Shanxi Province Attractions

Hougou Ancient Village in Shanxi
The little hamlet --Hougou Ancient Village (population 70) was designated as a model of ancient village worth saving and protecting. Feng Jicai, Vice Chairman of Chinese Art and Literary Association came here personally to unveil the plaque. Recognized as a gem of Chinese farming culture, the vil...
The little hamlet --Hougou Ancient Village (population 70) was designated as a model of ancient village worth saving and protecting. Feng Jicai, Vice Chairman of Chinese Art and Literary Association came here personally to unveil the plaque. Recognized as a gem of Chinese farming culture, the village has now become the focus of public attention.
Ancient village is the concrete expression of Chinese farming culture for thousands of years, and Hougou Ancient Village is the representative of Shanxi ancient villages and the typical works of traditional and characteristic architecture in Shanxi Province. Through analyzing the present situation of and prevention measures for Hougou Ancient Village, and connecting with local environment and architecture factors, this paper advances the basic principles of the protection of Hougou Ancient Village.
How to get there :
Hiring a car one hour drive from Taiyuan downtown to Hougou village.
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Shanxi Province Articles

Datong Hanging Temple Unavailable for Rocks Fall
Due to the constant rainfall, Hanging Temple, a historic artifact under state protection, is not available for visitors who appreciate it from a distance.
...Due to the constant rainfall, Hanging Temple, a historic artifact under state protection, is not available for visitors who appreciate it from a distance.
It is reported that the continuing rainfall in recent days has contributed to rock fall on decorative animal sculptures in the drum tower of Hanging Temple on National Holiday in 2015 (the first day of October) of China. For the visitors’ safety, officials of Mt. Heng Scenic Spot Management Commission decide to close it temporarily. Tourists have to buy special tickets to look at the view from the small plaza but cannot go to the temple. The date of reopening will be around 1 May 2016.
Hanging Temple was erected in late North Wei Dynasty standing in the western side of the entrance of Mountain Heng Hunyuan county Shanxi Province. With about 50 meters high above the ground, it is considered the oldest wood-structure building in the world.
We have been there yesterday (13th March 2016 ) and it was covered by scaffold totally . So we think it is not necssary to come here to have a look it anymore .
You are welcome to contact me to know the latest news of Hanging Temple .
(Nancy email address : [email protected])

Villagers busy making Matang as Chinese Spring Festival approaches
A villager tries to tear syrup to make Matang, a type of handmade candy.
As the traditional Chinese Spring Festival approaches, villagers here are busy with making Matang, a candy mainly made of rice.

Shanxi Villagers make flowery cakes to embrace Spring Festival
The twelfth lunar month 29, steamed Steamed Buns. Before the Spring Festival, every family has Steamed Buns steaming is a custom in Zibo. Now, in the countryside still retains this custom.
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The twelfth lunar month 29, steamed Steamed Buns. Before the Spring Festival, every family has Steamed Buns steaming is a custom in Zibo. Now, in the countryside still retains this custom.
The twelfth lunar month 29 the Steamed Buns must be steamed, but this family 'face'.
Childhood home steamed buns are a large cauldron was used, "with a wood burning pot steamed bread exceptionally fragrant, some close to the pot of steamed bread can be burnt. A lift the lid, reeky fragrant smell blowing. Take a steamed bread two or three to eat
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Top Shanxi Province Tours

Pingyao Highlights Walking Tour
Pingyao Highlights Walking Day Tour
With our guide to know the Ancient Pingyao better!
Our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:00 or 08:30, then show you the ticket office to get the ticket for the museums we will visit later.
...Read morePingyao Highlights Walking Day Tour
With our guide to know the Ancient Pingyao better!
Our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:00 or 08:30, then show you the ticket office to get the ticket for the museums we will visit later.
First we will visit the 700 years old City wall, We will climb up from south gate and have a walk on the wall. We are not sure how many km we can walk, because of the renovating of the wall. Normally we will walk from south gate to the Yunlu Exit.
Then visit the Confucius temple, there is a old building named Dacheng Hall which is over 840 years old. From outside, we can see the big wood joints to lift the big roof around the building which is named Dougong. Due to this design, there are less columns inside the hall for giving the big space for the statues and the prayer. We have chance to see the Confucius statue and learn the philosophy of Confucius. If you like, you can pray for you and your children to get better study.
There is the Paper Cutting master named Wentao nearby the exit of Confucius temple. She is very smart and create the new style paper cutting with much more details and good wishes on it. Her products are made by hanks. It is worth to visit and buy as a souvenir from Pingyao. From the table standing and wall hangings. Please remember, take the red one because of red is the traditional and happy color. But the white one is the best. It is really difficult to choose, because of all of them are really nice.
Then you can have coffee break or tea break if you need at Chummy coffee, after this, visit the City god temple (ChenghuangMiao) which is most beautiful temple inside the wall. Because of the roof is covered by the colorful glazed tiles. There is not only city god and also the three money gods, Now you know why pingyao was the financial center.
Next we will visit the Ancient government building, to see the pingyao politics center in the ancient time. It is the complete building with officials bed room, kitchen and private garden. Follow the guide to look the official’s life from the 250km far away from the hometown.
Have a stroll in the alley to the Rishengchang exchange bank, which is the first bank all of china.You can not miss it.
After lunch, walk to the Ming and Qing street, this is the shopping street full of the stores on the both side of street. You can find alot things here , from post card to lacquered boxes, and wall panels. One more place to see, it is the Armed escort agency also named security and transport service for the business man before the bank founded.
Inlcusions
1.private english speaking tour guide servcie
2.bottle water for the tour

