hall and the Puxian Pavilion from the Jin Dynasty, are three hipped-roof buildings, four Liao and Jin Dynasty structures, all preserved within the same temple. This unique find in Shanhua Temple in China embodies the majestic spirit of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. Shanhua Temple reflects the evolution and development of architecture from the Tang and Song Dynasties to the Liao and Jin Dynasties, reflecting the significant transition and transformation of ancient Chinese architecture from the Tang to the Song.
Tips:
Address: No. 6, Nansi Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 50 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
Built in 1392, the 25th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, this screen wall in front of the residence of Zhu Guidai, the thirteenth son of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, boasts a history of over 600 years. Standing 8 meters high, 2.02 meters thick, and 45.5 meters long, it is the oldest, largest, and most artistically captivating of the three most famous Nine Dragon Screens still standing in my country.
Tips:
Address: No. 6, Nansi Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 50 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
The Yungang Grottoes, formerly known as Lingyan Temple and Shifo Temple, are considered one of the "Four Great Grottoes of China," along with the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, and the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui. They are the first large-scale grottoes excavated by royal dignitaries after the introduction of Buddhism to China.
Caves 5 and 6 are must-sees. Cave 5 houses the tallest statue in the Yungang Grottoes, a 17.1-meter-tall Sakyamuni Buddha. Cave 6 is arguably the "most magnificent sight in Yungang!" The 20-meter-high space is filled with a variety of carvings!
Caves 9 to 13 are known as the "Wuhua Caves". They are rich in content, magnificent and unique, and are the essence of Yungang art.
Caves 16 to 20 are the famous "Five Caves of Tan Yao", the earliest caves excavated in Yungang, and also the earliest and most magnificent cave group excavated in Yungang.
Tips:
Address: South foot of Wuzhou (Zhou) Mountain and north bank of Wuzhou River, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 50 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
Shanxi boasts a vast network of Great Wall structures dating back to different eras, making it one of the provinces with the most extensive Great Wall. The Shanxi Great Wall stretches across nine cities and more than 40 counties (districts), totaling over 3,500 kilometers. Over 1,500 kilometers of the walls and ruins remain intact.
The existing remains of the Shanxi Great Wall can be divided into the Warring States Great Wall, the Eastern Wei Great Wall, the Northern Qi Great Wall, the Northern Zhou Great Wall, the Sui Great Wall, the Song Great Wall, the Ming Great Wall, and the Qing Great Wall according to the dynasties. Among them, the Great Wall built in the Ming Dynasty is the largest, and it took a total of 154 years to build. As a barrier to protect the capital at that time,
The Ming Great Wall is divided into the Outer Great Wall and the Inner Great Wall. The Outer Great Wall is about 450 kilometers long and the Inner Great Wall is about 400 kilometers long. The Song Dynasty Great Wall, which is rare in the country, is located in Wangjiacha Township, Kelan County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province.
Tips:
Address: Suburban area of Datong
Tickets: None
Explanation: None
Time: All day
The Datong Earth Forest is a unique geological park in northern my country, boasting spectacular geological features. It boasts the Paleolithic ruins of the Nihewan Basin, known as the "Cradle of Ancient Human Culture in the East," and breathtaking grasslands of blue skies and green fields. The Datong Earth Forest, with its unique landforms, is invaluable in geological and geographical terms. Unlike the Yuanmou Earth Forest in Yunnan or the Zhada Earth Forest in Ngari, Tibet, it stands as a true wonder on the Loess Plateau.
Tips:
Address: Duzhuang Village, Yunzhou District, 18 kilometers southeast of Datong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 40 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-19:00
The Datong Volcanic Group is a renowned Quaternary volcanic group in China. There are over 30 known volcanoes in the group. The tallest and most famous volcanoes in the Datong Volcanic Group are Gelao Mountain, Heishan Mountain, Langwo Mountain, Jinshan Mountain, Pailou Mountain, Haotian Mountain, and Mati Mountain. These volcanoes are all truncated cones scattered over an area of nearly one million square meters. All are extinct volcanoes.
