Grand Shanxi Loop: The Ultimate Ancient Architecture Tour

A comprehensive loop from Taiyuan through northern, central, southern, and southeastern Shanxi, covering all the province's key historical sites.

This long-distance route links several classic itineraries. Starting from Taiyuan, it heads north to Mount Wutai and Datong, then south to Pingyao, Linfen, and Yuncheng, before turning east to Jincheng and Changzhi. The entire loop is about 2,000 km and is best done by car, selecting only the most representative monuments in each region. It is perfect for travelers with plenty of time who want a systematic look at Shanxi, though it bypasses the Taihang Canyons and the Yellow River highway.

Avoid the peak crowds of Chinese New Year and National Day. Note that some ancient sites are closed on Mondays.

Day by day

Day 1 · Shanxi Museum & Twin Pagoda Temple

Taiyuan（Shanxi Museum、Twin Pagoda Temple (Yongzuo Temple)、Zhonglou Street & Liuxiang）

Take a taxi from the airport to downtown (approx. 30 mins). Use taxis for city travel during the day, and head to Liuxiang and Zhonglou Street for dinner in the evening.

Shanxi Museum is closed on Mondays; plan your visit for another day.

Stay: Liuxiang–Zhonglou Street

Day 2 · Tang Dynasty Wooden Structures to Mount Wutai

Mount Wutai（Nanchan Temple、Foguang Temple）

Pick up your car in Taiyuan and drive to Nanchan Temple (approx. 1.5 hours), then to Foguang Temple (approx. 1 hour), and continue to Taihuai Town (approx. 1 hour).

Both temples offer scheduled free guided tours; check the times upon arrival.

Stay: Taihuai Town

Day 3 · A Day in Mount Wutai Temples

Mount Wutai（Dailuoding Temple、Xiantong Temple、Tayuan Temple & Great White Pagoda、Pusading Temple、Wuye Temple (Wanfo Pavilion)）

Stay in Taihuai Town and explore the temples on foot. You can take the cable car or climb the steps to Dailuo Peak. Return to your accommodation in the evening; no driving today.

The 1st and 15th of the lunar month are very crowded; book accommodation well in advance.

Stay: Taihuai Town

Day 4 · Mount Wutai to Hanging Temple & Datong

Datong（Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si)、Yong'an Temple, Hunyuan、Huayan Temple）

Drive north from Taihuai via Shahe to Hunyuan (approx. 2.5 hours). After visiting the two sites, drive to Datong (approx. 1.5 hours).

Book climbing tickets for the Hanging Temple in advance; drive slowly on mountain roads.

Stay: Datong Ancient City

Day 5 · Yungang Grottoes & Datong Ancient City

Datong（Yungang Grottoes、Shanhua Temple、Nine-Dragon Wall、Datong Ancient City Wall）

Drive from the Ancient City to Yungang (approx. 40 mins). Return to the city in the afternoon to see the Nine-Dragon Screen, Shanhua Temple, and the city wall on foot.

Yungang requires real-name reservations in advance; allow at least 3 hours for the visit.

Stay: Datong Ancient City

Day 6 · Ying County Wooden Pagoda to Yanmen Pass

Datong（Pagoda of Fogong Temple (Yingxian Wooden Pagoda)） → Xinzhou & Yanmen Pass（Guangwu Great Wall、Yanmen Pass、Bianjing Tower）

Drive from Datong to Ying County (approx. 1.5 hours), then to Guangwu (approx. 1 hour), and continue to Yanmen Pass and Dai County (approx. 1 hour).

Both Guangwu and Yanmen Pass require uphill walking; wear non-slip shoes.

Stay: Dai County Seat

Day 7 · Xinzhou Ancient City to Jinci Temple

Xinzhou & Yanmen Pass（Xinzhou Ancient City） → Taiyuan（Jinci Temple、Taiyuan Ancient County Town）

Drive from Dai County to Xinzhou Ancient City (approx. 1 hour). In the afternoon, take the expressway to Jinci Temple southwest of Taiyuan (approx. 1.5 hours).

Jinci Temple closes early; ticket sales stop at 4:30 PM in the off-season.

Stay: Jinyuan Old County Town

Day 8 · Tianlong Mountain & Qiao Family Courtyard to Pingyao

Taiyuan（Tianlongshan Grottoes） → Pingyao（Qiao Family Compound）

Drive from Jinyuan to Tianlong Mountain (approx. 30 mins). Descend and drive to Qiao Family Courtyard in Qi County (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Pingyao (approx. 1 hour).

Out-of-town cars cannot enter the ancient city; park outside and ask your guesthouse for a pickup.

Stay: Pingyao Ancient City

Day 9 · Pingyao Ancient City & Shuanglin Temple

Pingyao（Pingyao City Wall、Rishengchang Exchange House、Pingyao County Government Office (Yamen)、Pingyao Ancient City (Nan Dajie & Market Tower)、Shuanglin Temple）

Explore the ancient city on foot or by bicycle. Take a taxi to Shuanglin Temple outside the city in the afternoon (approx. 20 mins), and return to the ancient city at dusk.

Most attractions inside the city are covered by a combo ticket; some require advance booking.

Stay: Pingyao Ancient City

Day 10 · Wang Family Courtyard to Guangsheng Temple

Pingyao（Wang Family Compound） → Linfen（Upper Guangsheng Temple & Feihong Pagoda、Lower Guangsheng Temple & Water God Temple）

Drive from Pingyao to Wang Family Courtyard (approx. 1 hour), then take the Dayun Expressway south to Guangsheng Temple (approx. 1.5 hours). Stay in Hongtong.

Guangsheng Temple requires a shuttle bus to go up the mountain; allow plenty of time.

Stay: Hongtong County Seat

Day 11 · Xiaoxitian to Feiyun Pavilion & Yuncheng

Linfen（Xiaoxitian Temple (Qianfo'an)） → Yuncheng（Feiyun Tower, Wanrong Dongyue Temple）

Drive from Hongtong to Xi County (approx. 2 hours). In the afternoon, take the Hubei Expressway south to Wanrong (approx. 2.5 hours), then continue to Yuncheng.

Xiaoxitian requires reservations. It is a long driving day, so start as early as possible.

Stay: Nanfeng Square

Day 12 · Guandi Temple & Yongle Palace

Yuncheng（Xiezhou Guandi Temple、Yongle Palace、Yuncheng Salt Lake）

Drive from Yuncheng to Xiezhou (approx. 30 mins), then cross the Zhongtiao Mountains to Ruicheng (approx. 1 hour). Return to Yuncheng (approx. 1.5 hours).

Photography is not allowed inside the halls of Yongle Palace; online booking is recommended.

Stay: Nanfeng Square

Day 13 · House of the Chancellor to Jincheng

Jincheng（Huangcheng Xiangfu (Chen Tingjing's Residence)、Fucheng Yuhuang Temple）

Take the expressway east from Yuncheng to Yangcheng (approx. 2.5 hours). After the visit, drive to downtown Jincheng (approx. 1 hour).

Check the opening hours of Yuhuang Temple on the day of your visit.

Stay: Jincheng Urban Area

Day 14 · Tiefo Temple & Chongqing Temple to Changzhi

Jincheng（Tiefo Temple, Gaoping） → Changzhi（Chongqing Temple、Guanyin Hall (Changzhi)）

Drive from Jincheng to Gaoping (approx. 1 hour), then to Zhangzi (approx. 30 mins), and continue to Changzhi Guanyin Hall (approx. 50 mins) before heading to Changzhi East Railway Station.

Tiefo Temple has limited parking; leave plenty of buffer time for your departure train.