Jinzhong Three-Day Journey Through the Shanxi Merchants' Legacy

As the birthplace of "China's Wall Street," Jinzhong holds the glorious secrets of the Shanxi merchants spanning 500 years—from the World Cultural Heritage site Pingyao Ancient City, to the "Folk Forbidden City" Wang Family Courtyard, and the ancient village mysteries deep in the Taihang Mountains. This three-day guide takes you from merchant culture to natural wonders, from intangible cultural heritage crafts to authentic Shanxi flavors, immersing you in the dual faces of Jinzhong! Day 1: Pingyao Ancient City · A Timeless Merchant Epic Theme: Stroll the ancient city walls + explore the draft banks + immersive play "See You Again, Pingyao" + night tour of Ming and Qing Street Morning: Pingyao Ancient City Wall · Feel the warmth of history Highlights: Pingyao Ancient City is the best-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty city in China, with a 6.4 km perimeter wall featuring 72 watchtowers and 3,000 battlements, symbolizing Confucius’s 3,000 disciples and 72 sages. Climb the wall to overlook the ancient city’s blue bricks and gray tiles, and experience the mysterious "Turtle City" layout. How to play: Enter from the South Gate: ascend the city wall at "Yingxun Gate," walk to "Lower East Gate," photographing city towers and street scenes along the way; Check in at the lookout: take photos at the watchtower lookout with layers of ancient residences in the background. Tips: Ticket 125 RMB (includes 22 attractions), wall open 8:00-18:00; wear comfortable shoes (some steps are steep). Noon: Pingyao Snacks · Taste the lively spirit of Shanxi merchants Must-try: Pingyao Beef: tender and fresh, recommended at the old brand "Guanyun"; Wantuo: steamed buckwheat noodles served cold with chili oil and vinegar; Kaolao: rolled oat noodles steamed and dipped in lamb sauce. Recommended restaurant: "Tianyuan Kui Restaurant" (South Street branch), about 50 RMB per person, with an antique atmosphere. Afternoon: Rishengchang Draft Bank · The "Founder" of Chinese Banking Evening: Xietongqing Money Shop · Touch the "Underground Treasury" for good fortune How to play: The cellar treasury of Xietongqing Money Shop holds 100,000 taels of "replica silver ingots" you can touch, symbolizing wealth and treasure; inside the cellar is the "Divine Dragon Pillar," said to bring good luck if you circle it three times. Night: "See You Again, Pingyao" · Immersive Time-Travel Drama Highlights: Directed by Wang Chaoge, this immersive theater lets the audience walk and watch, traveling back to late Qing Pingyao, following the "Zhao family young master" as he chooses a wife, escorts a convoy, and performs ancestral rites, experiencing the Shanxi merchants’ spirit of loyalty and sacrifice for the greater good. Tips: Regular ticket 238 RMB, VIP 358 RMB; 90-minute show, enter 30 minutes early (no fixed seats). Night Tour: Ming and Qing Street · Shanxi Merchants’ Night Under the Lights How to play: Browse cultural shops: buy "Pingyao Ancient City" themed bookmarks and fridge magnets; Listen to street ballads: singers perform "Pingyao Journey" on the bar street; Watch the 3D light show: projection show at the city tower at 8:00 PM nightly, turning the ancient city wall into a giant screen. Day 2: Wang Family Courtyard + Zhangbi Ancient Castle · The Folk Forbidden City and the Earth Great Wall Theme: Explore Hongmen Fort + underground castle warfare + intangible heritage red glaze making Morning: Wang Family Courtyard · The awe-inspiring "One Residence of Three Jin" Highlights: Covering 250,000 square meters, 1.5 times larger than the Forbidden City, the Wang Family Courtyard is built on a mountain with two major complexes, "Hongmen Fort" and "Gaojiaya," featuring peak brick, wood, and stone carvings, praised by Liang Sicheng as the "Folk Forbidden City." How to play: Focus on the "Three Carvings": the "Lion Rolling the Embroidered Ball" (for children) on the door lintel, the "Grapes and Hundreds of Children" (for many children and blessings) on the window lattice; Climb to the top of Hongmen Fort: overlook the entire courtyard complex, like a giant dragon coiled in the mountains. Tips: Ticket 55 RMB, guided tour 100 RMB (group tours recommended); 1-hour drive from Pingyao, opens at 8 AM with fewer visitors. Noon: Jingsheng Ancient Town · Eat "Hudu" with pickled vegetables Recommended: "Old Wang Family Restaurant" near Wang Family Courtyard, must order: Hudu: thick porridge made from cornmeal and potatoes, dipped in pickled vegetables or chili oil; Guoyou Meat: a famous Jinzhong dish, tender pork slices with wood ear mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Afternoon: