Ten-Day Ancient Architecture Trip in Shanxi

My parents have always had a special fondness for Shanxi. My uncle is also an expert in ancient architecture. It is only right to honor our elders, so my sister and I set off with a Buick GL8 for exactly six people. We didn't seek fine food or luxurious lodging, only the happiness and comfort of the elderly. Thank Heaven for the arrangement: good weather when we left Xi'an, then bad weather after we left; good weather most of the time in Shanxi, and after we returned, floods hit Shanxi. Kindness is surely blessed by heaven.

After finishing the trip, I felt proud to be Chinese. Without experiencing it, one cannot understand the former glory of Chinese architectural art.

The more remote, the more miraculous.

Commercialization is indeed a scourge. We must not let it lead us astray. I believe culture is the true inheritance.

Most disappointing attractions: Hanging Temple, Pingyao Ancient City

Most stunning attractions: Chongfu Temple, Xiaoxitian, Shuanglin Temple

Largest private attraction: Xiezhou Guandi Temple

Most strictly managed attraction: Datong Shanhua Temple

Quietest attraction: Hunyuan Yongan Temple

Most uncomfortable attraction: Mount Wutai Taihuai Town

In 2021, Shanghai ID cards gave free admission to every attraction, and all four elderly were over 65, so we basically saved on ticket costs (except Yanmen Pass).

Estimated daily per person cost: 70 for accommodation + 50 for meals + 150 for car rental and fuel/road fees

We visited the following attractions:

Day 1: Ruicheng Yongle Palace, Guangrenwang Temple, Xiezhou Guandi Temple, Wanrong Dongyue Temple. Stayed in Jishan County.

Day 2: Jishan Jiwang Temple, Hongtong Guangsheng Temple, Pingyao Shuanglin Temple. Stayed in Pingyao Ancient City.

Day 3: Pingyao Ancient City, Pingyao Zhenguo Temple, Qiao Family Compound. Stayed in Shuozhou City.

Day 4: Shuozhou Chongfu Temple, Yungang Grottoes, Datong Huayan Temple. Stayed in Datong City.

Day 5: Datong Shanhua Temple, Hunyuan Yongan Temple, Hengshan Hanging Temple, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. Stayed in Daixian.

Day 6: Daixian Bianjing Tower, Yanmen Pass Scenic Area, Mount Wutai Foguang Temple, Mount Wutai Guanghua Temple. Stayed in Mount Wutai Taihuai Town.

Day 7: Mount Wutai North Peak, Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, Wutai County Nanchan Temple. Stayed in Taiyuan City.

Day 8: Yuci Old Town, Taiyuan Jinci Temple, Pingyao Shuanglin Temple. Stayed in Jiexiu City.

Day 9: Jiexiu Houtu Temple, Xianshen Tower, Xixian Xiaoxitian, Shaanxi Hukou Waterfall (Shanxi scenic area temporarily closed). Stayed in Hancheng Ancient City.

Day 9: Hancheng Ancient City, return journey.

Mount Wutai Foguang Temple

Mount Wutai Guanghua Temple

Mount Wutai North Peak

Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple

Wutai County Nanchan Temple