Xinzhou Ancient City | CCTV didn’t lie to me, this ancient city is so fun to visit!

Magnificent mountains and rivers, a vibrant world of hustle and bustle! Xinzhou Ancient City—a truly treasured town even CCTV has named!

Having been captivated by the show before, I definitely chose this place for my second stop on this Shanxi trip! From Taiyuan, it's a 🚗1-hour drive—super convenient!

I've been to many ancient cities, but Xinzhou really struck a chord! There aren't any cookie-cutter snack streets here; instead, the streets are filled with authentic Shanxi flavors: buckwheat river lao (a type of fish dish), sauerkraut dumplings, Baode oil cakes, beef kidneys, minced noodles, red-faced fish, oat noodles, stuffed stone cakes, pig's trotters... almost every one of them is new to me! Eating and wandering along the way, I was completely overwhelmed by the carbs and happiness!

What's even more surprising is that all snacks are clearly marked and affordable. The ancient city is well-managed, so you can eat with confidence and have a pleasant time.

Admission to the Temple of the God of Wealth, Guandi Temple, Taishan Temple, and Wenchang Temple within the ancient city is all free!

Don't miss Xiyuan either; it's beautiful for photos, and any photo captures the atmosphere.

🍜Food Spot Route:
Xiurong North Lane ➡️ Blue Wall Alley ➡️ Shenmiao Lane ➡️ Taishan Temple Lane ➡️ North-South Street

We recommend taking a photo of the ancient city's food map 🗺 and following this route to avoid disappointments.

🏯 Xiurong Academy:
A complex of Ming and Qing dynasty-style ancient buildings, overlooking the entire ancient city from atop the vantage point 🏮
The wooden doors of the teahouse within the academy are truly stunning. Light a pot of tea, wait for dusk to fall, and watch the lights come on, creating a dazzling nightscape. ✨
Catching a stunning sunset is truly bliss.

🎫 Ticket Information:
✔️ Admission to attractions within the ancient city: Free 🆓
✔️ Climbing the city wall: Free 🆓
✔️ "Tang Style and Jin Charm" Iron Flower Show: ¥38.9
✔️ "Meeting Xiurong" Immersive Performance: ¥88

🅿 Free Parking
We navigated directly to the Xinzhou Ancient City South Gate parking lot, where parking was plentiful and convenient.