Tips:
Address: Yunzhou District and Yanggao County, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Tickets: None
Explanation: None
Time: All day
The Hanging Temple was originally called "Xuankong Pavilion". "Xuan" was taken from the Chinese Taoist doctrine, and "Kong" came from the Buddhist doctrine. It was later renamed "Hanging Temple" because the entire temple seems to be hanging on a cliff.
Built over 1,500 years ago in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, the Hanging Temple is a unique temple that integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Its architectural style is distinctive, renowned for its precariousness, resembling the edge of a chasm. The saying "Hanging Temple, halfway up the sky, suspended in the air by three horsetails" is often used, reflecting its abyssal quality. The Hanging Temple is considered the "most scenic spot" among the Eighteen Scenic Spots of Hengshan Mountain and was named one of Time Magazine's ten most endangered structures in the world in 2010.
Tips:
Address: At the foot of Hengshan Mountain, southeast of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 130 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-17:00
Hengshan, also known as "Taihengshan", was identified as the northernmost of the "Five Sacred Mountains" in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Its main peak, Tianfengling, has an altitude of 2,016.8 meters and is known as the "Northern Pillar of Heaven and Earth" and the "Famous Mountain in the Frontier".
Tips:
Address: Hengshan, southeast suburb of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 47 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 7:30-17:00
If you are a fan of ancient architecture, this temple is much more exciting than the Hengshan Temple Complex and the Hanging Temple. The most valuable part of Yong'an Temple is the 180.2 square meters of murals in the Chuanfa Zhengzong Hall, especially the ones on the front, which are the most exquisite. They depict the Ten Great Vidyarajas of Tantric Buddhism. Famous scholars such as Su Bai identified them as works from the Yuan Dynasty after examining them.
Tips:
Address: North Drum Tower Lane, northeast of Hunyuan County, Datong
Ticket price: 17 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-17:00
Shuozhou, formerly known as "Mayi", is where the Battle of Mayi during the Western Han Dynasty took place! Although Shuozhou is not well-known, the ancient buildings here are definitely top-notch in the country!
The full name of the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. It was built in the second year of Qingning in the Liao Dynasty and was completed in the sixth year of Mingchang in the Jin Dynasty. It is the oldest and tallest existing wooden pagoda in the world. It is known as one of the "Three Great Towers of the World" along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
In 2016, the Sakyamuni Pagoda was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's tallest wooden pagoda. Standing 67.31 meters tall and with a base diameter of 30.27 meters, the pagoda is octagonal in plan. The pagoda is constructed entirely of red pine wood, comprising 3,000 cubic meters (over 2,600 tons). Two tooth relics of Sakyamuni Buddha are enshrined within the pagoda.
Tips:
Address: Northwest corner of Ying County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 60 yuan
Tutorial: 50 yuan
Time: 7:30-19:00
Chongfu Temple is 200 meters long from north to south and 117 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of more than 23,400 square meters. The Jin Dynasty buildings, statues and murals in the temple are well preserved, making it an ancient temple of high historical value.
The Amitabha Hall, the main hall of Chongfu Temple and its largest, was built in the third year of the Huangtong reign of Emperor Xizong of the Jin Dynasty, boasting a history of over 850 years. The hall is tall and spacious, with a green glazed roof and elegant and exquisite window latticework. It is one of the most well-preserved examples of Jin Dynasty art in China. On the altar are three seated statues of the "Three Holy Ones of the West," flanked by four Bodhisattvas and two Vajra figures. These statues are all original Jin Dynasty creations, sculpted with ancient techniques and exquisite craftsmanship.