Zhangbi Ancient Castle · Earth Fortress Above Ground + Sui-Tang Military Tunnel Below Highlights: Zhangbi Ancient Castle is a miracle combining "Chinese military fortress and astronomical village," with Ming and Qing courtyards above ground and a 3-km-long Sui-Tang military tunnel underground (for passage, troop stationing, and ventilation). How to play: Explore the military tunnel: hold a lantern and enter the tunnel to see soldier hiding spots, wells, and air vents; Find the astronomical village: 28 constellations correspond to 28 courtyards, e.g., "Heart Mansion" corresponds to "Jia Family Courtyard." Tips: Ticket 60 RMB, tunnels are damp, bring a flashlight (rentals available); 30-minute drive from Wang Family Courtyard. Evening: Jiexiu Glass Factory · Make your own "Red and Green Glaze" How to play: Jiexiu is the "Hometown of Chinese Glass," where you can: Shape glass: make small beasts and tile ends from clay (120 RMB/person); Watch masters fire the kiln: see how "red and green glaze" glass transforms from clay into colorful objects. Tips: Experience requires advance booking; finished products can be mailed. Day 3: Taihang Mountains and Shanxi Merchant Folk Customs · Switching Between Nature and Culture Theme: Mianshan Cloud Sea Hiking + Chang Family Manor Confucian Merchant Culture + Yuci Old Town Night Photography Morning: Mianshan Scenic Area · Origin of Qingming Festival and Cliffside Ancient Temples Highlights: Mianshan is the origin of the Cold Food Festival (the day before Qingming), famous for Jie Zitui’s "cutting flesh to feed his lord." The scenic area includes three major zones: Daluo Palace, Tianqiao, and Shuitaogou, combining Taoist culture and natural wonders. How to play: Climb Daluo Palace: a 13-story Taoist palace built on the mountain, known as the "Potala Palace of China"; Walk the Tianqiao plank road: a wooden plank road suspended on a cliff, with a deep abyss below, thrilling and exciting. Tips: Ticket 110 RMB, sightseeing bus 50 RMB; wear non-slip shoes, enter at 7 AM to avoid crowds. Noon: Mianshan Vegetarian Feast · Enjoy the "Buddhist Full Course" Recommended: "Vegetarian Restaurant" inside Daluo Palace, must order: Arhat Noodles: hand-pulled noodles in mushroom broth, light and delicious; Vegetarian Roast Goose: tofu skin wrapped vegetables, crispy outside and tender inside. Afternoon: Chang Family Manor · The "Little Jiangnan" of Confucian Merchants Highlights: Chang Family Manor is the residence of the Shanxi merchant Chang family, covering 120,000 square meters, centered on "Confucian merchant culture." The garden features "Apricot Forest," "Lion Garden," and "Viewing Grain Pavilion," blending the elegance of Jiangnan gardens with the grandeur of northern courtyards. How to play: Photograph the "Hundred Lions Painting": 100 stone-carved lions in various poses on the railings; See the "Screen Wall Calligraphy": the words "Learn to Suffer Loss" on the screen wall reflect the Shanxi merchants’ philosophy of "valuing harmony in business." Tips: Ticket 60 RMB, 1-hour drive from Mianshan; Hanfu rental for photos available inside (50 RMB/hour). Evening: Yuci Old Town · Experience a Millennium of Local Life How to play: Visit the county government office: watch the live "Three Hall Trial" performance (3:00 PM/7:00 PM); Photograph the City God Temple: red walls and green tiles with sunset, perfect for ancient-style photos; Eat "Yuci Guanchang": steamed buckwheat noodles served cold with garlic vinegar sauce. Tips: Yuci Old Town ticket 60 RMB, 30 minutes from Taiyuan Airport, ideal for a stopover before departure. Transportation and Accommodation Guide 1. Transportation Long-distance: Flight: Taiyuan Wusu Airport → Jinzhong (about 40 minutes by taxi, or take the airport shuttle to Yuci District); Train: Jinzhong Station/Yuci Station (high-speed rail), Jinzhong Station is 1 hour by car from Pingyao Ancient City. Local transport: Attractions are scattered; car rental with driver (about 800 RMB/3 days) or self-driving recommended; no vehicles allowed inside Pingyao Ancient City, walking or electric carts (10 RMB/trip) required. 2. Accommodation Pingyao Ancient City: Inside the ancient city: "Deshenglou Inn" (Ming and Qing courtyard, 300-600 RMB/night); Outside the city: "See You Again Wenhua Hotel" (5-minute walk to the city, 500-800 RMB/night). Near Wang Family Courtyard: "Jingsheng Ancient Town Homestay" (200-400 RMB/night), experience Jinzhong residential life. Which Jinzhong attraction amazed you the most? Was it Pingyao’s night, Wang Family’s carvings, or Zhangbi’s tunnels? Share your stories in the comments and let’s cheer for Jinzhong together!