Hidden Gems Places To Visit in Shanxi, China

1. 5.0 Wuguantun Grotto (59 reviews)
   - It's awesome but keep in mind that Yungang Grotto and Wuguantun Grotto are one place ;)
   Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Caverns & Caves
   
   
   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 Shanxi Museum (96 reviews)
   - Impressive Museum
   Monday: Speciality Museums
   
   
   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..
   
3. 4.5 Ping Yao Temple of the City God (87 reviews)
   - Best temple in Pingyao
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   It is probably the main highlight to visit in Pingyao. Quiet place if you want to escape the crowded Pingyao. See more..
   
4. 4.5 Mengshan Mountain Buddha (60 reviews)
   - Nice spot to visit
   Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
   
   
   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..
   
5. 4.5 Huangcheng Prime Minister's Mansion (54 reviews)
   - Over 700 metres above sea level
   Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM Architectural Buildings
   
   
   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..
   
6. 4.5 Ming and Qing Dynasties Street (46 reviews)
   - Ancient streets
   Historic Sites
   
   
   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..
   
7. 4.5 Yingze Park (46 reviews)
   - Beautiful Oasis in the City
   Parks
   
   
   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..
   
8. 4.5 Xinzhou Successive Great Wall (40 reviews)
   - 踏入长城
   Historic Sites
   
   
   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..
   
9. 4.5 Pingyao County Government Museum (36 reviews)
   - Fascinating place
   Monday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM History Museums
   
   
   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..
   
10. 4.5 Shanhua Monastery (36 reviews)
    - Good experience
    Monday: 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites
    
    
    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..
    
11. 4.5 Chang Family Compound (36 reviews)
    - Ought to be better known!
    Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
    
    
    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..
    
12. 4.5 Jinci Museum (32 reviews)
    - This is ancient China!
    Speciality Museums
    
    
    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..
    
13. 4.5 Xietongqing Unincorporated Bank Museum (30 reviews)
    - Fascinating site
    Speciality Museums
    
    
    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..
    
14. 4.5 Zhenguo Temple (29 reviews)
    - This is an undiscovered gem
    Religious Sites
    
    
    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..
    
15. 4.5 Great Wall-Yanmenguan Section (20 reviews)
    - The pass is rebuilt and new, but there is an earth wall north of it
    Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites
    
    
    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..
    
16. 4.5 Luya Mountain (20 reviews)
    - Luyashan Ice cave
    Monday: 7:55 AM - 5:02 PM Mountains
    
    
    A wonderful experience. The fact that one can step into the cave from 20 degrees Celsius and find a miraculous world of icicles and stalagmites makes this one of the most interesting places in China and the world See more..
    

What's a Hidden gem?

We call places hidden gems that are new, extremely good, but are not that popular yet - you should check them out. The criteria is to have a rating of 4.5 or more and more than 20 reviews and less than 100 reviews.