Tips:
Address: North side of East Street, Old City, Shuocheng District, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 30 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-11:30, 14:30-18:00
Jingtu Temple was founded in the 24th year of the Dading reign of the Jin Dynasty. The Main Hall features Qing Dynasty murals depicting Buddhist stories, using traditional folk painting techniques and composition. The hall's caisson ceilings and Tianguan Pavilion are beautifully shaped, complexly designed, and exquisitely constructed. These exquisite architectural models and handicrafts from the Jin Dynasty provide valuable material for studying the architectural regulations and design of the period.
Tips:
Address: Northeast corner of Ying County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province
Admission: Free
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-17:00
You may have never heard of Xinzhou City, but if you mention Mount Wutai, you will definitely be amazed. It is a must-visit place in Shanxi!
Mount Wutai is a famous Buddhist holy place in China. It is a treasure land where culture and scenery are perfectly integrated. As the first of the four famous Buddhist mountains, it is a witness to the history of Chinese Buddhism. With 5 million tourists every year, it is also the most popular scenic spot in Shanxi!
Tips:
Address: Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province
Tickets: 145 yuan, insurance 5 yuan, most major temples 10 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: All day
Construction began in the seventh year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, but it was destroyed by fire in the seventh year of the Chenghua reign and rebuilt in the twelfth year of the Chenghua reign. Built atop a tall brick arched platform, the Bianjing Tower boasts three stories and a four-eaved hip roof. It is the largest pavilion-style building in Shanxi and the largest existing drum tower in China. A plaque inscribed "Voices Reach All Around" hangs on the front of the tower, while a plaque inscribed "Power Over the Three Passes" hangs on the back. The plaques are large, with upright characters, and exude an extraordinary sense of grandeur.
Tips:
Address: Dai County, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 20 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:30
Yanmen Pass is an important pass on the Great Wall. Known for its danger, it is known as "the first pass in China" and is said to be "the first of the nine passes in the world." Together with Ningwu Pass and Pianguan Pass, it is known as the "Outer Three Passes."
Tips:
Address: Yanmen Mountain, about 20 kilometers north of Dai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 90 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
Laoniuwan is located at the border of Shanxi Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with the Yellow River as its dividing line. Bordered by Shanxi's Pianguan County to the south, Qingshuihe County of Inner Mongolia to the north, and Zhungeer Banner of the Ordos Plateau to the west, Laoniuwan is a place known as "Three Markets at the Crow of a Chicken."
Laoniuwan is famous for the Laoniuwan Fortress, built in 1467 during the third year of the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty. The Yellow River enters Shanxi Province at Laoniuwan, where the Inner and Outer Great Walls converge and the Shanxi-Shaanxi-Inner Mongolia Grand Canyon begins. The dramatic landscape of China's Loess Plateau is showcased here, recreating the magnificent spectacle of a surging river. Laoniuwan, where the Great Wall meets the Yellow River, is one of China's ten most beautiful canyons.
Tips:
Address: The junction of Laoniuwan Town, Xinzhou City and Laoniuwan Town, Qingshuihe County
Ticket price: 96 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: All day
Luya Mountain Scenic Area houses the 3 million-year-old Wannian Ice Cave in the National Geopark, a rare horizontal plank road connecting caves in North China, and is also the only Vairocana Buddha temple in China and the main protected area for the world's rare bird, the brown pheasant.
Malun Grassland is 2,721 meters above sea level and covers an area of more than 6,000 mu. It was formed during the Quaternary glacial period of the Cenozoic Era 750,000 years ago. It faces Luya Mountain from north to south and is one of the largest subalpine meadows in North China. It is a must-see scenic spot in Luya Mountain.
The Wannian Ice Cave was formed during the Quaternary glacial period of the Cenozoic Era, dating back three million years. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that, despite the local climate conditions outside the cave, ice remains unmelted year-round, with the ice becoming thicker the deeper one goes. It is the largest ice cave discovered in China to date and a rare large ice cave found outside of permafrost. Other lesser-known attractions include the Shimen Hanging Coffins and the Cliff Plank Road.
