Shanxi | I Rarely Describe a Place as Breathtaking

| I rarely describe a place as breathtaking. 🏞️ Going to Shanxi is not just travel, but a journey through thousands of years of civilization to reconnect with your roots‼️

🏯 Here, you can witness the miracle of mortise and tenon joints that have kept the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda standing for 600 years; the Mahāśrī Goddess of Merit at Shanhua Temple 🙏🏻, lowering her compassionate gaze upon you; on the murals of Yongle Palace, the wind from the flowing robes of immortals seems to brush against your cheeks; the giant Buddha statues in the Yungang Grottoes represent what writer Yu Qiuyu described as "China's stride toward the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty"; the eyes in the palms of the Thousand-Hand Guanyin at Shuanglin Temple 👁️ seem to perceive all suffering in the human world; and the suspended sculptures filling Xixian Little Western Paradise create a heavenly world in the air.

🔭 From the Buddhist light of the Northern Wei Dynasty to the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, every historical site in the Three Jin regions tells a story.

📜 Shanxi travel tips:
1⃣️📆 Best seasons to visit: Spring and autumn (April-June/September-October) to avoid harsh winters and hot summers.
2⃣️🎫 Many ancient buildings are scattered in rural areas, so it's recommended to hire a car or drive yourself. Remember to check opening hours in advance.
3⃣️📸 Bring a telephoto lens to capture the perfect composition of ancient bracket systems and light and shadow.
4⃣️ Do some cultural homework beforehand, or bring Liang Sicheng's "History of Chinese Architecture" 📚 as a guide. 🎞️ Recommended documentaries: "Meeting You in Shanxi," "Crossing the Distance of Time, Following Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin to Explore Ancient Chinese Architecture" series, "Yungang"...

📙 Recommended 5-day itinerary:
Day1⃣️ Guandi Temple, Yongle Palace
Day2⃣️ Little Western Paradise
Day3⃣️ Shuanglin Temple, Guangsheng Temple
Day4⃣️ Shanhua Ancient Temple, Huayan Temple, Hanging Temple
Day5⃣️ Yungang Grottoes, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

Post by Carter Madison 17 | Apr 24, 2025