Three-day tour of Shanxi.
Three-day itinerary in northern Shanxi
We set off in the morning while it was still raining. There was fog on the road, but the air was excellent. We arrived at the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda in the morning. Its official name is the Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. It is one of the world's tallest and oldest wooden pagodas. It is one of the world's three great pagodas. At noon, we tasted local snacks such as Xiaoxifu Liangfen, Dao Xiao Mian, and meat pies near the scenic area. Then we went to Jingtu Temple. The main hall of the temple, Daxiong Hall, has murals from the Qing Dynasty and a caisson in the Tiangong Building. It is a representative of Jin Dynasty architecture. We drove to Chongfu Temple in Shuozhou. It was built in the second year of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (665 AD) and was built under the order of Duke Wei Chi Jingde of E. Chongfu Temple is an ancient temple with many halls and pavilions. It retains the memory of traditional architecture and the traditional craftsmanship of successive dynasties. It reflects the architectural technology and cultural level of the time. Afterwards, we visited the Wei Chi Jingde Temple and the Mayi Museum. On our way to Dai County, we passed through the north gate of Yanmen Pass and the eighteen bends with steep terrain. In the evening, we tasted the local specialties of Dai County, stewed fish and yellow wine.
The next day, the sky was still drizzling. We went to the south gate of Yanmen Pass and walked up the stone road. Yanmen Pass is named after the mountain. It is strategically located and has the potential to "hold the pass with one man and keep ten thousand at bay". It is an important pass on the Great Wall. It is known for its "danger" and is known as the "First Pass of China". There is a saying that "Yanmen is the first of the nine passes of the world". Yanmen Pass is a strategic location and a major channel for political, economic, and cultural exchanges between the agricultural peoples of the Central Plains and the nomadic peoples of the north. Along the way, we passed Fuguozhai, Guanyindian, Pangu Stone, Zhenbian Temple, Tianxianmen, Yanta, Guanshu, Ningbianlou, and Yanta. The mountaintop was shrouded in clouds and mist. After the rain, it was fresh and elegant. The mind and body were extremely happy and relaxed. In the afternoon, we went to Jinci in Taiyuan. Jinci is the oldest surviving royal sacrificial garden in China. It was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty to commemorate the second son of King Wu of Zhou, Shu Yu. Jinci is not only the ancestral temple of Tang Shu Yu, the founding prince of the Jin Dynasty, and his mother, Yi Jiang, but also a comprehensive carrier of ancient Chinese architectural art. It has buildings from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The attached painted sculptures, murals, and steles are all national treasures. Jinci is known as the "comprehensive carrier of the historical and cultural heritage of the Three Jins" for its rich history and culture and exquisite architecture. The three must-sees of Jinci are the Nanlao Spring, the statue of the maid, and the Zhou Cypress. Listening to the tour guide's explanation, it was worth the trip. In the evening, we stayed near the Zhonglou Pedestrian Street. Dinner was a Taiyuan specialty, jujube-brewed yellow rice, traditional deep-fried pork. We also experienced the modern atmosphere of Taiyuan. The lights were bright at night, and life was colorful.
On the third day, we went to Huiji Temple in Lianjiagang Village, Yuanping City. There is a statue of Cao Gu Gu sitting in the corner of the Manjusri Hall in the temple. The outer part is made of clay, and the inner part is made of real flesh and bone. It is very rare. Although the ancient temple is small, the ancient buildings and clay sculptures are well preserved and have great historical value. Seeing that there was still time, we went to the nearby Tianyashan Scenic Area. It is based on the beautiful and unique natural landscape of Tianyashan and takes the theme of the "loyalty and filial piety" spirit of Jie Zhitui, a historical figure of the Spring and Autumn Period. It organically combines ecological sightseeing tourism with modern cultural experiences. The scenic spots, Tianyashan Charm, Stone Drum Temple, Loyalty and Filial Piety Terrace, and Northland Jiangnan, showcase the beauty of the mountains, the wonder of the stones, and the pavilion and pavilion of the Jiangnan garden style.
The three days of eating, living, traveling, and playing were fulfilling and happy.