Tips:
Address: Dongzhai Town, Ningwu County, Xinzhou City
Tickets: Luya Mountain 100 yuan, Lover's Valley 30 yuan, Wannian Ice Cave 120 yuan, Shimen Hanging Coffin 25 yuan, Cliff Plank Road 30 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
Shangdang is the ancient name of southeastern Shanxi. "Shangdang has always been the backbone of the world". It is the highest point in the Central Plains. The towering 800-li Taihang Mountains have left the most beautiful scenery here, and the scattered temples in the mountains still retain the relics of ancient buildings. Qinshui River is lingering, and China's largest ancient castle group is located here. When you come here, you will see a different Shanxi!
Faxing Temple, originally located in the Cilin Valley of Changzi County, was built in the first year of the Shending reign of the Later Liang Dynasty (401 AD) during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Its current site is located on Cuiyun Mountain in Cuizhuang, Cilin Town, southeast of Changzi County, Shanxi Province, covering an area of 40,000 square meters. Faxing Temple boasts three national treasures: the stupa, the burning lamp tower, and the twelve clay sculptures of the Perfect Enlightenment. The stupa resembles a pagoda, but not a pagoda, and a temple, but not a temple. It is the only surviving Tang Dynasty pagoda in my country.
The Randeng Pagoda is a rare tangible relic for studying the relief art of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty in my country. Only three Randeng Pagodas of this type remain in my country. Legend has it that when Randeng lit the Buddha lamp, the lamp would never go out, regardless of wind or direction, making it a unique feature of Faxing Temple.
Although the Twelve Perfect Enlightenment Clay Sculptures are from the Song Dynasty, they retain the Tang Dynasty style in both image and technique, and are praised by art historians as "the crown of Song Dynasty Bodhisattva sculptures"!
Tips:
Address: Cuiyun Mountain, Cuizhuang, Cilin Town, southeast of Changzi County, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 15 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 9:00-17:30
Baquan Gorge is one of the five scenic areas of the Huguan Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon, which has been rated as one of the "Ten Most Beautiful Canyons in China." If you want to experience the beauty of the Taihang Mountains in Huguan, Baquan Gorge is the first choice! Baquan Gorge is a magnificent and rich attraction in the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon. Because it contains three spring clusters, each with eight springs, this scenic area in the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon is named "Baquan Gorge"!
Tips:
Address: Qiaoshang Township, Huguan County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 100 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 9:00-16:00
Tiantai Temple has a construction area of more than 90 square meters, of which only the main hall and a stone stele remain. The main hall is one of the four existing ancient wooden structures from the Tang Dynasty in China!
Tips:
Address: Wangqu Village, Danche Township, Pingshun County
Ticket price: 6 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: You need to call the cultural relics administrator to open the door
Dayunyuan covers an area of 4,000 square meters. The Great Buddha Hall and the Seven Treasures Pagoda are ancient buildings from the Five Dynasties period, while the rest of the buildings are mostly from the Qing Dynasty. The Great Buddha Hall's pupai fang is the earliest example of a traditional Chinese wooden structure, and serves as a living fossil of the evolution of Chinese wooden architecture from the Tang Dynasty modular system to the Song Dynasty construction style.
Tips:
Address: Longer Mountain, 23 kilometers northwest of Pingshun County, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 20 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 9:00-16:00
Longmen Temple gathers together buildings from the Five Dynasties, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and is known as the "Museum of Ancient Chinese Architecture". Among them, the west side hall from the Five Dynasties period is the earliest existing example of a hanging eaves-style building!
Tips:
Address: In the valley about 1.5 kilometers north of Yuantou Village, Shicheng Town, Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 10 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 9:00-16:00
The Jindeng Temple Grottoes were first built during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589) and have a total of 16 caves. The most prominent of the Jindeng Temple Grottoes are the hall grottoes, which include Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Vajras, Heavenly Kings, Arhats and characters from Buddhist stories. They all have beautiful figures and fine carvings, and are unique to the Ming Dynasty. They have extremely high artistic value and are an outstanding work among the final stages of Chinese cave sculptures.
