Exceptional Shanxi

Shaanxi Province is located in the very heart of China and is considered one of the most important cradles of ancient Chinese civilization. It also includes most of the middle stretch of the Yellow River. 

Reasons to visit: Shanxi is abundant in attractive tourist spots including the Yungang Caves at Datong City in the north, Wutai Mountain (a sacred place of Buddhism) in the central part, and the falls at Hukou in the south, the only waterfall on the Yellow River. The province also encompasses the country's largest temple of martial valor, the Guan Yu Shrine at Xiezhou.

Major Attractions:
The Rishengchang Draft Bank: established in 1823, it was the biggest draft bank at that time and was renowned as 'Hui Tong Tian Xia (the 'Business Connecting the Whole World').

The Mingqing Street: this is a main road head to downtown, and is well-preserved in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Jinci Temple: located 25 km to the southeast of downtown Taiyuan City, Jinci Temple is a combination of cultural relics and beautiful landscapes. The boughs of a multitude of ancient trees provide a startling entrance to the temple. Beyond this, visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of halls, cabinets, pavilions and bridges. 

Qiao Family compound: during the Qing Dynasty in 1755, Qiao Zhiyong, a outstanding merchant, built this exquisite family compound. . Wutai Buddhism Mountain:lying in Wutai County in Xinzhou Region, Shanxi Province, Mt. Wutaishan is regarded as the most sacred spot in Chinese Buddhism. It is also considered a remarkable tourist area, with its rising and falling ridges of mountain, exotic rocks, towering green forests, crisscrossed gullies, and crystalline waters.

The Yungang Grottoes:scattering the north cliff of Wuzhou Mountain, Datong, the Yungang Grottoes are one of the three main cave clusters in China. The cave system contains 53 caves and over 51,000 stone statues. The three celebrated sites of cave clusters in China are Dunhuang, Longmen and Yungang. Among these, the Yungang grottoes rank first, because of their incredible size, ancient history, and well-preserved state.

Datong Nine-Dragon Screen Wall: built more than 600 years ago, this wall is known as the oldest and largest dazzling screen in China. It is four times than that in Beihai Park in Beijing. Specialities : Food : it is said that China serves the best flour food in the world, and Shanxi ranks first in China in preparing flour food. The characteristic of Shanxi cuisine is the use of vinegar in noodles. Nearly 1,000 kinds of flour food can be found in Shanxi, and such flour food may serve as staple food, snacks or art works. Visitors can also try Pingyao beef, Taigu Guilingji capsules and Qinzhou glutinous millet.

Shopping:
Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi, is located in the center of the province and is a well-known ancient city. Tourists can pick up many souvenirs here including the distinctive Pingyao lacquerware.