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.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Shanxi Museum & Twin Pagoda Temple
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.
住宿：柳巷·鐘樓街
第 2 天 · Tang Dynasty Wooden Structures to Mount Wutai
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.
住宿：台懷鎮
第 3 天 · A Day in Mount Wutai Temples
五台山（黛螺頂、顯通寺、塔院寺·大白塔、菩薩頂、五爺廟（萬佛閣））
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.
住宿：台懷鎮
第 4 天 · Mount Wutai to Hanging Temple & Datong
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.
住宿：大同古城
第 5 天 · Yungang Grottoes & Datong Ancient City
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.
住宿：大同古城
第 6 天 · Ying County Wooden Pagoda to Yanmen Pass
大同（應縣木塔（佛宮寺釋迦塔）） → 忻州·雁門關（廣武長城、雁門關、邊靖樓）
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.
住宿：代縣縣城
第 7 天 · Xinzhou Ancient City to Jinci Temple
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.
住宿：晉源古縣城
第 8 天 · Tianlong Mountain & Qiao Family Courtyard to Pingyao
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.
住宿：平遙古城
第 9 天 · Pingyao Ancient City & Shuanglin Temple
平遙（平遙古城牆、日升昌票號、平遙縣衙、平遙古城·南大街與市樓、雙林寺）
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.
住宿：平遙古城
第 10 天 · Wang Family Courtyard to Guangsheng Temple
平遙（王家大院） → 臨汾（廣勝上寺·飛虹塔、廣勝下寺·水神廟）
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.
住宿：洪洞縣城
第 11 天 · Xiaoxitian to Feiyun Pavilion & Yuncheng
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.
住宿：南風廣場
第 12 天 · Guandi Temple & Yongle Palace
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.
住宿：南風廣場
第 13 天 · House of the Chancellor to Jincheng
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.
住宿：晉城市區
第 14 天 · Tiefo Temple & Chongqing Temple to 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.