Shanxi is a landlocked province on the Loess Plateau of north China, west of the Taihang Mountains and east of the Yellow River. It holds more surviving pre-modern timber buildings than any other Chinese province, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the Yungang Grottoes, the Ancient City of Pingyao and Mount Wutai), the cliff-clinging Hanging Monastery, the 1056 wooden pagoda of Ying County, the Qing-era merchant mansions of the Jin traders and the thundering Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Shanxi.
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1
Yungang Grottoes
Tip: Arrive at opening on a weekday to see the caves before tour groups · Allow two to three hours and wear comfortable shoes for the long cliff path · Confirm the current gate price on the official ticketing channel · Check inside-cave photography rules before shooting; flash is not allowed · Combine with the Hanging Monastery and Datong old city across two days
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2
Hanging Monastery (Xuankong Temple)
Tip: Arrive before 8:00 AM from May to October to secure a climbing slot before caps are reached · Buy the cheaper scenic-area ticket first if only viewing from below · Wear flat, grippy shoes for the narrow wooden walkways · Carry a passport for ticket purchase and entry checks · Visitors with a fear of heights may prefer to admire it from the canyon floor · A chartered car from Datong is faster than public transport and can include the Yingxian pagoda
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3
Huayan Temple
Tip: Reserve online with a passport in peak season · Visit late afternoon, then walk to the city wall for dusk · Bring a camera that copes with dim interiors · Hire a guide or use an audio guide, as English labels are limited · Allow time to see both the Upper and Lower Temples · Combine with the Nine Dragon Wall, which is a short walk away
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4
Datong City Wall
Tip: Go at dusk for illuminated towers and cooler air · Bring a jacket outside summer, as the wall top is exposed and windy · Combine with Huayan Temple and the Nine Dragon Wall on the same day · Rent a bike where available to cover more of the rampart · Confirm ticket and access rules for the rampart on arrival · Take a taxi or Didi from Datong South Station, about 20 minutes
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5
Nine Dragon Wall (Datong)
Tip: Photograph from across the pool to capture the reflection · Visit in mid-morning when glaze colours are brightest · Combine with Huayan Temple, a short walk away · Allow about 30 minutes, as it is a compact site · Keep small change handy for the low entry fee · Look closely at the central yellow dragon and the cloud details
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6
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Pagoda of Fogong Temple)
Tip: Use a wide-angle lens; the courtyard is compact relative to the pagoda · Confirm locally whether upper levels are open, as climbing is restricted · Visit in late afternoon for warm light on the timber facade · Pair with the Hanging Monastery on one chartered-car day from Datong · Winter hours are shorter, so check before travelling
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7
Pingyao Ancient City
Tip: Stay at least one night to enjoy the city before and after day-trippers · Buy the combined ticket and keep it for three days of access · Bring a passport for ticket purchase · Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven stone paving · Use e-carts or bikes to cover the wall and distant sites · Avoid national holiday weeks, when lanes are very crowded
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8
Rishengchang Draft Bank Museum (China Ticket House Museum)
Tip: Arrive at opening before tour groups fill the narrow rooms · Use the Pingyao combined ticket, as separate entry is not needed · Consider a guide to explain the code and seal system · Combine with other banking sites on West Street · Allow 45 minutes to an hour · Carry a passport for ticket checks
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9
Shuanglin Temple
Tip: Visit in mid-morning for natural light inside the dim halls · Bring a small torch where lighting is limited · Arrange a return taxi or e-bike in advance · Combine with Zhenguo Temple on the same trip · Respect rules on touching or photographing statues · Allow about an hour and a half
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10
Qiao Family Compound
Tip: Visit on weekday mornings to avoid domestic tour groups · Allow about two hours for a full circuit · Hire a guide or audio device for family history · Carry a passport for ticket purchase · Combine with Pingyao by car, about 40 minutes · Carry water, as shade is limited in courtyards
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Pingyao Ancient City
Datong City Wall
Nine Dragon Wall (Datong)
Yanmen Pass
Stork Tower (Guanque Tower)
Museums
Shanxi Museum
Rishengchang Draft Bank Museum (China Ticket House Museum)
Qiao Family Compound
Religious
Yungang Grottoes
Hanging Monastery (Xuankong Temple)
Wutai Shan (Mount Wutai)
Huayan Temple
Xiezhou Guandi Temple
Shuanglin Temple
History
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Pagoda of Fogong Temple)
Jinci Temple
Foguang Temple
Yongle Palace
Nature
Hukou Waterfall (Shanxi side)
Wutai Shan (Mount Wutai)
Cultural
Qiao Family Compound
Wang Family Compound
Huangcheng Xiangfu (Chen Tingjing's Mansion)
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most scenic areas open about 8:00 AM and close 5:30–6:30 PM, with shorter winter hours; the Shanxi Museum closes on Mondays; Pingyao's old-city streets are open 24 hours
- Fees
- Major sites cost about ¥50–135 (about $7–20 USD); the Pingyao combined ticket is ¥125 (about $18 USD) for about 22 sites over 3 days; the Shanxi Museum is free with reservation; Wutai Shan adds a compulsory ¥50 (about $7 USD) shuttle
- Best Times
- Arrive at opening for the Hanging Monastery, Yungang Grottoes and Qiao Family Compound; avoid May 1–5 and October 1–7 when domestic visitor numbers peak
- Booking
- Most sites use real-name tickets: carry a passport, and reserve the Shanxi Museum, Wutai Shan and peak-season Hanging Monastery climbs in advance via official WeChat mini-programs or Trip.com
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Base in Datong for one or two days to cover the Yungang Grottoes, the old city, the Hanging Monastery and the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Spend at least two nights in Pingyao: the combined ticket lasts three days, and Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple and the Qiao and Wang compounds are short drives away
Hire a car with driver for rural sites such as Foguang and Nanchan temples, the Hanging Monastery and Hukou Waterfall, where public transport is sparse
Bring a torch or phone light for dim temple halls at Shuanglin, Zhenguo and Foguang, where much of the art is in shadow
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed for Shanxi's main attractions?
Five to seven days covers Datong (Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Monastery, Yingxian pagoda), Taiyuan (Jinci, Shanxi Museum) and Pingyao with the merchant compounds; add two days for Wutai Shan and two more for Hukou Waterfall or the Yuncheng sites in the south.
Is the Hanging Monastery climb worth the extra fee?
The ¥100 (about $15 USD) climbing ticket gives access to the narrow galleries and halls on the cliff; the ¥15 (about $2 USD) entry only allows viewing from the canyon floor. Daily caps apply to the climb in May–October, so arrive early.
Can independent travelers visit without a tour?
Yes. High-speed trains reach Datong, Taiyuan and Pingyao, and Didi works in all three; a chartered car is the practical choice for rural sites such as the Hanging Monastery, Foguang Temple and Hukou Waterfall.
Are Shanxi attractions open in winter?
Most sites stay open year-round with shorter hours and lower winter prices, but Datong and Wutai Shan are very cold from November to March and some Wutai Shan high-terrace paths may close after snow.