Shanxi Pingyao｜6-Day Ancient Architecture Walking Tour, Journey Through a Thousand Years of Buddhist Light

🌿Must-Visit Reason: A millennium-old architectural marvel at a glance! The pinnacle of Chinese ancient architecture is here! 📍Huayan Temple Address: Nansi Street, Datong City 🚌 Transportation Tip: About 2 hours by taxi from Pingyao Ancient City A living fossil of Liao and Jin architecture! The Chiwen on the Mahavira Hall is a full 4.5 meters tall. Remember to walk around the hall three times to find the best angle for upward shots📸 📍Yungang Grottoes Address: Yungang Town, Yungang District, Datong City Northern Wei royal grottoes forever! The outdoor giant Buddha in Cave 20 is textbook material. It’s best to shoot at 4 PM when the light and shadow are most beautiful✨ 📍Xiaoxitian Address: Phoenix Mountain Peak, West of Xixian County The Thousand Buddha Hall’s suspended sculptures are heavenly palaces! Make sure your phone’s wide-angle lens is fully charged for stunning panoramic shots🏮 📍Hanging Temple Address: Southeast suburb of Hunyuan County, foot of Heng Mountain ⚠️ Separate ticket required for climbing! Visit on a weekday morning to avoid afternoon tour groups. The best spot is the opposite plank road to capture the temple’s hanging wonder💫 📍Yingxian Wooden Pagoda Address: Inside Foguang Temple, Yingxian County, Shuozhou City The wooden pagoda’s dougong brackets amazed me! Walking around the pagoda reveals 54 different types of dougong. The Sakyamuni statue on the first floor carries a millennium-old smile🙏 📍Guangsheng Temple Address: 17 km northeast of Hongtong County, south slope of Huoshan Mountain The glazed tiles of Feihong Pagoda change color under sunlight! Bring a telephoto lens to capture the tower’s details. The blue-green glaze is super photogenic🌞 🍜Food Recommendations Pingyao Beef: Guanyun brand is the most authentic! Vacuum-packed as a souvenir Kaolao Lao: Oat noodles rolled and dipped in sour soup, the best at Lao Wang’s on North Street of the ancient city Wantuo: Cold buckwheat noodle dish, perfect with chili oil 💡Tips to Avoid Pitfalls 1. Hanging Temple climbing is limited; arrive before 7 AM in peak season 2. Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is tilted and currently only the first floor is open to visitors 3. Guangsheng Temple is divided into upper and lower temples; Feihong Pagoda is in the upper temple!