5 Days Shanxi Itinerary

5 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 only have five 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 five-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Shanxi to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

5 Days Shanxi Itinerary for Family with Kids

Jinci Temple

Day 1: Learn about the Shanxi's Venation

Arrive in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi. Your first stop is the Shanxi Museum, where you can experience 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Afterwards, visit the Yingze Park to get a taste of local daily life, or head to the Fen River Scenic Area to enjoy the beauty of Taiyuan's mother river. In the evening, explore Taiyuan's snack streets in search of local delicacies.

Day 2: See the Ancient Buildings of Shanxi

In the morning, start with a visit to the Yongzuo Temple, then head to the Jinci Temple. Jinci is a royal ceremonial garden built in honor of the King of Jin, where you can experience the artistic aesthetics of traditional Chinese culture. After that, take a bus to the Ancient City of Pingyao, and watch the performance of Impression Pingyao, immersing yourself in the era of Shanxi merchants.

Day 3: Experience the Heritages in Shanxi

Visit the Shuanglin Temple in the morning, then return to the ancient city to enjoy local meals. Then stroll around the city to watch the show that recreates the Yamen judge the case. In the evening, head to Xinzhou and visit the Ancient City of Xinzhou, where you can watch the performance of iron flower, one of China's intangible cultural heritage, and also enjoy the Chinese traditional architectural art.

Day 4: Explore the Sacred Mount Wutai

Head to the Mount Wutai and visit the Wuye Temple, then continue north to explore the core temple area of Wutai. Afterwards, take a cable car up to the Dailuo Peak, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings and catch a glimpse of the glowing sunset. In the evening, take a train to Datong for accommodation.

Day 5: Find the Remains of Northern Wei

In the morning, visit the Yungang Grottoes and admire their distinctive stone carving art. In the afternoon, return to Datong and walk (or jog) along the ancient city walls, experiencing the charm of this former imperial capital.

5 Days Shanxi Itinerary for Seniors with Slow Pace

Pingyao Ancient City

Day 1: Experience the Cityscape of Shanxi

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: Admire the Ancient Building in Shanxi

Visit the Jinci Temple and appreciate the beauty of the loyal garden in the morning, then you head to Datong and explore the Ancient City of Datong. You may climb onto the wall of the ancient city, and visit those ancient architectures that used by the emperors of Northern Wei. In the evening, the nightscape of the city is also deserved to see.

Day 3: Visit the Cultural Heritages of Shanxi

Head to the Yungang Grottoes to admire the exquisite art of the Northern Wei Dynasty. In the afternoon, travel to Yingxian County to see the unyielding Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, then take a train to Pingyao Ancient City. Wander leisurely through the old streets and soak in the charm of an ancient Chinese county town. After dinner, you can watch the immersive performance Impression Pingyao, learn about the story of a Shanxi merchant.

Day 4: Listen to the Story Happened in Shanxi

Head to the Qiao Family Courtyard and learn how the Qiao family grew from a small tofu workshop into one of the wealthiest Shanxi merchant families. Then return to Pingyao and explore the ancient city again to visit those alleys you have not had the time to visit yet.

Day 5: Explore the Realest Side of Shanxi

Return to Taiyuan and Visit the Shanxi Museum to learn about the glorious history and rich culture of the land of the Sanjin in the morning, and then try Shanxi's signature dish, knife-cut noodles. In the afternoon, take a leisurely citywalk there and keep the memory of Shanxi.

5 Days Shanxi Itinerary for Young Travelers

Xiaoxitian

Day 1: Enjoy the Highlight of the Ancient City

Take a high-speed train from Taiyuan to Pingyao to explore the ancient city of Pingyao. You can rent a bicycle and ride along the city wall, or catch a ceremonial performance at the county Yamen. Of course, the night scenery of the old town is another highlight.

Day 2: Encounter the Mysterious Xiaoxitian

Take a coach to Xi County and visit Xiaoxitian (the New West). This site is an important setting in Journey to the West, and also the place for the final battle with Huangmei (Yellowbrow) in the game, Black Myth: Wukong. More than a thousand finely carved Buddha statues delicately depict the blissful realm of the Buddhist Pure Land. In the evening, continue on to Jixian County for an overnight stay.

Day 3: See the Sights of the Field of Wonder

Visit the Hukou Waterfall to witness its four great spectacles and experience the vastness, power, and untamed spirit of the Yellow River. In the afternoon, head to Yunqiu Mountain to discover its rare and remarkable ice cave, a natural wonder that never melts even after tens of thousands of years. In the evening, take a train to Huguan County for accommodation.

Day 4: Immerse in the Taihang Mountains

Head to the Baquan Gorge and take a cable car to the top of the canyon for sweeping views of the Taihang mountain range. 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, gliding down from towering glass slide for an exciting and thrilling experience. In addition, the Qinglong Gorge, Hongdou Gorge, and Heilong Pool are also well worth visiting. In the evening, you may also try to camp at the Taihang Mountains Grand Canyon.

Day 5: Experience the Beauty of Taiyuan

Take a bullet train back to Taiyuan and stroll through the Jinci Temple. In the afternoon, you can rent a bicycle and ride along the bike path by the Fen River, enjoying the beauty of the city of Taiyuan.

5 Days Shanxi cultural Immersion Itinerary

Yungang Grottoes

Day 1: Explore the Nightscape of the Ancient City

Arrive in Datong, and after a short break, you can climb the ancient city wall to enjoy the nighttime view of this former Northern Wei capital, and explore sites such as the Huayan Temple, the Guandi Temple, and the Nine-Dragon Wall under the stunning lights.

Day 2: Appreciate the Charm of Cultural Heritage

Visit the Datong Museum to learn about the history of the area in the morning. Then you can head to the Yungang Grottoes to appreciate the beauty and ingenuity of millennia-old stone carving art. After the visit, you can head to the Northern Hengshan Mountain to admire the dramatic and thrilling Hanging (Xuankong) Temple.

Day 3: Watch the Wonders on the Ancient Land

In the morning, you can head to Yingxian County to delve into the mystery and legends of the 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, prepare for the following pilgrimage.

Day 4: Pilgrimage to the Sacred Site of Shanxi

Visit the Mount Wutai, the sacred site of Manjushri Bodhisattva. 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 afternoon, you may climb up to the Dailuo Peak to pay homage to the Five Manifestations of Manjushri Bodhisattva. Then head to the Ancient City of Xinzhou in the evening, watch the performance of iron flower.

Day 5: Experience the Historical Heritage of Shanxi

Explore Xinzhou Ancient City and experience the most authentic northern Shanxi charm. Then head to Taiyuan for lunch, followed by a visit to the Shanxi Museum to learn about the 5,000-year-old glorious history of the land of Sanjin.

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.

Alternatively, if you would like to customize your Shanxi Tour, please visit our Shanxi Tour Customized Center. We assure you that you will receive a reply within 24 working hours.

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