Introducing the best route for a six-day trip to Shanxi

Last year my old classmate Wang Lili and I joined the Time Photography Group to travel to Shanxi. Taking a bus, the trip lasts for 6 days, and the daily fare is 100 yuan. You are responsible for your own food and accommodation, and there is an accommodation fee of 280 yuan.

We set off from Xi'an at 7:30 in the morning on June 9th, drove for more than 10 hours, and arrived at Hunyuan County in Datong City at around 9 pm to stay. Because the speed requirements for long-distance buses are now very strict, you don't dare to speed. The time is a bit longer, but it is safe

On the 10th, I went to Xuankong Temple first, because I went there 3 years ago and there was no novelty. After that, to go to the nearby Hengshan Mountain, you have to take the ropeway, which costs 140 yuan for a round trip. I bought a group ticket for 112 yuan per person. To be honest, the scenery of Mount Hengshan is really not that good. It is only known as the Five Mountains. Especially the temples on the mountain are surprisingly small. I think the gods enshrined there will feel aggrieved. By the way, Hunyuan’s jelly is delicious, truly high quality and reasonably priced.

On the 11th, we first went to Muta Temple in Yingxian County. I have been here too, so I won’t record it. When we came down to the ancient city of Hanguang, the sun was blazing, the dust was flying, the environment was very primitive, and it was obvious that it had not been built yet. There is a huge square with a huge sculpture of three people, and there is no indication of who they are. There are 20 small human sculptures standing around. After walking a long way, I saw an archway with the words "Han Guang" written on it. The tour leader said it was still a few miles away from the ancient city, so I returned immediately. According to people who came back, the so-called ancient city was in dilapidated condition, with few households and crumbling houses that were not worth seeing.

Arrive at Yanmen Pass in the afternoon. This scenic spot was beyond my expectation. It is very majestic and spectacular. To the north is the outer wall and to the south is the pass, which is a fortress guarding the border. Countless soldiers from past dynasties have been stationed here far away from their homes, leaving behind many sad stories. I was filled with emotion when I thought of Fan Zhongyan's poem: "With a cup of dirty wine, my family is thousands of miles away, and the swallows are not yet trapped. There is no way to return. The Qiang Guan is covered with frost, and the people are sleepless. The general's hair is white and his husband is weeping." I was filled with emotion.

Stay in Ningwu County for the night.

First take the bus to Ningwuguan on the 12th, which is a city gate cave. Then go to the Wannian Ice Cave. Never heard of this place before. The car travels through the mountains, and the scenery along the way is very beautiful and has the charm of the Qinling Mountains (I always compare it with the Qinling Mountains when I go into the mountains). The entrance fee to this Ten Thousand Years Ice Cave is 120 yuan. Some people think the price is too high and do not go in. It is really a pity. I went in with the attitude of giving it a try, but because I had to go down into a very deep cave, I almost turned back halfway. When we got to the cave and took a look, everyone screamed, it was so beautiful! What it means to be crystal clear, what it means to be flawless, what it means to stand tall on the sky and what it means to stand tall on the earth, what it means to be a beautiful building, these are not enough to describe the beauty of the ice cave.

Next we went to Qinglong Ancient Town. The ancient town does not charge tickets, but several courtyards in the town charge tickets for various exhibitions or museums, which is 15 yuan per family. Each family has a different theme, including folk customs, art, family temples, etc. I entered two houses and there were almost no tourists. It was raining at dusk, lonely and deserted, and a bit eerie. Thinking that the owners of these mansions have long since disappeared, leaving only these houses for people to pay homage to. Inexplicably feeling a little anxious. Stay at a training institution hotel in the suburbs of Taiyuan for the night.

Go to Jinci in the early morning of the 13th. I've been here twice before, but I didn't finish the tour due to time constraints. This time I decided to take a closer look. I came to Jinci Temple 20 years ago because I read Liang Heng's article "Jinci Temple". Unfortunately, it happened to be raining heavily, so I could only walk through it hastily. The second time I came with my two nephews. They didn’t buy tickets, so they waited for me outside. I was afraid they would be anxious, so they took a quick look. This time I had enough time and walked almost all over slowly. What impressed me most was the Dong Shouping Painting and Calligraphy Museum, which is quite large and has many exhibits. A wax figure of the old man is lifelike, just like a real person.

In the afternoon, we went to Zhangbi Castle, which is an ancient military fortress and a barracks. The entire town is connected by underground passages. Now all the villagers have moved out, and the whole town has become a tourist attraction.

Stay in a hotel near the Wang Family Courtyard at night.

Went to visit the Wang Family Courtyard on the 14th. I have been here before, and I need to go back to the old place again, so there is no need to elaborate. I drove back to Xi'an in the afternoon and arrived home at around 8 o'clock.

This trip has a tight schedule and concentrated attractions. For those who want to travel to Shanxi, I think this line is a good choice.