Top 50 Best Things to Do in Shanxi
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Top 50 Best Things to Do in Shanxi

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Yungang Grottoestop_1
    󰺂8.9
    24.5
    Datong>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    Stroll through the grottoes and explore Forty Caves
    59,000+ stone sculptures inside caves
    󱨠Saved by 845 users󱨠24628 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    不帅不酷又矮没钱的大叔不帅不酷又矮没钱的大叔

    Yungang Grottoes are not far from Datong, so the route is quite convenient! Currently, it's the off-season, so some grottoes are under renovation. If you don't have a particular passion for any one grotto, I actually think visiting during the off-season is more pleasant, as there are far fewer tourists, parking is easier, and the overall experience is more comfortable! As one of the four major grottoes in China, it is indeed a very impressive attraction, highly recommended!

  • Jinci Museumtop_2
    󰺂8.6
    19.6
    Taiyuan.Taiyuan Ancient County/Jinci Temple73.1 km from downtown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Growing Buddhist Relics Tower overlooking Jinci's panorama
    󱨜Jinci's Three Treasures showcase ancient architectural charm
    󱨠Saved by 151 users󱨠11316 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    M24***99M24***99

    Three national treasure buildings 👍🏻: The Holy Mother Hall is a precious architectural masterpiece from the Northern Song Dynasty, the Fish Pond Flying Bridge is a cross-shaped ancient bridge, and the Offering Hall is a Jin Dynasty building. The Zhou Cypress, which is over 3,000 years old, along with the Nanlao Spring and the Maiden Statues, are known as the "Three Wonders of Jinci".

  • The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Areatop_3
    󰺂8.6
    22.05
    Ji County.Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󱓊Spring & fall thunderous waterfall
    󱓊See the Thundering Falls in spring and fall
    󱨠Saved by 157 users󱨠13308 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    136***71136***71

    Only by experiencing Hukou Waterfall in person can one truly appreciate the awe-inspiring power of the Yellow River's roar! The surging, turbid waves plunge into the deep pool like a thousand horses, their thunderous roar echoing through the sky, while the spray brings a refreshing coolness. A rainbow arches against the backdrop of the raging torrents, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The scenic area's viewing platforms are well-designed, offering multiple angles to appreciate the waterfall's majestic grandeur. This is a baptism of nature's power, a direct display of national spirit—an unforgettable experience!

  • Pingyao Ancient City
    4
    󰺂8.5
    29.4
    Pingyao.Inside Pingyao Ancient City29.2 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoDiscover the Filming Locations of "The Great Businessmen" in Pingyao Ancient City
    trip best small logoAchieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Enjoy stunning sunset views from the city wall in the evening
    󰀆World-class photography exhibition
    󱨠Saved by 497 users󱨠13827 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    行走的北风W行走的北风W

    This time I visited 13 attractions included in the combined ticket, and adding to the 9 from last time, I've now visited all 22. Very satisfying. Ancient architecture, Shanxi merchant culture,镖局 (armed escort agency) culture… Pingyao Ancient City is truly a wonderful place.

  • Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
    5
    󰺂8.4
    11.76
    Ying County>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊11-foot Buddha statue inside
    Panoramic views of nature & history
    󱨠Saved by 150 users󱨠15087 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    不帅不酷又矮没钱的大叔不帅不酷又矮没钱的大叔

    Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, one of the three great pagodas of the world alongside the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, boasts a history of over 1500 years. However, its geographical location makes it relatively less visited by tourists. Frankly, when I arrived at Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, I didn't think it was particularly worthwhile because it was slowly tilting, so it wasn't open to the public. It wasn't until I visited the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda exhibition hall at the Shanxi Museum that I realized how absolutely stunning it would be if we could go inside! Therefore, I highly recommend that anyone planning a trip to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda also visit the exhibition hall at the Shanxi Museum. Combining the two visits will give you a more complete understanding of the pagoda!

  • Xuankong Temple
    6
    󰺂8.4
    7.11
    Hunyuan>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoExperience the awe-inspiring heights of Xuankong Temple
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2025 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    Admire Exquisite Wood Carved Murals Along the Plank Road
    󰋄Cliffside's breathtaking architecture
    󱨠Saved by 784 users󱨠7546 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Reliable platform to book. Everything goes as planned. Highly recommended.

