Shanxi, a severely underrated tourist powerhouse | Off the beaten path and fascinating

Shanxi has a strong appeal, and I'm still amazed by the photos upon reorganizing them. Compared to the delicacy of the south, the rough and profound charm here is absolutely soul-stirring😭. Retracing the Liang-Lin route, 🔎through ancient murals, temples, and colored sculptures, I experienced the millennium romance from the Northern Wei, Liao, Jin to the prosperous Tang dynasty, touching the pulse and backbone of culture. As many people have commented on Shanxi💁🏻‍♀️: When ancient buildings starkly appear before your eyes, the instant visual impact makes one lose interest in museums where the lights evenly illuminate the artifacts." 🙌4-day 3-night itinerary D1: Zhenguo Temple—Pingyao Ancient City—Majia Courtyard—Shuanglin Temple D2: Wang Family Courtyard—Datong Ancient City D3: Huayan Temple—Shanhua Temple—Yungang Grottoes D4: Yong'an Temple—Hanging Temple—Ying County Wooden Pagoda ✅Zhenguo Temple One of the few remaining Five Dynasties' colored paintings and wooden structures, an ancient temple of the Northern Han dynasty comparable to Dunhuang ✅Pingyao Ancient City The most completely preserved ancient county in China, a World Cultural Heritage site ✅Majia Courtyard (Pingyao Ancient City) A representative mansion of Pingyao's Jin merchants, with an observation deck overlooking the entire Pingyao ✅Shuanglin Temple Exquisite Yuan and Ming dynasty colored sculptures, Tang locust trees, Song dynasty steles, and Ming dynasty bells of great artistic value ✅Wang Family Courtyard in Shanxi Returning to the Wang Family Courtyard is like visiting a private Forbidden City, grand and solemn ✅Datong Ancient City Strolling through the Northern Wei capital, visiting the city walls, Drum Tower, Qian Tower, and Kui Xing Tower ✅Huayan Temple Following the Tang dynasty's style, Liang Sicheng called it a "unique masterpiece and a national treasure for a thousand years" ✅Shanhua Temple The largest existing Liao and Jin dynasty structure, with Rakshasa clay sculptures and Ming dynasty temple murals ✅Yungang Grottoes Carved by the entire Northern Wei nation, dedicated to the Northern Wei, a lifelong pilgrimage to Yungang ✅Ying County Wooden Pagoda The oldest and tallest existing wooden pagoda in China, known as the 'Dou Gong' museum ✅Yuanjue Temple Brick Pagoda A solid brick pagoda under Mount Heng with imitation wood eaves in the style of the Song and Liao dynasties ✅Yong'an Temple Yuan dynasty wooden architecture, Yuan dynasty murals, and calligraphic plaques, astonishing to behold ✅Hanging Temple Built in the late Northern Wei period, a 1500-year-old temple perched on a cliff ✅Datong Earth Forest A landscape formed by wind and water erosion, most enchanting at sunset on a clear day 🙌It's cold and windy in winter, remember to choose good weather, and be sure to keep warm. The attractions are far apart, so it's recommended to rent a car or hire a private car.