Things to do & places to visit in Shanxi, China


Shanxi cover image

Shanxi #19 destination in China 2023. The average rating score is 4.32 based on 8.520 traveler reviews, of 696 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Shanghai, current date and time: Friday, March 29, 2024, 8:57.

Shanxi Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in March

53°F - 27°F
Temperature Highs - Lows
Cold with a gentle breeze
Feels like
8%
Chance of rain
22.0 millimeters
Amount
12.9 mph
Wind speed
44%
Humidity
11.9
Daylight length
6:41 AM
Sunrise
6:35 PM
Sunset
61%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear

Top things to do (17)

Top destinations in Shanxi 100

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Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

  1. 5.0 Wuguantun Grotto (59 reviews)
    - It's awesome but keep in mind that Yungang Grotto and Wuguantun Grotto are one place ;)
    Friday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Caverns & Caves
    Wuguantun Grotto image
    In Trip Advisor there are two different places worth see - Yungang and Wugantun Grotto - but it's the same! Nevertheless it's breath taking place. See more..
  2. 4.5 Ancient City of Pingyao (1.370 reviews)
    - Peaceful. Beautiful and Fascinating
    Historic Sites
    Ancient City of Pingyao image
    Spent two days here with my colleagues. This amazingly well preserved Qing city is a visual spectacle. From the city walls you can see the order behind the apparent chaos as walking through it is easy to lose yourself. Dozens of museums, hundreds of historic buildings and years of history unfold before your eyes. At night red lanterns illuminate everything with a gentle glow. Stay in a boutique courtyard hotel, enjoy the local food, sample the locally produced drinking vinegar, shop till you drop and finish the day off at a bar. This place has it all. Couldn't recommend more highly. See more..
  3. 4.5 Yungang Grottoes (974 reviews)
    - Very Cool History
    Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:20 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Caverns & Caves
    Yungang Grottoes image
    There are over 50 caves with over 50,000 well-preserved Buddhist statues from the 5th century. See more..
  4. 4.5 Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) (778 reviews)
    - Impressive cliff-hanging temple
    Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
    Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) image
    The monastery was built on the cliffs of Mt. Hengshan, one of the five most sacred mountains in China. The caves and halls are connected by winding corridors and bridges. See more..
  5. 4.5 Wutai Shan (Five Terrace Mountain) (436 reviews)
    - 2 days visiting all 5 peaks full on foot hiking trip
    Mountains • Religious Sites
    Wutai Shan (Five Terrace Mountain) image
    Consisting of five high plateaus, this area is one of China's four sacred Buddhist Mountains. See more..
  6. 4.5 City Wall of Pingyao (393 reviews)
    - Awesome ancient defensive walled-city
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    City Wall of Pingyao image
    The impressive, ancient 6.2 kilometres in length, and averaging 10 metres in height, wall around the city is estimated to have been built over the 827BC to 782BC period. Since the 14th century, this has been a city of the Chinese Han people. Inside the city walls, there are temples of Shuanglin and Zhenguo. There is a lot of history here, and since 1982, it has been protected by a number of Chinese laws, including, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics. The ancient city walls of China a very spectacular. Other than in size, this has many of the same characteristics as the ancient walls of Xi’an and Nanjing. See more..
  7. 4.5 Hukou Waterfall (209 reviews)
    - Hukou Waterfall - a place you never forget!
    Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Bodies of Water • Waterfalls
    Hukou Waterfall image
    The Hukou Waterfall is the second largest waterfall in China and the largest on the legendary Yellow River. As a result it is often claimed that this is "the only yellow waterfall in the world." It is right on the border between Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces. The 300-meter wide Yellow River suddenly narrows and is forced violently through a 20-meter-wide gorge before falling turbently as a waterfall. As with the other applications I've submitted, I'd be happy to provide a major write up should you wish to give this a listing. On another note, I would suggest you consider reorganizing the categories of your listings for Shanxi. Listing them completely by counties doesn't really make sense. I'd be happy to make an alternative suggestion if you'd like. (Heather Pickerell, alias ShanxiFan) See more..
