Shanxi Travel Guide
Occupying an area of over 60,000 square miles, the province of Shanxi in mainland China is truly beautiful with an abundance of history dating back thousands of years.
Located east of the Yellow River, Shanxi Province borders with Henan, Hebei, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia and Autonomous Region. The province has a population of over 32 million people and is home to a number of minority ethnic groups.
The capital city is Taiyuan, which offers spectacular views of the region as well as numerous historic attractions such as the Chongshan Monastery built during the Tang Dynasty from 618. The famous holy mountain, Mount Wutai, can be found in Shanxi and is on top 10 lists of things to see in China.
Shanxi is dubbed the Chinese Ancient Architecture Museum, with a multitude of traditional styled structures built before the Song and Liao Dynasties. There is the beautiful Pinyao City, which was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. Also of interest is the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County, which is the oldest and tallest of its kind in China.
Other sights in the province not to be missed include the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, also protected by UNESCO. Pilgrims won’t want to miss the temples that dot the various mountains of the province, including those at Mount Wutai and Mount Hengshan.
The best time to visit Shanxi province is between May and October when the weather is warmest. Springtime can be colorful, with the wildflower grasslands offering spectacular views. Accommodation throughout the province is varied with a wide choice of luxurious hotels and budget options.
Shanxi has a well-developed transportation system with extensive highways, railways and airports throughout the province easily connecting travelers to all major cities in the region. The airport in the capital of Taiyuan has flights to 28 domestic cities as well as international routes to Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Russia. Flights from Beijing to Taiyuan take approximately 1 hour.