Located on the cliff, standing in the cave, you can enjoy the vast view of the sea of clouds and mist!
Tips:
Address: Linlu Mountain, Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 48 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 9:00-16:00
This is not only a secret arsenal for the Eighth Route Army, but also a rare rock museum in the Taihang Mountains. A variety of rock types coexist on a single rock face, including shale, sandstone, and conglomerate. The rock face is dotted with vertical cracks left by orogenic movements, as well as schist layers formed by river cutting and erosion. Some cracks are narrow enough to fit only a little finger, while others are wide enough for two people!
Tips:
Address: Chiyu Village, Huangyadong Town, Licheng County, Changzhi City
Ticket price: 60 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-16:00
Jincheng is a treasure trove of ancient buildings in Shanxi. The ancient buildings from the Song and Jin dynasties here account for two-thirds of the wooden structures of the same period in Shanxi, and the Qinhe Ancient Castle Group is unique in Shanxi!
The Fucheng Jade Emperor Temple, founded in the ninth year of the Xining reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, was one of the largest and most influential Taoist temples in ancient Zezhou. Its rigorous structure and intricate carvings showcase the unique style of Song Dynasty temple architecture and the artistic talent of Zezhou's ancestors. Twenty-eight Yuan Dynasty star statues are preserved here, hailed by Chinese sculpture experts as the "leading examples of Yuan Dynasty colored sculpture."
Tips:
Address: Fucheng Village, Jincun Town, Zezhou County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 20 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:30-18:30
Qinglian Temple was built during the Tianbao period of the Northern Qi Dynasty. Ten steles inscribed with calligraphy from the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties still remain within the temple, featuring a variety of scripts, including regular, cursive, official, and seal scripts. These inscriptions offer valuable resources for studying temple history and calligraphy. The "Tang and Song Dynasty colored sculptures" here are exceptional, including the Tang Dynasty Buddha statue with hanging feet, a unique piece in the country.
Tips:
Address: Xishi Mountain, north of Sinanzhuang, 17 kilometers southeast of Jincheng City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 30 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
Kaihua Temple was first built during the reign of Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang Dynasty in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and was rebuilt during the Northern Song Dynasty. During the Northern Song Dynasty, a main hall was built. The main hall is the main building of the temple and is also the most valuable building in Kaihua Temple.
The painted patterns of ancient coins, sea pomegranates, and dragon-tooth hyacinth on the beams and brackets of the Main Hall of Kaihua Temple closely align with the patterns described in the Song Dynasty's "Yingzaofashi," making it the most complete preserved Song Dynasty painted pattern in ancient Chinese architecture. The hall's Song Dynasty murals are particularly valuable, covering 88.2 square meters. Completed in the third year of the Shaosheng reign of the Northern Song Dynasty, they depict Buddhist images and stories from Buddhist scriptures. They are the largest and best-preserved surviving Song Dynasty murals in China and are considered a nationally rare cultural relic.
Tips:
Address: Sheli Mountainside, Gaoping City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 20 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
The Imperial City Prime Minister's Mansion, with a total area of 36,000 square meters, is the former residence of Chen Tingjing, a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Minister of the Ministry of Personnel of the Qing Dynasty, the chief editor of the "Kangxi Dictionary", and the lecturer of the Imperial Lectures in the 35th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign. It consists of the inner city, outer city, Ziyunqian and other parts. It is a rare castle-style official residential complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is praised by experts as "the residence of the first cultural giant family in northern China."
Tips:
Address: Huangcheng Village, Beiliu Town, Yangcheng County, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 120 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
Xiangyu Ancient Castle is a honeycomb-shaped castle covering an area of approximately 32,500 square meters. Construction began in 1623 during the third year of the Tianqi reign of the Ming Dynasty and was completed in 1634 during the seventh year of the Chongzhen reign. Because Sun Dingxiang was the third of the four Sun brothers and had served as the Right Vice-Chief of the Censorate, his residence was named "Sandu Hall," hence the name "Sandu Ancient City." Separated from the Imperial City Xiangfu by a mountain, Xiangyu Ancient Castle boasts a distinctly different reputation, earning it the nickname "Sandu Ancient City."
