Shanxi Province is a treasure trove of ancient Chinese architecture, from the 1,500-year-old Hanging Temple to the world's oldest wooden pagoda.
Top Sights in Shanxi
Yungang Grottoes (Datong)
A UNESCO World Heritage site with 51,000 Buddhist stone carvings in 252 caves, dating from the 5th-6th centuries.
Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si)
A gravity-defying temple built into a cliff face over 1,500 years ago.
Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian
The world's tallest and oldest wooden pagoda (67m, built in 1056), entirely constructed without nails.
Pingyao Ancient City
China's best-preserved Ming-Qing walled city, a UNESCO site with ancient banks, temples, and courtyard hotels.
Shuanglin Temple
Home to over 2,000 painted clay sculptures from the Song to Ming dynasties.
Qiao Family Compound
A magnificent 18th-century merchant's mansion with over 300 rooms.
Best Time to Visit
April-October. May and September offer the most pleasant weather.
Transportation
High-speed trains connect Taiyuan with Beijing (2.5h), Xian (3h), and Pingyao (40min).
Shanxi Cuisine
Shanxi knife-cut noodles, braised pork noodles, oil-splashed noodles, Pingyao beef, and aged Shanxi vinegar.
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