If you can't make it to Xi'an, consider a trip to the less-known but equally charming Xinzhou Ancient City

🍀 Xinzhou Ancient City has a history of nearly 1800 years and is known as the 'Key to Northern Shanxi'. It also enjoys the reputation of 'Gathering the essence of nine regions, and standing out with elegant beauty', serving as the political and cultural center of Northern Shanxi as well as a major hub for goods distribution. 📍 Address: Nanguan Street, Xinfu District, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province 🚗 Transportation: About 15 minutes by car from Xinzhou Railway Station. Buses 205 and 304 are available. 🎫 Ticket: Free 📷 Attractions 1. Xiurong Academy: The first educational institution in Xinzhou's history, established in the 40th year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1775 AD). The Xiurong Academy is ingeniously designed according to the natural terrain, with the west side higher than the east, and a line of three pavilions - hexagonal, square, and octagonal - standing tall at the highest point. From the hexagonal pavilion, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the city. 2. Mingyue Tower: Also known as Lingyun Tower. It is said that Li Zicheng, the rebel king, passed through Xinzhou and watched a play in Lingyun Tower. 3. Taishan Temple: Taishan Temples can be found in many places in Shanxi. The one in Xinzhou Ancient City is relatively large, dedicated to the Eastern Mountain God who is in charge of human life and death, as well as wealth and honor. This temple was originally built during the Ming Dynasty and what we see now is an expansion from a later period. 4. God of Wealth Temple: Just 10 meters away from the Taishan Temple is the God of Wealth Temple, also a relatively large Taoist temple, dedicated to Zhao Gongming, the Martial God of Wealth.