Five thousand years seem distant, but Shanxi is close at hand | Shanxi Travelogue: Jinzhong Chapter

📍Located in central Shanxi Province, Jinzhong is a city brimming with charm and character, boasting rich historical culture and captivating natural scenery. Let’s explore Jinzhong together and immerse ourselves in this dreamlike autumn paradise. Don’t forget to save this guide if you love it!

1️⃣ Qiao Family Compound
The Qiao Family Compound is renowned for the mansions of the prominent Shanxi merchant Qiao Zhiyong and his family, featuring four main halls and one garden: Zhongzhi Hall, Dexing Hall, Baoyuan Hall, Ningshou Hall, and Qiao Family Garden. Visiting here offers insights into the Qiao family’s history and the spirit of Shanxi merchants, as well as the chance to admire the exquisite architecture, including intricate brick, stone, and wood carvings, and ornate plaques.🌟

2️⃣ Mianshan Mountain
The Mianshan Scenic Area showcases a diverse array of antique-style buildings. These structures blend traditional architectural excellence with modern creativity from designers and builders, forming a unique style that combines ancient and contemporary Chinese architectural brilliance.🌟

3️⃣ Yuci Old Street
The ancient-style buildings in the city are complemented by golden ginkgo leaves and fiery red maple trees against the backdrop of old city walls, creating a breathtaking scene. The bustling shops along the street exude vibrant life. Strolling through Yuci Old Town, breathing in the fresh air, and soaking in the autumn beauty, you’ll feel the perfect harmony of nature and history.🌟

4️⃣ Zhenguo Temple
With eaves soaring like wings and layered brackets, the temple’s Tang Dynasty legacy gracefully extends through its Five Dynasties wooden structure. Inside, 11 colorful clay statues from the Five Dynasties, though faded, remain vividly expressive. The compassionate gaze of Sakyamuni transcends millennia, and the folds of the guardian deities’ robes still carry the craftsmen’s breath.🌟

5️⃣ Pingyao Ancient City
The city walls stretch 6,163 meters long and stand about 12 meters high, making them one of the largest, earliest, and best-preserved ancient city walls in existence.🌟

6️⃣ Wang Family Compound
The ancient architecture contrasts beautifully with the vibrant autumn leaves, forming a picturesque scene. Here, you can marvel at the grand scale of the buildings and the exquisite craftsmanship of the carvings, while sensing the former glory and prestige of the Wang family.🌟

7️⃣ Shuanglin Temple
🌻 Each statue’s expression, posture, and attire are unique, making me feel as if I’ve ascended to the heavens, becoming one among countless figures attending an immortal gathering, listening to their discussions on scriptures and the mysteries of yin and yang.🌟

8️⃣ Zhangbi Ancient Castle
Stepping into the castle, the towering walls instantly evoke a sense of historical weight. It’s like traveling back in time, imagining the prosperity and resilience of this place in its heyday.🌟

9️⃣ Jinzhong Museum
Though its collection size is comparable to other prefecture-level museums, every exhibited artifact is carefully selected for its high aesthetic and educational value. The lifelike sculptures, in particular, are not only vivid but also rich in storytelling, captivating visitors.🌟