Top 50 Best Things to Do in Shanxi

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M46***14

From the moment I entered the hotel, the smiling service from receptionists Chen Chen and Qiong Qiong made me feel incredibly warm and welcome. Check-in was efficient and quick. The room was very clean and tidy, and the bed was soft and comfortable, making me never want to get up. The room was fully equipped, with the TV and air conditioning working perfectly, and there was plenty of hot water with stable pressure.

Anonymous user

Jinci Museum is located at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain, 25 kilometers southwest of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, at the source of the Jin River. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit and a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Jinci is world-renowned for its ancient architecture, sculptures, famous springs, and ancient trees. The temple grounds are beautiful, with magnificent buildings and numerous halls, pavilions, towers, terraces, bridges, and waterside pavilions dotting the landscape. The ancient trees are lush and the scenery is picturesque.

宝德瑞拉乛

Hukou Waterfall is absolutely stunning! The Yellow River crashes down with a thunderous roar, creating a mist that fills the air and makes your heart pound. Standing right in front of it, you truly understand what "the Yellow River roaring" means. Just a heads-up, ladies, the mud is incredibly sticky! Your shoes and pants will be soaked in no time. I suggest wearing old clothes or bringing a disposable raincoat, otherwise your photos will be nothing but muddy backgrounds.

138***30

The tour guide picked us up from the hotel early, and the route was well-planned. After the shuttle bus took us to our destination, the guide would arrive at the exit early according to his schedule, ensuring no time was wasted. We visited most of the major attractions, and the guide provided detailed explanations. He was patient and the tour was great value for money.

流浪的米

Follow Wukong on a tour of Shanxi | Yingxian Wooden Pagoda 🗼 The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda—the world's tallest and oldest existing pure wooden pavilion-style building. The entire pagoda is supported solely by mortise and tenon joints, without any iron nails. It is considered one of the "Three Great Towers of the World," along with the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The wooden pagoda has existed for nearly 969 years. Due to various reasons, the pagoda tilts by a few millimeters every year. Therefore, "every time you see it, you may see it again."

行走在民间的艺术家

5 stars! A millennium-old miracle on the cliff, breathtakingly stunning! A must-see landmark in Datong! Seeing the Hanging Temple in person truly reveals the meaning of "a magnificent spectacle"—the entire temple is embedded in the cliff face of Mount Heng's Cuiping Peak, supported only by 27 hemlock beams. From a distance, it looks like a pavilion suspended in mid-air; the architectural wisdom of the ancients is truly divine! Buying the 100 yuan entrance fee makes the trip worthwhile! The narrow walkway allows only one person to pass at a time. Holding onto the railing, with a deep canyon below and a thousand-year-old wooden structure beside you, every step is both thrilling and mesmerizing. The Three Religions Hall in the North Tower is absolutely stunning, with statues of Shakyamuni, Confucius, and Lao Tzu enshrined together—a rare "three religions in one" arrangement nationwide. The magnificent stone inscription by Li Bai in front of the temple is a must-see. The poet's addition perfectly captures the essence of this extraordinary sight. The scenic area is well-managed. Making a reservation in advance via their official WeChat account avoids long queues, and staff will remind you of safety precautions. Wearing non-slip shoes is recommended, and those with a fear of heights should be cautious when climbing the plank road! After your visit, stop by Hunyuan County for a bowl of spicy and refreshing Hunyuan cold noodles, paired with oat noodles – a truly satisfying authentic northern Shanxi flavor. If you have enough time, definitely combine the Hanging Temple, Hengshan Mountain, and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda into a one-day tour, unlocking three ancient architectural wonders in one go! It's absolutely the most unforgettable highlight of your Shanxi trip, highly recommended for anyone who loves culture and nature! Would you like me to create a detailed one-day itinerary for the Hanging Temple + Hengshan Mountain, marking transportation and must-try restaurants?

M36***25

The best time to go is in the morning, when the light is best. If you go in the afternoon, the weather needs to be good enough. Inside the magnificent main hall, which uses 14 kilograms of gold, I spent over an hour looking up repeatedly. My neck pain is almost cured! Aside from the main hall, the rest of the hall isn't particularly impressive. A slight drawback is that the security guards kept reminding everyone to leave quickly, which is understandable given the sheer number of people. I imagine there will be fewer people in winter when it's cold, allowing for a quieter contemplation and communion with the thousand Buddhas across time. Once you're there, you'll know it was worth the trip; it's truly breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking.

棹云以为舟

Because the "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" program included a special itinerary at Yanmen Pass, even during the winter holidays, it wasn't too crowded. It's a magnificent pass, definitely worth a visit. Climb the mountain and experience the feeling of iron horses and golden spears.

酷酷的哈士奇

The scenery is nice and the bus is very convenient, good reviews! But the consumption level in the scenic area is a bit high, especially in some farmhouse restaurants, where two people can eat more than 100 yuan, while other places in the mountains only cost dozens of yuan.

M24***32

I came to the Qiao Family Compound because of the TV series, but it was almost closing time when I arrived. I hired a guided tour and walked through each courtyard like a special forces soldier, and saw the "treasures" hidden in the compound. The original owner's design requirements and architectural ideas for the entire compound were truly remarkable.