Top 50 Best Things to Do in Shanxi

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M39***63

The grottoes are a magnificent collection of sculptures, quite different from those in Dunhuang, Longmen, and Maijishan. There are a few unique hidden gems that require careful listening to the explanations to find. I visited them twice, and it would take a whole day to see them all!

139***00

An unexpected bonus was meeting many cats at the zoo, which added a lot of fun. Some of them were so thin and bony; it broke my heart. I hope the zoo can have compassion and give these little creatures, who are struggling to survive the winter, more care. We are willing to support any crowdfunding efforts needed. Thank you.

136***71

Only by experiencing Hukou Waterfall in person can one truly appreciate the awe-inspiring power of the Yellow River's roar! The surging, turbid waves plunge into the deep pool like a thousand horses, their thunderous roar echoing through the sky, while the spray brings a refreshing coolness. A rainbow arches against the backdrop of the raging torrents, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The scenic area's viewing platforms are well-designed, offering multiple angles to appreciate the waterfall's majestic grandeur. This is a baptism of nature's power, a direct display of national spirit—an unforgettable experience!

xichengpaomo

It's pretty good, valid for three days, so you can split the trip into several visits. I personally recommend the Ma Family Courtyard, the County Government Office, Xietongqing, and Rishengchang. Just scan the QR code. If you want paper tickets, you can buy them offline.

G闲青衣

The Wooden Pagoda is easily accessible by direct bus from downtown Datong. It's a traditional wooden structure built with mortise and tenon joints without nails. Despite its tilted shape, it has stood for a thousand years. The five-story, six-eaved structure, along with its colorful sculptures and murals, tells ancient stories and is truly breathtaking. Although only one floor is currently open to the public, it still evokes a powerful sense of awe and wonder at China's ancient culture.

Anonymous user

The Hanging Temple, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, is located on the cliff of Cuiping Peak on the west side of Jinlong Gorge in Hengshan Mountain, Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province. It is known by the local saying, "The Hanging Temple, halfway to heaven, suspended by three horse tails." Built 1400 years ago in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, it is a unique temple in China that integrates Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, and is the oldest existing wooden structure complex built on a cliff in the world. Originally called "Xuankong Pavilion," it was later renamed "Hanging Temple" because the entire temple appears to hang on the cliff; in Chinese, "hanging" and "mysterious" are homophones.

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.

MarsMar

Yanmen Pass is definitely worth a visit. I visited the Badaling Great Wall many years ago, and the experience was different. The day I went, the fog was quite thick, so visibility was limited. Also, I arrived rather late, so I didn't explore too far, but the early winter scenery was still beautiful. The difficulty of the climb further highlights the hardships endured by the ancient soldiers, and it makes one marvel at the wisdom of the ancients in building this magnificent pass.

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.

136***19

When visiting Shanxi, a trip to Jinzhong is incomplete without a visit to the Qiao Family Compound. However, the ticket price is not very friendly and is generally quite expensive. But strolling around the compound is still a worthwhile experience!