  8. 4.5 Wang's Family Compound (Wang Jia Dayuan) (166 reviews)
    - Incredible
    Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
    Wang's Family Compound (Wang Jia Dayuan) image
    This "family" compound was for the ruling clan of the province. The courtyard community consists of 3 large groups of courtyard homes that look like 3 castles on a hillside, connected by bridges across ravines. I've been to many places in China. Wang is definitely a must see. See more..
  9. 4.5 Jinsi Temple (151 reviews)
    - Wonderful gem!
    Religious Sites
    Jinsi Temple image
    I absolutely loved visiting Jinsi. It was a beautiful day when I went, and the climate was excellent. There is a lot to see there, and it is surrounded by beautiful scenery and a clear flowing creek. There weren't any English speaking tour guides there, but there was ample English to read, so I don't feel like I missed out too much. I would definetly recommend visiting here if you are in Shanxi. Bonus: it wasn't very crowded! See more..
  10. 4.5 Jinci Park (118 reviews)
    - Excellent place to spend a day
    Amusement & Theme Parks
    Jinci Park image
    Another amazing history site back to 3000 years more ago. Building in this park are thousand years old. A spring fountain still working even after several thousand years. See more..
  11. 4.5 Shanxi Museum (96 reviews)
    - Impressive Museum
    Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums
    Shanxi Museum image
    The Shanxi Museum is a wonderful provincial museum managed by the government of Shanxi Province, home of some of the oldest history in China. The museum is located in Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi, in a modern four-storey building. It was wonderful collections of old history, Chinese money, architecture, Buddhist sculptures and much more. I'd be happy to write a full description if this listing is approved. I am not an official representative of this property but have clicked the box as you should seriously consider listing it. See more..
  12. 4.5 Ping Yao Temple of the City God (87 reviews)
    - Best temple in Pingyao
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    Ping Yao Temple of the City God image
    It is probably the main highlight to visit in Pingyao. Quiet place if you want to escape the crowded Pingyao. See more..
  13. 4.5 Mengshan Mountain Buddha (60 reviews)
    - Nice spot to visit
    Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
    Mengshan Mountain Buddha image
    I used DiDi to visit there. From the southern part of Taiyuan(near Wucheng Residential District), it took 40min and ¥40 to the closest parking lot. From the parking lot, we walked a few minutes to the ticket office. There are some stores on the way to the office, so I recommend to get a bottle of water and some snacks if you like. A ticket was ¥50 to enter the sight, including round trip bus ticket. Through the entrance gate, bus station is very close. We ride the bus for a couple of minutes. After that, all the visitor must walk to the top of the mountain. The staff told me it would take 40-60min, but I thought it took us only 20-30min to the Buddha. The road was clean and easy to walk, there were so many benches, rest rooms and bins on the sidewalk. I saw some cleaning staff were sweeping the street. I went here on spring, so the weather was just perfect. I enjoyed watching trees and creek so I didn’t feel it was a long walk. When you climb up the last stairs to the top, the Buddha is there. Mesmerizing. Lucky for us, very few people were there. And you can walk up a little more to the top, right under the Buddha. I prayed, took some awesome pictures, and meditated. The trip was something like this. The staff here did not speak English, but if you know there process you will not have trouble. See more..
  14. 4.5 Huangcheng Prime Minister's Mansion (54 reviews)
    - Over 700 metres above sea level
    Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM Architectural Buildings
    Huangcheng Prime Minister's Mansion image
    I'm not 100% sure if this is the same place we were at. Hard to tell by the names given to attractions. My attraction ticket is mostly all Chinese. See more..
  15. 4.5 Yingze Park (46 reviews)
    - Beautiful Oasis in the City
    Parks
    Yingze Park image
    Could spend hours walking through this park. Very beautiful during the day but absolutely stunning at night with all the beautiful lights. Feels very safe at any time of day. See more..
  16. 4.5 Ming and Qing Dynasties Street (46 reviews)
    - Ancient streets
    Historic Sites
    Ming and Qing Dynasties Street image