  • Little Western Paradise
    7
    󰺂8.2
    8.58
    Xi County>100 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰋄Check out Black Myth: Wukong
    󰀆Ancient Zen temple from Ming
    󱨠3961 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    M36***25M36***25

    The best time to go is in the morning, when the light is best. If you go in the afternoon, the weather needs to be good enough. Inside the magnificent main hall, which uses 14 kilograms of gold, I spent over an hour looking up repeatedly. My neck pain is almost cured! Aside from the main hall, the rest of the hall isn't particularly impressive. A slight drawback is that the security guards kept reminding everyone to leave quickly, which is understandable given the sheer number of people. I imagine there will be fewer people in winter when it's cold, allowing for a quieter contemplation and communion with the thousand Buddhas across time. Once you're there, you'll know it was worth the trip; it's truly breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking.

  • Yanmenguan
    8
    󰺂8.0
    13.48
    Dai County>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shanxi
    Highlights:
    󱓊Yang Family's legendary statue
    󰋄Walk ancient Great Wall path
    󱨠5040 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    MarsMarMarsMar

    Yanmen Pass is definitely worth a visit. I visited the Badaling Great Wall many years ago, and the experience was different. The day I went, the fog was quite thick, so visibility was limited. Also, I arrived rather late, so I didn't explore too far, but the early winter scenery was still beautiful. The difficulty of the climb further highlights the hardships endured by the ancient soldiers, and it makes one marvel at the wisdom of the ancients in building this magnificent pass.

  • Wutai Mountain
    9
    󰺂8.0
    11.52
    Wutai.Wuye Temple>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Spring Outings
    Highlights:
    󱓊Pilgrimage to five unique peaks
    󰀆Panoramic view of Mount Wutai
    󱨠Saved by 134 users󱨠5484 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    酷酷的哈士奇酷酷的哈士奇

    The scenery is nice and the bus is very convenient, good reviews! But the consumption level in the scenic area is a bit high, especially in some farmhouse restaurants, where two people can eat more than 100 yuan, while other places in the mountains only cost dozens of yuan.

  • The Qiao Family Courtyard 
    10
    󰺂7.9
    28.17
    Qi County.Qiao Family Courtyard54.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoThe Qiao Family Courtyard is back in session, with integrity and aesthetics classes waiting for you
    Highlights:
    󰋄Exquisite wood & stone carvings
    󱓊200-year-old Jin merchant architecture
    󱨠8939 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    136***19136***19

    When visiting Shanxi, a trip to Jinzhong is incomplete without a visit to the Qiao Family Compound. However, the ticket price is not very friendly and is generally quite expensive. But strolling around the compound is still a worthwhile experience!

Best things to do in Shanxi (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Shanxi? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Shanxi offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Shanxi

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Shanxi experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Yungang Grottoes

• Datong | >100 km from downtown

• : Stroll through the grottoes and explore Forty Caves,59,000+ stone sculptures inside caves

Jinci Museum

• Taiyuan.Taiyuan Ancient County/Jinci Temple | 73.1 km from downtown

• : Growing Buddhist Relics Tower overlooking Jinci's panorama,Jinci's Three Treasures showcase ancient architectural charm

The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area

• Ji County.Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area | >100 km from downtown

• : Spring & fall thunderous waterfall,See the Thundering Falls in spring and fall

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Shanxi

If you want to explore attractions just outside Shanxi, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Shanxi, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Shanxi special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Shanxi

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Shanxi

Ready to explore the best of Shanxi? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Shanxi?
These are all Best Things to Do in Shanxi:Yungang Grottoes, Jinci Museum, The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area, Pingyao Ancient City, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Shanxi?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Shanxi include:Yungang Grottoes:4.8, Jinci Museum:4.8, The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area:4.7, Pingyao Ancient City:4.6, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda:4.8
At what locations in Shanxi can Best Things to Do in Shanxi be found?
The Best Things to Do in Shanxi are mainly located in:Yungang Grottoes:Datong, Jinci Museum:Taiyuan, The Hukou Waterfall Scenic Area:Ji County, Pingyao Ancient City:Pingyao, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda:Ying County
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