Tips:
Address: Huangcheng Village, Beiliu Town, Yangcheng County, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 120 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
The Wangmangling Scenic Area encompasses four scenic systems: Wangmangling, Xiyagou, Kunshan, and Liuxiucheng. With its highest point exceeding 1,700 meters above sea level and its lowest point dropping only 300 meters into Huixian City, Henan Province, it is the highest peak in the southern Taihang Mountains. The sea of clouds, sunrises, peculiar peaks, pine waves, cliff-hanging roads, the Red Rock Grand Canyon, and three-dimensional waterfalls form the most famous natural attractions of the 800-li Taihang Mountains. Known as a "refreshing sanctuary," a "summer retreat," a "paradise on earth," and the "Supreme of the Taihang Mountains," Wangmangling boasts a unique blend of natural beauty and charm.
Tips:
Address: Lingchuan County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 110 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:30
Southwest Shanxi is the most unique area in Shanxi. It is the basin area with the mildest climate and the most fertile land in Shanxi, so it has become the cradle of Chinese civilization. Yao, Shun and Yu successively established their capitals here, and the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period achieved hegemony here. Due to the large-scale population migration in the Ming Dynasty, Southwest Shanxi has become the ancestral land for Chinese people to trace their roots!
If Xinzhou is famous for Mount Wutai, then Linfen is famous for Hukou Waterfall, but in fact it was also the ancient capital of Emperor Yao, and the colored glaze sculptures here are unique in Shanxi!
Located at the junction of Shanxi and Shaanxi, the question of which side is more beautiful is always a mystery to tourists! In fact, each has its own preferences. The Shanxi side is low-lying, allowing you to descend into the Dragon Cave and admire the waterfall from below, offering the best vantage point. The Shaanxi side is higher, offering a bird's-eye view of Hukou Waterfall. From different angles, you can witness the majestic and surging waterfall.
Tips:
Address: Hukou Town, Linfen City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 100 yuan, Dragon Cave 20 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 6:30-19:30
Yuhuangding, the highest peak of Yunqiu Mountain, rises 1,629 meters above sea level. Its unique karst landforms have formed a continuous chain of unusual peaks and ridges. Historical records describe it as "the most beautiful peak in Gushan." The Longmen School of Chinese Taoism was reborn here, making it as famous as Wudang Mountain, earning the reputation of "Yunqiu in the North, Wudang in the South."
Tips:
Address: Xiangning County, Linfen City, southern Shanxi Province
Tickets: 80 yuan, Dragon Cave 20 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-17:30
Guangsheng Temple was originally built in the first year of Jianhe (147 AD) during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. With the exception of the Feihong Pagoda in the Upper Temple and the Main Hall, which were rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, the remaining buildings date back to the Yuan Dynasty. The Hongdong Guangsheng Temple scenic area is divided into three buildings: the Upper and Lower Temples, and the Water God Temple. The Feihong Pagoda, the Zhaocheng Golden Canon, and the Yuan Dynasty murals in the Water God Temple are collectively known as the "Three Wonders of Guangsheng."
Feihong Pagoda is one of the five Buddhist relic pagodas and one of the four extant ancient pagodas in China. It is also the largest and most complete glazed pagoda discovered to date, the only one bearing a craftsman's inscription. It was the setting for the scene where Tang Monk sweeps the pagoda in the 1986 CCTV version of "Journey to the West." In August 2018, after on-site measurement and review by official World Records certification staff, the building was confirmed as the "world's tallest multicolored glazed pagoda."
