My first trip of the new year was to Shanxi, and it was the perfect choice.

Follow me❗This is a journey to visit ancient sites in southeastern Shanxi. It's a 6-day trip through ancient architecture, colorful sculptures, and the filming locations of *Black Myth: Wukong*✨

📌Full itinerary: 6 days and 5 nights, Taiyuan-Pingyao-Linfen-Changzhi-Gaoping-Taiyuan

🚗Driving is essential! Take my advice!
⚠️Don't count on public transport! 90% of the state-protected ancient buildings are hidden in remote mountain villages (taxis can't get there at all).
⚠️The attractions are so scattered that you'll question your life choices (average 200 km+ driving per day).
⚠️Peak season car rental fees ≈ taxi fees (cheaper than high-speed rail for 4 people).

🌟DAY 1 Detailed Guide (Taiyuan)
Wusu Airport → (25 min taxi ride) Shanxi Grand Hotel → (walking distance) Liu Xiang Street → Shanxi Grand Hotel (lunch break) → Jinci Temple → Taiyuan Ancient County Town → Lin Xiang Zhai → (walking distance) Shanxi Grand Hotel

📸Jinci Temple Guide
🎫Tickets: Museum 80 RMB, park free. The park can be skipped.
🦶Must-follow route: Check in at the Three Treasures, Three Wonders, and Three Plaques along the central axis.
✅Three Treasures
1️⃣Hall of Offerings: Original Jin Dynasty structure, a "natural refrigerator" for offerings.
2️⃣Fish Marsh Flying Bridge: The originator of overpasses, praised by Mr. Liang Sicheng.
3️⃣Shrine of the Holy Mother: The only surviving ancient building in China that conforms to the *Yingzao Fashi* hall-style structure. The pillars in front of the hall feature China's earliest wood-carved coiled dragons, including the noticeable "Yeah Dragon" and "Thumbs-up Dragon."

✅Three Wonders
1️⃣Song Dynasty painted sculptures: Inside the Shrine of the Holy Mother, the original Song Dynasty painted sculptures of court ladies are masterpieces in the history of Chinese sculpture. Master Mei Lanfang observed one of the maid statues for three days and commented that her "every frown and smile seems to tell a story of her life."
2️⃣Zhou Cypress and Tang Dynasty Locust Tree: Over a thousand years old, they're almost "spirits."
3️⃣Nanlao Spring: Northern Qi style, the source of the Jin River.

✅Three Plaques
1️⃣Shui Jing Tai: Taken from the *Book of Han*, "Clear water and bright mirrors cannot escape form."
2️⃣Nanlao: Taken from the *Book of Songs*, "May you enjoy enduring longevity."
3️⃣Dui Yue: Taken from the *Book of Songs*, "Facing the heavens, the noble steeds run in the temple."
👉🏻Friendly advice: Hire an official guide! You won't understand anything on your own.
👉🏻Taiyuan Ancient County Town is far from the city center and can be visited after Jinci Temple. It's not worth a special trip.

🍜Taiyuan Must-Eat List (Liu Xiang Street Walking Guide)
✅Ren Yi Li Steamed Dumplings: Intangible cultural heritage cuisine! Thin skin, big filling, juicy and oily, rich but not greasy, delicious.
✅Shun Liu Knife-Shaved Noodles: Locals queue up for this intangible cultural heritage braised pork noodles. Experience the daily noodle-slurping routine of Taiyuan people.
✅Lin Xiang Zhai: A century-old restaurant, sweet and sour meatballs, Guo You Rou (stir-fried pork slices), Taiyuan vinegar fish... all are dishes listed on Taiyuan's intangible cultural heritage list. There are also special dandelion dumplings🥟, the first time I've heard of such a unique filling.

🏰Accommodation Bonus: Shanxi Grand Hotel
‼️Taiyuan's own Peace Hotel
‼️A palace-level hotel converted from the Ming and Qing imperial examination halls
‼️Tagore/Chiang Kai-shek's same style of guest rooms
‼️Carved beams and painted rafters for less than 300 RMB/night (no price increase during Lunar New Year!)
👉🏻Tips: Be sure to get up early to photograph the eaves and brackets in the morning light!

🎁Bonus at the end
Stay tuned for DAY 2 Pingyao Ancient City's must-try⚠️guide!
(Eat and drink your fill at Pingyao's time-honored brands/stay in the former union club)