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TravelTips24 : Asia : East Asia : China : Northern Central Region : Shanxi

Shanxi

See also Shaanxi, a neighboring province.

Shanxi (山西) is a province in Northern Central Region of China.

Regions

Cities

Other destinations

Culture and History

Shanxi Province, whose name means 'land west of the Taihang Mountain', lies in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and on the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau. The Yellow, Haihe, and Fenhe rivers flow across Shanxi, whose splendid landscape is graced by the celebrated Taihang and Liliang ranges and Hengshan and Wutai mountains. Most parts of the land are more than 1,000 meters above sea level. Shanxi's long history is traced back to the days when it was a major cradle of Chinese civilization. In remote antiquity, southern Shanxi was the domain of three legendary kings - Yao (capital: Pingyuan or present day Linfen), Shen (capital: Puban or present day Yongji) and Yu (capital: Anyi or present day XiaXian County). A rich cultural heritage mixes with natural wonders to form Shanxi's bustling tourist scene. Datong, Pingyao, Daixian, Qixian and Xinjiang are famous historical and cultural cities. Pingyao is on the UNESCO's world cultural heritage list.

Talk

Travel to Shanxi & Visa Requirements

Tours & Getting around Shanxi

Shanxi attractions and sightseeing

Datong

  • Mount Hengshan (Northern Holy Mountain)
  • The Outer Wall of Shanxi - portion of the Great Wall of China - Li'erkou to Deshengbu, Juqiangbu to Laoniuwan, and along the Yellow River
  • Wooden Pagoda(Mu Ta)
  • Xuankong (Overhanging) Monastery
  • Yungang Grottoes

Linfen

  • Folklore Museum - located at Dingcun village in Xiangfen
  • Guangsheng Temple
  • Hukou Waterfall - located in Jixian County

Mount Wutai

  • The Inner Wall of Shanxi - portion of the Great Wall of China - Yanmenguan, Guangwu Old City, Ningwu Pass and Niangziguan

Taiyuan

  • Ancient City of Pingyao - at one time, financial center of all China
  • Folklore Museum - located at Qiaojiabao
  • Jinci Temple - located 25 km SW of Taiyuan
  • Qiao Family Courtyard House - site where movie, 'Raise the Red Lantern', was filmed, 40 km SW of Taiyuan
  • Shuanglin Temple
  • Tianlong Mountain
  • Twin Pagoda Temple
  • Xinghua (Apple Blossom) village - liquor distilling center
  • Xuanzhong Monastery
  • Zhengao Temple

Yuncheng

  • Ancestral Temple of Lord Guan at Changping - Haizhou
  • Temple of Lord Guan - Haizhou
  • Yuan-dynasty Halls and Frescos at Yongle Palace - Ruicheng County (Moved from Yongji in 1950s.)
  • Temple of Lord Guangren - Ruicheng County (One of the only 4 original Tang-dynasty wooden structures in China.)

Shanxi city tours

Yao Miao 尧庙 The Yao Temple is a must-see for anyone passing through Linfen. An impressive-sized temple seen from miles around, it also boasts the biggest door in the world also known as Hua Men. The temple and its dozens of museums are open to visitors all day and is surrounded by a carnival-like atmosphere at night. Entrance to the temple itself costs about 40 yuan (about $6).

Shanxi Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Shanxi nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Stay safe

Get out

This page was last edited at 14:23, on 1 October 2008 by David. Based on work by ???, Andreas Meyer, M. Hogue, Simone Bravo and Evan Prodromou, Wikitravel user(s) Episteme, Pippo and Pashley and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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