    All the streets insides Pingyao ancient city are fascinating and worth a stroll, either during the day or at night. They are always busy, always full of people and the atmosphere is always exciting. Every shop front is a museum in itself and worth a photo stop. Strolling the streets is free, but you will need the Pingayo ancient own ticket to stop in any of the museums or temples en route. See more..
  17. 4.5 Xinzhou Successive Great Wall (40 reviews)
    - 踏入长城
    Historic Sites
    Xinzhou Successive Great Wall image
    当我从遥远的南方不远万里来到这高大雄伟的长城上的时候,心中无比的兴奋和喜悦,真是为祖国的大好河山而骄傲和自豪,中国的先辈是用他们的勤劳和智慧建造而成,他们的岁月痕迹已经印在这威严的长城上,我的心里无比感恩。 See more..
  18. 4.5 Chang Family Compound (36 reviews)
    - Ought to be better known!
    Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
    Chang Family Compound image
    The Chang Family Compound, between Taiyuan and Pingyao, is a wonderful place, built by a family who made their fortune by trading tea. It is not an exaggeration to call it magnificent; it is absolutely huge with many different buildings and interesting insights into China's history, and a lovely garden. So few westerners come here that we were a curiosity and all the locals wanted their photos taken with us. See more..
  19. 4.5 Shanhua Monastery (36 reviews)
    - Good experience
    Friday: 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites
    Shanhua Monastery image
    Honestly, in China it is so very easy to get “Templed-out” from all the temples and monasteries there are. They all follow the same patterns, architecture, style and colours. Eventually you dread going to yet another “famous” temple, because they all start to look the same. That all being said, I’m happy I paid a visit to this place. It doesn’t feel like many other temples that came from the same temple factory. Yes, the place has been around for 1000 years and has likely been rebuilt a dozen times in that period, including recently, but there are some buildings here that look and feel, “old”. It’s a nice change. There are great opportunities here for some photos. There is a wonderful water area that makes for great photos. Very few people as it is away from the main tourist area. Free admission. There is a 5-dragon wall outside. If you only have time for one temple or monastery on your trip, head to this one. See more..
  20. 4.5 Pingyao County Government Museum (36 reviews)
    - Fascinating place
    Friday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM History Museums
    Pingyao County Government Museum image
    The small entrance is deceptive of the large courtyards and building complex behind! Audio guides make the visit very enjoyable. These guides can be kept for the day and used on 17 or so of the refurbished buildings in Pingyao. Free admission for those over 60. See more..
  21. 4.5 Jinci Museum (32 reviews)
    - This is ancient China!
    Speciality Museums
    Jinci Museum image
    The Jinci temple complex is a fascinating group of very ancient buildings, with beautiful statues, a unique bridge and a tall pagoda. The dragons on the pillars of the Holy Mother Hall are amazing, and there are some huge statues inside. Jinci is not on the normal tourist circuit, but it is well worth visiting; it can be easily reached from Taiyuan on your way to Pingyao. See more..
  22. 4.5 Xietongqing Unincorporated Bank Museum (30 reviews)
    - Fascinating site
    Speciality Museums
    Xietongqing Unincorporated Bank Museum image
    Definitely a must see on the city tour ticket. Great architecture and decor to see and the vaults are unique in the city and not to be missed. More like a temple than a bank and well worth exploring. See more..
  23. 4.5 Zhenguo Temple (29 reviews)
    - This is an undiscovered gem
    Religious Sites
    Zhenguo Temple image
    There's only one thing to see here: Wanfo (Ten Thousand Buddhas) Hall, the only surviving building of a once much-larger Buddhist monastery. But what a building it is! Built in 963, it's one of the oldest wood buildings in China, or in the world, for that matter. The architectural details---particularly the bracketing and eaves----are extraordinary. Inside is an ensemble fo eleven painted-clay Buddhist sculptures, also dating from the tenth century---both beautiful and intensely spiritual. Zhenguo is a short drive (12k) outside Pingyao and is surrounded by cornfields. It's completely off the tourist circuit. We were there for half an hour, and during that time only two other visitors dropped by. See more..
  24. 4.5 Great Wall-Yanmenguan Section (20 reviews)
    - The pass is rebuilt and new, but there is an earth wall north of it
    Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites
    Great Wall-Yanmenguan Section image
    We came down from Datong and our driver stopped short of the pass and stopped and showed us a section of earth wall. It is unrestored and free. It is easy to walk bits of it and you really can imagine the hordes coming down here. Well worth a visit. The pass itself is rebuilt and quite interesting, but no feeling of history for me. See more..
