Shanxi Off-Season Travel Guide

Shanxi off-season travel is a must-go.
Shanxi people are so low-key‼️ They have such a treasure trove of tourist destinations, yet they keep it so well-hidden~
🔥 Take a trip to Taiyuan, Datong, and Pingyao to explore ancient architectural complexes, exquisite grotto murals, ancient cities and temples, as well as magnificent natural landscapes.

🙋🏻‍♀️ For those planning a trip to Shanxi, here’s a 6-day treasure itinerary for pure sightseeing without detours!!

👉D❶: Gather in Taiyuan
👉D❷: Taiyuan - Wang Family Courtyard - Hukou Waterfall - Stay in Jixian
👉D❸: Jixian - Xiaoxitian in Xixian - Pingyao Ancient City - Stay in Pingyao
👉D❹: Pingyao - Wutai Mountain for an in-depth tour - Stay in Wutai Mountain
👉D❺: Wutai Mountain - Hanging Temple - Yungang Grottoes - Stay in Datong
👉D❻: Datong - Yanmen Pass - Return to Taiyuan

🌈 Must-visit attractions
🚗 Xiaoxitian
Location: Linfen, Shanxi
📆 Recommended visit time: 2 hours
Xiaoxitian is a unique masterpiece of suspended sculptures, a pinnacle of Eastern aesthetics. The carvings and stone statues inside are exquisitely crafted and lifelike.
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🚗 Hanging Temple
Location: Datong, Shanxi
📆 Recommended visit time: 2 hours
The Hanging Temple is perched halfway up a cliff, supported by three wooden beams. This ancient temple on the cliffs of Jinlong Gorge and Cuiping Peak is a nail-free mortise-and-tenon architectural marvel.
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🚗 Yungang Grottoes
Location: Datong, Shanxi
📆 Recommended visit time: 3.5 hours
With over 1,500 years of history, the Yungang Grottoes are a stunning example of grotto art. Built into the mountainside, the 20+ grottoes each have unique features, offering an unparalleled sense of awe.
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🚗 Wutai Mountain
Location: Xinzhou, Shanxi
📆 Recommended visit time: 3.5 hours
Wutai Mountain is one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains. Beyond its spiritual significance, it boasts lush vegetation, making it a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate.
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🚗 Hukou Waterfall
Location: Linfen, Shanxi
📆 Recommended visit time: 2 hours
Located in the Qin-Jin Grand Canyon, the waterfall narrows from a width of over 300 meters upstream to just over 20 meters, creating the spectacular "Yellow River in a pot" phenomenon.
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🚗 Pingyao Ancient City
Location: Pingyao, Shanxi
📆 Recommended visit time: Half a day
Pingyao is a distinctive ancient city in Shanxi, rich in Jin merchant culture. We’ll stay overnight in a unique local inn to experience the lifestyle of the locals.