14 Days Shanxi Itinerary

14 Days Shanxi Travel Itinerary

Shanxi is the cradle of Chinese civilization, with a long history and a gathering of talents. The province is renowned for its dramatic landscapes and abundant historical sites, boasting the largest number of pre-Yuan dynasty wooden structures in the country, the most densely clustered properties on the World Cultural Heritage Tentative List, and diverse cultural remains spanning five thousand years of history. If you have fourteen days to explore Shanxi, how can you make the most of your time and fully experience its allure? This guide will provide you with a detailed itinerary for an unforgettable two-week trip, ensuring that you can explore Shanxi to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

14 Days Shanxi Itinerary for Family with Kids

Mount Wutai

Day 1: Arrive in Taiyuan and check into your hotel. Enjoy some free time to explore the beauty of Shanxi, and walk around Taiyuan's snack streets in search of local delicacies.

Day 2: In the morning, your first stop is the Shanxi Museum, where you can learn about 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Then visit the Jinci Temple in the afternoon, and then walk or cycle along the Fen River under the dusk.

Day 3: In the morning, head to the Mount Wutai, offer your incense at the Wuye Temple, then explore the temples on Pusa Top. In the evening, the nightscape at Guanghua Temple is well worth watching.

Day 4: After a good night's rest, step onto the Dailuo Peak, enjoying panoramic views of the surroundings and have a small pilgrimage. Head to Hunyuan County in the evening.

Day 5: Visit the Xuankong Temple, marveling at the amazing ancient architecture. Then, continue to explore the Mount Hengshan to experience the grandeur of nature.

Day 6: Arrive in Datong and visit the Yungang Grottoes, then explore the Ancient City of Datong. In the evening, you can enjoy at Datong Ever Bright Town.

Day 7: Head to Yingxian County and visit the Pagoda of Fogong Temple. In the afternoon you will arrive in Xinzhou Ancient City, and watch the iron flower heating in the evening.

Day 8: Walk around the ancient city, then enjoy the hot spring at Yunzhong River Tourist Resort. In the evening, turn back to Taiyuan.

Day 9: Take a train to Linfen and watch Hukou Waterfall, feeling the boundless power of the Yellow River and the pulse of life that it embodies.

Day 10: Head to the Yunqiu Mountain to explore the perennial ice cave, and then watch a traditional shadow puppet show and distinctive folk performances in the ancient village.

Day 11: Take a bus to Changzhi City and hike in the Baquan Gorge, experience the natural landscape of the Taihang Mountains.

Day 12: Arrive in the Ancient City of Pingyao to visit the Shuanglin Temple, and then the Wang Family Courtyard. After that, return to the ancient city and watch the performance of Impression Pingyao in the evening.

Day 13: You can stroll around the city to watch the show that recreates the Yamen judge the case and enjoy local meals, and then head to the Qiao Family Courtyard. In the evening, return to Taiyuan and take photos with Taiyuan's landmark, Yongzuo Temple.

Day 14: In the last day you can leave for the Taiyuan Oriental Heritage and enjoy a nice day with its recreation facilities filling with Chinese traditional culture.

14 Days Shanxi Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Pace

Wang Family Courtyard

Day 1: After arriving in Taiyuan, check in at your hotel and take a rest. Once refreshed, you can walk out and take photos with Taiyuan's landmark, Yongzuo Temple. In the evening, you can also stroll around night markets or wander along the Fen River.

Day 2: Take a train to Linfen and view the Hukou Waterfall, feeling the boundless power of the Yellow River and the pulse of life that it embodies.

Day 3: Head to the Ancient City of Pingyao, with stops along the way at the Wang Family Courtyard and the Shuanglin Temple. After arriving in the old town, check into your hotel to rest, then enjoy the evening performance Impression Pingyao.

Day 4: Walk around the ancient city, soak in the charm of an ancient Chinese town. You may also ascend onto the city wall and enjoy the beautiful sight.

Day 5: Sleep in and then head to visit the Qiao Family Courtyard. Then return to Taiyuan, visit the Jinci Temple, and hike in the Yingze Park.

Day 6: Head to the Mount Wutai, and visit the Wuye Temple, then walk to the Pusa Top and visit the temples on there. In the evening, you may also visit the Guanghua Temple.

Day 7: After a good night rest, take a small pilgrimage. Climb onto the Dailuo Peak, enjoy the panoramic views of the beautiful scenery of Mount Wutai.

Day 8: Travel to Hunyuan to visit the Northern Hengshan Mountain and see the gravity-defying Xuankong Temple. In the evening, arrive in Datong for an overnight stay.

Day 9: Visit the Yungang Grottoes, where you can admire the grotto art. Then return to Datong and explore the ancient city.

Day 10: Continue to explore the ancient city, watch the sites such as the Huayan Temple, the Guandi Temple, and the Nine-Dragon Wall. In the afternoon, arrive in Shuozhou and have a good rest.

Day 11: Climb the Yanmen Pass and ascend the steps along the Great Wall, experiencing the grandeur of one of China's most famous mountain passes. After that, arrive in the Ancient City of Xinzhou, take a leisurely walk in the traditional architecture.

Day 12: Turn back to Taiyuan after finishing your visit at the Xinzhou, and in Taiyuan, you can also stroll through the Zhonggu Street to experience the humanity of Shanxi.

Day 13: Visit the Jinci Temple in the morning, then head to the Mengshan Mountain and see the Mengshan Giant Buddha.

Day 14: On the final day, you can enjoy your free time in Taiyuan.

