Three-Day Fun Guide to Datong and Jinzhong, Shanxi!

Hey guys, this trip to Shanxi is totally worth it! Three days and two nights to let you experience the charm of history and the beauty of ancient architecture. Preparation Documents: ID card, student ID (for discounts). Clothing: Shanxi has a big temperature difference between day and night, bring a thick jacket and comfortable sneakers for walking. Items: Power bank, sunscreen, water bottle. Itinerary Day 1: Datong Ancient Architecture Tour Huayan Temple: Come here in the morning. It was a royal temple during the Liao and Jin dynasties, with majestic halls and exquisite statues. The Five Direction Buddhas and the Twenty Heavenly Kings in the Mahavira Hall are lifelike. Shanhua Temple: Stroll over to Shanhua Temple, the largest and most complete Liao and Jin dynasty building still standing in China. The intricate structure of Puxian Pavilion makes you admire the wisdom of the ancients. Yungang Grottoes: Take a bus in the afternoon to the Yungang Grottoes, one of China’s four great grottoes. The Buddha statues vary in size and expression. The Three Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future in Cave 5 are 17 meters tall and leave you speechless. Hanging Temple: Set off early to the Hanging Temple, which looks like it’s embedded in the cliff and is fully supported by wooden structures. Walking on it makes your heart skip a beat. Hunyuan Ancient City: Arrive at Hunyuan Ancient City at noon and try the local cold noodles, which are chewy and refreshing. The murals in Yong’an Temple inside the ancient city are exquisitely beautiful. Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: In the afternoon, visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in Shuozhou. It’s an all-wood structure with no nails, standing firm through thousands of years of wind and rain. Day 3: Jinzhong Ancient Charm Tour Pingyao Ancient City: Take the high-speed train to Pingyao. As soon as you get off, it feels like traveling back in time. Ming and Qing Street is full of quaint, traditional shops. Shuanglin Temple: Visit Shuanglin Temple in the afternoon, a treasure trove of polychrome sculpture art. Every Buddha statue is vivid, as if telling historical stories. Food Recommendations Datong knife-cut noodles, lamb offal noodles, Pingyao beef, and Wantuo (a local snack). Accommodation Suggestions Stay near the ancient cities in Datong and Pingyao for convenient travel and to enjoy the night scenery. Shanxi is truly charming, guys, go for it with confidence! For more hidden gems, check out my profile~