The Zhaocheng Golden Canon is the version of the Kaibaozang, the first woodblock edition of the Tripitaka in my country during the Song Dynasty. This Tripitaka is a rare Chinese translation of the Sanskrit scriptures brought back from India by the great monk Xuanzang during the Tang Dynasty. It is the only copy in the world and is therefore regarded as a rare treasure. It is one of the four treasures of the National Library, along with the Yongle Encyclopedia, the Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature, and the Dunhuang Manuscripts.
The Water God Temple is the most complete existing temple dedicated to the Water God in my country. It was built no later than the Tang Dynasty. The Yuan Dynasty murals in the Water God Temple focus on praying for rain, making rain, and paying tribute to the gods, and have extremely high historical and artistic value.
Tips:
Address: County Road 544, Hongdong County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 55 yuan
Explanation: 50 yuan for the upper temple and 30 yuan for the lower temple
Time: 8:00-17:30
The Hongtong Big Sophora Tree is the only sacred site in China dedicated to root-seeking and ancestor worship. In 2008, the Big Sophora Tree ancestral worship custom was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage site. The scenic area is divided into five themed areas: the "Immigrant Historic Area," the "Ancestor Worship Activities Area," the "Folk Customs Tour Area," the "Fen River Ecological Area," and the "Ancestor Culture Square." It features over 60 scenic and cultural attractions, including a stele pavilion, second- and third-generation Big Sophora Trees, millennium locust roots, an ancestral worship hall, Guangji Temple, stone pagodas, relief carvings of immigrants, and the Chinese Surname Garden.
The migration from Hongtong Dahuaishu began with the southern migration of the Song Dynasty in the late Northern Song Dynasty, reached its peak during the Hongwu and Yongle reigns of the Ming Dynasty, and continued until the mid-Qing Dynasty. This period was the largest, most extensive, organized, and planned migration in Chinese history. It lasted for fifty years, involved 1,230 surnames, and left hundreds of millions of descendants of these immigrants across the country.
Tips:
Address: No. 002, Park Street, Guhuai North Road, Hongdong County, Linfen City
Ticket price: 80 yuan
Tutorial: 80 yuan
Time: 8:00-17:30
Xiao Xitian, also known as Qianfo Temple, was founded by Zen Master Dongming in the second year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty. It was originally named because of the thousand Buddha statues in the main hall. Later, due to the inscription "Taoist Western Heaven" on the gate, it was renamed "Xiao Xitian" to distinguish it from another Ming Dynasty temple in the south of the city, "Da Xitian."
The temple is built against the mountain, and the beams and frames are painted in rich and elegant colors, which is quite distinctive. It can be called the "masterpiece of hanging sculpture" in the history of Chinese sculpture art. In addition, the temple houses a rare official edition of "Ming Yongle Northern Tibetan" which has become a rare treasure for studying the history of Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan scriptures, ethics and even folk customs.
Tips:
Address: Fenghuang Mountain, west of Xi County
Ticket price: 35 yuan
Tutorial: 30 yuan
Time: 7:30-17:30
The Jin State Museum, built on the site of the Qucun-Tianma Ruins, a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, is the first museum dedicated to a site in Shanxi Province. It is also the only comprehensive platform in my country showcasing Jin culture. This museum has attracted considerable attention for housing the largest chariot and horse pit from the Shang and Zhou dynasties in China. This rectangular pit, 21 meters long from east to west and 14 to 15 meters wide from north to south, has unearthed 48 chariots and 105 horses, making it the largest chariot and horse pit discovered in China from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, predating the pit at the Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang by 600 years.
Tips:
Address: Jin State Museum, Qucun Town, Quwo County, Linfen City
Ticket price: 50 yuan
Tutorial: 60 yuan
Time: 9:00-17:00
The Xiezhou Guandi Temple, originally built during the Sui Dynasty, boasts a history of over 1,400 years. After being destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt in 1713 (the 52nd year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty) over a period of 11 years. The main structure is from the Qing Dynasty. It is the largest and best-preserved Guandi Temple in China.