  25. 4.0 Qiao's Family Compound (Qiao Jia Dayuan) (258 reviews)
    - Beautiful ancient courtyard-house
    Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
    Qiao's Family Compound (Qiao Jia Dayuan) image
    This 9,000 square metre, private residential compound was constructed in the last half of the 18th century. It has 313 room and 25 courtyards of varying sizes. The courtyards include a grand courtyard, five other large, and 19 smaller ones. Its most famous resident was Qiao Zhiyong (1818 to 1907), a famous Chinese financier of the 19th century. The Qing dynasty architecture, wooden carvings, brick and stone carvings, and many other features are spectacular. The compound is sometimes used in movie sets. The movie “Raise the Red Lantern” was filmed here. The property is now used as a folk culture museum of Qixian County See more..
  26. 4.0 Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda (178 reviews)
    - The wooden Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple
    Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
    Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda image
    A work of fine craftsmanship and art. In 1056, Emperor Daozong of Liao had the wooden pagoda built at what was his grandmother's home. It is the world's oldest wooden pagoda and has withstood earthquakes and and wars. See more..
  27. 4.0 Mian Mountain (166 reviews)
    - Photogenic and really beautiful in parts, but really tacky in parts and an expensive day trip
    Friday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Mountains
    Mian Mountain image
    November 2014, after a day in Ancient City Pingyao, instead of hiring a guide, and or taxi, we took a train early morning to Jiexiu. It took about half an hour, and saved a lot of money. We paid 50 RMB to the taxi to go to Mian Shan Scenic area. After procedures with tickets and hotel accomodations, in central tourist office, we were transfered into tourist bus, which run every half an hour. Magnificient fews around cannot be described into words, and put into photos and video. High altitude and clear air create feeling of Switzerland, high drop cliffs of Big Canyon in Nevada, and only Taoist Temples remind that you are in the East. Our family of four, with two kids, 7 and 10, consider trip to Mian Shan as a Highlight of all our trip to China. And ,when I asked everyone, which place in China you would like to visit again...Mian Shan was named the First! (Even we visited seven major places on our trip, like Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall, Pingyao Ancient City, Jiexiu with Mian Shan, Xi'an, Qingdao, Lao Shan, Shanghai, and town on water Zhujiajiao) Views are outstanding in Mian Shan, and if we go next time, we spend at least three-four days there, just hiking and wondering. Rooms in Yunfeng Hotel are very comfortable, restaurant prices are reasonable, and food is excellent. You can view some of my photos on panoramio... http://www.panoramio.com/user/2191248 See more..
  28. 4.0 Rishengchang Former Bank (166 reviews)
    - You can bank on it..... one of the first banks
    Friday: 7:55 AM - 5:31 PM Historic Sites
    Rishengchang Former Bank image
    This former bank is now a museum to banking in Pingyao that was the banking capitol of China. At one point the bank had 33 branches. Banking center from 1823 to 1932 and introduced paper money in 1920. See more..
  29. 4.0 Pingyao Confucian Temple (156 reviews)
    - Confucious say, .....
    Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
    Pingyao Confucian Temple image
    Confuious practiced his way and educated many. He was born in 551 BC and lived until 479 BC. The temple is a holy space dedicated to his life and teachings. Beautiful facilities and gardens. See more..
  30. 4.0 Huayan Temple of Datong (144 reviews)
    - Beautiful view
    Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Religious Sites
    Huayan Temple of Datong image
    This is in the middle of the Ancient City, a very large Temple complex, 50RMb entrance fee. If I recall correctly, almost the entire place is a rebuild for <15 years ago, in fact almost all the Ancient City is a modern rebuild. If you like Chinese Temples, go have a look see. It’s the same pattern and architecture you’ll see at almost all Chinese Temples, so if you don’t have the time to have a look, you’ll be okay. Two cool parts, they have a relic of the Buddha in the underground part of a Temple, his finger bone. There is also a huge Temple you can climb up and get a great view of the city. As Temple complexes go, it’s very well done, lots of photo opportunities. If you have the time, go have a look. See more..
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