14 Days Shanxi Itinerary for Young Travelers

Datong City Wall

Day 1: Arrive in Taiyuan and enjoy some free time to experience the charm of Shanxi. In the evening, you can hunt for local delicacies at the night markets.

Day 2: Head to Taihuai Town and get acquainted with the Mount Wutai. Visit the highly revered Wuye Temple to offer incense, then continue on to Tayuan Temple to see the iconic landmark of Mount Wutai. In the evening, you can also see the Guanghua Temple.

Day 3: Get up early to watch the sunrise over Mount Wutai, then take a small pilgrimage. In the evening, head to Datong.

Day 4: Visit the Yungang Grottoes, admiring the craftsmanship of ancient architecture. In the afternoon, return to the Ancient City of Datong and explore the royal buildings.

Day 5: Head to the Mount Heng to visit the Xuankong Temple, then continue on to the Pagoda of Fogong Temple. Afterwards, travel to Shuozhou to see the magnificent Yanmen Pass, and stay overnight in Shuozhou.

Day 6: Head to Ningwu County and explore the Ten-thousand-year ice cave. Then take a train to Qikou Ancient Town for free exploration.

Day 7: Take a bus to Xiaoxitian (the New West), is an important setting in Journey to the West, and also the place for the final battle with Yellowbrow in the game, Black Myth: Wukong. In the evening, continue on to Jixian County.

Day 8: Visit the Hukou Waterfall to witness its four great spectacles. After the visit, head to Yunqiu Mountain to discover its rare and remarkable ice cave. Stay overnight at a nearby guesthouse at the Yunqiu Mountain.

Day 9: Head to Yuncheng, visit the Guandi Temple to feel the spirit of Guan Yu's loyalty and righteousness. In the evening, take a train to Huguan County for accommodation.

Day 10: Visit the Baquan Gorge and walk along the canyon plank paths to experience the beauty of the mountains and rivers. You can also try the Grand Canyon's high-altitude drifting. In the evening, you may also try to camp at Taihang Mountains Grand Canyon.

Day 11: Walk in the Wangmang Ridge, which brings together the essence of the 800-li-long Taihang Mountains. Return to Taiyuan in the evening and hunt for local delicacies at the night markets.

Day 12: Leave for Pingyao and explore the ancient city of Pingyao. Rent a bicycle and ride along the city wall, or catch a ceremonial performance at the county Yamen.

Day 13: After a good night in the ancient city, you can turn to Taiyuan after lunch, and along the way you may visit the Qiao Family Courtyard. Then visit Jinci Temple, and in the evening, you can enjoy Shanxi's night life at Liu Alley or the Miami Club.

Day 14: Walk around the Jinyang Lake, and you may also rent a bicycle and ride along the bike path by the Fen River, enjoying the beauty of the city of Taiyuan.

14 Days Shanxi cultural Immersion Itinerary

Yungang Grottoes

Day 1: Arrive in Datong, visit the Datong Ancient City. You can climb the ancient city wall to enjoy the view of this former Northern Wei capital.

Day 2: Visit the Datong Museum to learn about Datong's history. Then you can head to the Yungang Grottoes to appreciate the millennia-old stone carving art. After the visit, go to the Northern Hengshan Mountain to admire the dramatic and Xuankong Temple.

Day 3: Drive to Yingxian County to delve into the mysterious Pagoda of Fogong Temple. In the afternoon, visit the Yanmen Pass and walk along the Great Wall, feeling the majestic grandeur of the First Pass in China. In the evening, take a bus to the Mount Wutai.

Day 4: Visit the Mount Wutai, where you can offer incense and pray for blessings at the Wuye Temple, then go up to the Pusa Top and explore the temples on it. In the evening, head to the Ancient City of Xinzhou, watch the performance of iron flower.

Day 5: Explore Xinzhou Ancient City, then take a train to Qikou Ancient Town, enjoying in the beautiful town beside the Yellow River.

Day 6: Arrive in Xi County and visit Xiaoxitian to see the finely carved Buddha statues. In the evening, leave for Jixian County for accommodation.

Day 7: Watch the Hukou Waterfall to feel the vastnesss and power of the Yellow River. In the afternoon, reach Yunqiu Mountain and explore the historical Taerpo Village.

Day 8: Leave for Yuncheng City, visit the Guandi Temple to learn about the spirit of Guan Yu's loyalty and righteousness. Then climb the Stork Tower and overlook the Yellow River.

Day 9: Head to the House of the Huangcheng Chancellor to appreciate the layout of the Qing-dynasty official residence. Then visit the Situ Townlet to experience traditional Shanxi's street life and local culture.

Day 10: Head to the Wang Family Courtyard, which boasts Ming and Qing–dynasty charm no less impressive than the Qiao Family Courtyard. In the afternoon, arrive in Pingyao Ancient City to learn about the legendary stories of Shanxi merchants.

Day 11: Explore the Ancient City, gain a deeper understandding of the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the evening, you will watch the unmissable Impression Pingyao.

Day 12: Turn back to Taiyuan, see the Yongzuo Temple and the ruins of Jinyang Ancient City. After that, you can walk in Zhonggu Street to feel Shanxi's humanity.

Day 13: Visit the Jinci Temple, and after lunch, followed by a visit to the Shanxi Museum to learn about the 5,000-year-old glorious history of Shanxi.

Day 14: Enjoy your free time in Taiyuan and explore other attractions of interest, such as the China Coal Museum and the Mengshan Giant Buddha.

Customize Your Unique Shanxi Tour

If you are interested in one of the Shanxi itineraries mentioned above, please contact us, and we will be happy to customize it and provide a quote tailored to your preferences.

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