Shanxi | I Rarely Describe a Place as Breathtaking

| I rarely describe a place as breathtaking. 🏞️ Going to Shanxi is not just travel, but a journey through thousands of years of civilization to reconnect with your roots‼️ 🏯 Here, you can witness the miracle of mortise and tenon joints that have kept the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda standing for 600 years; the Mahāśrī Goddess of Merit at Shanhua Temple 🙏🏻, lowering her compassionate gaze upon you; on the murals of Yongle Palace, the wind from the flowing robes of immortals seems to brush against your cheeks; the giant Buddha statues in the Yungang Grottoes represent what writer Yu Qiuyu described as "China's stride toward the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty"; the eyes in the palms of the Thousand-Hand Guanyin at Shuanglin Temple 👁️ seem to perceive all suffering in the human world; and the suspended sculptures filling Xixian Little Western Paradise create a heavenly world in the air. 🔭 From the Buddhist light of the Northern Wei Dynasty to the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, every historical site in the Three Jin regions tells a story. 📜 Shanxi travel tips: 1⃣️📆 Best seasons to visit: Spring and autumn (April-June/September-October) to avoid harsh winters and hot summers. 2⃣️🎫 Many ancient buildings are scattered in rural areas, so it's recommended to hire a car or drive yourself. Remember to check opening hours in advance. 3⃣️📸 Bring a telephoto lens to capture the perfect composition of ancient bracket systems and light and shadow. 4⃣️ Do some cultural homework beforehand, or bring Liang Sicheng's "History of Chinese Architecture" 📚 as a guide. 🎞️ Recommended documentaries: "Meeting You in Shanxi," "Crossing the Distance of Time, Following Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin to Explore Ancient Chinese Architecture" series, "Yungang"... 📙 Recommended 5-day itinerary: Day1⃣️ Guandi Temple, Yongle Palace Day2⃣️ Little Western Paradise Day3⃣️ Shuanglin Temple, Guangsheng Temple Day4⃣️ Shanhua Ancient Temple, Huayan Temple, Hanging Temple Day5⃣️ Yungang Grottoes, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda