7 Days Shanxi Itinerary

7 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 seven 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 seven-day trip, ensuring that you can explore Shanxi to the fullest without missing out on its wonders.

7 Days Shanxi Itinerary for Family with Kids

Xuankong Temple

Day 1: Arrive in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi. 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: In the morning, you can visit the Jinci Temple, experiencing 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 in the evening.

Day 3: 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 Linfen and visit the Drum Tower.

Day 4: Head to the Yunqiu Mountain to explore the ten-thousand-year-old ice cave, and watch a traditional shadow puppet show and distinctive folk performances. In the evening, travel to Jixian County for rest.

Day 5: Witness the Hukou Waterfall and feel the roaring power of the Yellow River. In the afternoon, head to Qikou Ancient Town to explore one of the most beautiful towns along the Yellow River.

Day 6: Return to Taiyuan and along the way you can visit the Qiao Family Courtyard. Then head to Xinzhou and visit the Ancient City of Xinzhou, where you can watch the performance of iron flower, and also enjoy the Chinese traditional architectural art.

Day 7: In the last day you can have fun at Taiyuan Oriental Heritage and enjoy a nice day with its recreation facilities filling with Chinese traditional culture.

7 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: Visit the Jinci Temple in the morning, then you will 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.

Day 3: 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 bus to Taihuai Town for accommodation.

Day 4: Visit the Wuye Temple, then walk to the Pusa Top. In the afternoon, take a cable car up to the Dailuo Peak for panoramic views of the beautiful scenery of Mount Wutai.

Day 5: Head 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 6: 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.

Day 7: Return to Taiyuan and Visit the Shanxi Museum to learn about the glorious history and rich culture of the land of the Sanjin, and then try Shanxi's signature dish, knife-cut noodles. In the afternoon, take a leisurely citywalk there and keep the memory of Shanxi.

7 Days Shanxi Itinerary for Young Travelers

Xiaoxitian

Day 1: Head to 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. Of course, the night scenery of the old town is another highlight.

Day 2: Take a bus to Xi County Xiaoxitian (the New West), which 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 3: 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 4: Head to Yuncheng, the hometown of the famed Three Kingdoms general Guan Yu. Visit the Guandi Temple to feel the spirit of his loyalty and righteousness. In the evening, take a train to Huguan County for accommodation.

Day 5: 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 6: Enjoy a day trip to 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 7: 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.

7 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, and explore sites such as the Huayan Temple, the Guandi Temple, and the Nine-Dragon Wall under the stunning lights.

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, 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 afternoon, climb up to the Dailuo Peak to pay homage to the Five Manifestations of Manjushri Bodhisattva. In the evening, head to the Ancient City of Xinzhou, watch the performance of iron flower.

Day 5: 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.

Day 6: Visit the Jinci Temple, then head to the Qiao Family Courtyard. In the afternoon, arrive in Pingyao Ancient City to learn about the legendary stories of Shanxi merchants. In the evening, you will watch the unmissable Impression Pingyao.

Day 7: Head to the Wang Family Courtyard, which boasts Ming and Qing–dynasty charm no less impressive than the Qiao Family Courtyard. In the afternoon, you can return to Pingyao or Taiyuan and use the remaining time to experience the local customs and atmosphere.

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.

Informative Articles for Your Shanxi Trip

The New West, Xi County

• Travel Guide: attractions, weather, hotels, food, etc.
• Top destinations: recommanded places to visit in Shanxi
• Travel itineraries: itineraries for your reference
• Local culture: brief history, folk culture, religion, etc.
• Weather: the best time and seasons to visit Shanxi
• Top attractions: sightseeing to watch in Shanxi
• Cultural immersions: activities to spotlight your trip
• Unique perspective: top different things to do
• Local food: what to eat while traveling in Shanxi
• Luxury hotels: best accommodation to stay in Shanxi
• Shanxi Tours: customized Shanxi tours for your reference