7 Days Shanxi Highlights tour
Day 01 Arrival in Datong (no meal)
Arrival in Datong by train or bus in the evening, be picked up and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02 Datong (B, L)
Visit the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site – Yungang Grottoes. Then proceed to ancient Huayan Temple of Liao and Jin Dynasty and Nine Dragon Screen.
Day 03 Datong – Mount Wutai (B, L)
Drive to visit Hanging Temple, Wooden Pagoda at Ying County, which is the oldest existent fully wooden pagoda still standing in China, first built in 1056. Overnight at Wutaishan city....Read more
Day 01 Arrival in Datong (no meal)
Arrival in Datong by train or bus in the evening, be picked up and transferred to the hotel.
Day 02 Datong (B, L)
Visit the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site – Yungang Grottoes. Then proceed to ancient Huayan Temple of Liao and Jin Dynasty and Nine Dragon Screen.
Day 03 Datong – Mount Wutai (B, L)
Drive to visit Hanging Temple, Wooden Pagoda at Ying County, which is the oldest existent fully wooden pagoda still standing in China, first built in 1056. Overnight at Wutaishan city.
Day 04 Mount Wutai – Taiyuan (B, L)
Half day tour to Mount Wutai, one of the four holy mountains for Buddhists in China, you will tour the Xiantong Temple, Pusading Temple and Tayuan Temple. After lunch, drive 4 hours to Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi Province.
Day 05 Taiyuan - Pingyao (B, L)
After breakfast, transfer to visit Jinci Temple, which was founded about 1,400 years ago, boasting a diverse collection of more than 100 sculptures, buildings, terraces, and bridges. Then proceed to Pingyao, you will visit Qiao Family Compound and Double Forest Temple before checking into the hotel.
Day 06 Pingyao (B, L)
Explore the old town of Pingyao escorted by your guide, including the visits to the city wall, Rishengchang Draft Bank and Ming and Qing Street. Free time at the rest of the day.
Day 07 Pingyao – Taiyuan departure (B)
Drive to Taiyuan, and board the flight or train to your next destination.
End of service.

3 Hours Cycling Tour to Shuanglin Temple
Enjoy the different experience to see the Pingyao and the Shuanglin Temple
Our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:00 or 08:30, then show you the bicycle store to choose the bikes.
...Read moreEnjoy the different experience to see the Pingyao and the Shuanglin Temple
Our guide will meet you at your hotel lobby at 08:00 or 08:30, then show you the bicycle store to choose the bikes.
First, we will ride to the north gate, we will take the pictures of the wall from outside of the wall on the way, we will visit the farmer’s morning market nearby the north gate. We will get into the old city from north gate, ride to the alleys to see the local residences which are occupied by the local people, our guide will explain the history of the building and carving.
Then we will ride to the Shuanglin temple which is about 8km far away from the old city, will spend 40 minutes on the riding. Shuanglin temple is listed by the UNESCO since from 1997. Because of the over 10,000 colorful buddha sculptures from Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty. It is valuable to visit if you come to Pingyao. We will spend the 40 minutes to visit, to learn the history and philosophy of the Buddha.
20 minutes for the break, drinking some water and take the snacks.
Back to ancient city on the same way, we will visit the south gate park and square, ride along the moat, get into the old city from south gate, and return the bikes back to the store. We will finish the tour there.
Inclusions:
1. Bicycle for the tour
2. Private english speaking tour guide
3. Entrance fee of the Shaunglin Temple.