Tips:
Address: Jiezhou Village, Jiezhou Town, Yanhu District, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 60 yuan
Tutorial: 60 yuan
Time: 9:00-17:00
Puji Temple is located on a plateau in Xixiang Village, Puzhou Town, Yongji City. Built during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty, Puji Temple, originally named Xiyongqingyuan, is a Buddhist monastery. The love story depicted in Wang Shifu's Yuan Dynasty novel, "Cui Yingying Waiting for the Moon in the West Chamber," in which "Hongniang ties the red thread under the moon, and Zhang Sheng chances upon Cui Yingying," takes place within Puji Temple.
Tips:
Address: On the plateau of Xixiang Village, Puzhou Town, Yongji City, Yuncheng District, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 60 yuan
Tutorial: 60 yuan
Time: 8:30-17:30
The Stork Tower was first built in the Northern Zhou Dynasty and was destroyed by fire in the first year of the Yuanguang reign of the Jin Dynasty (1222). It was rebuilt in December 1997 and officially opened to tourists on October 1, 2002.
The Stork Tower is a high-platform pavilion with a cross-shaped hip roof. The tower consists of a base and a main structure, reaching a total height of 73.9 meters. It is the tallest of the Four Great Towers and one of the most exquisite replicas of these buildings in China. The entire Stork Tower is painted with Tang Dynasty colored paintings, a technique lost in China. After extensive research, rescue, and redesign by experts from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Stork Tower is the only Tang Dynasty building in China to have been restored using this technique.
Tips:
Address: Puzhou Town, Yongji City, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 55 yuan
Tutorial: 60 yuan
Time: 8:30-17:30
Yongle Palace was built to commemorate Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals. Because it is located in Yongle Town, it is commonly known as Yongle Palace. It was founded between 1247 and 1358 AD. It is the largest and most complete Taoist temple in my country. It is known as one of the three ancestral temples of Quanzhen Taoism together with Baiyun Temple in Beijing and Chongyang Palace in Huxian County, Shaanxi.
When it was discovered during the first national cultural relics survey in 1952, it caused a sensation and astonished the academic community. Experts at the time concluded that the Yongle Palace is a fine surviving Yuan Dynasty building, a prime example of ancient Chinese painting, and one of the world's largest extant treasures of ancient mural art. The "Chao Yuan Tu" in the Sanqing Hall, in particular, represents the pinnacle of group image composition in world painting history, a rare masterpiece and a national treasure. Relocation and reconstruction are essential to protect this precious historical and cultural heritage.
Tips:
Address: Guwei Town, about 2 kilometers north of Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 60 yuan
Tutorial: 55 yuan
Time: 8:30-17:00
Feiyun Tower, a pure wooden structure in the Yuan and Ming dynasty styles, stands 23.19 meters tall. Its densely covered brackets create an exquisitely designed structure, earning it the nickname "South Tower and North Tower" alongside the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. While it appears three stories from the outside, it actually has five floors inside, totaling approximately 23 meters. A folk proverb goes, "Wanrong has a Jiedian Tower, half of which is stuck in the sky."
Tips:
Address: No. 8 Chengxi Street, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 15 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 9:00-17:00
Hou Tu Temple is a widely worshipped deity in China, the god of land. It is the oldest temple dedicated to Hou Tu (Earth Mother) in the vast Chinese land. In 1996, the State Council designated the Wanrong Hou Tu Temple as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site. While the existing Hou Tu Temple lacks the grandeur of its Tang and Song counterparts, its meticulous and complete layout makes it the largest Hou Tu temple in China.
Tips:
Address: North of Miaoqian Village, on the bank of the Yellow River, 40 kilometers southwest of Wanrong County, Shanxi Province
Ticket price: 20 yuan
Explanation: None
Time: 8:00-18:00
If you walk through the fine white sand beach by the blue sea
Climb to the snow-capped peaks on the plateau
Driving through the deserted road in the yellow sand Gobi
Then I recommend you to come to Shanxi
See the majestic Taihang Mountains, ancient murals, the Great Wall, and the Yellow River waterfalls
......
