Shanxi Province

On the city wall

Pingyao is a walled city in the shaped of a turtle.

View of Pingyao Ancient City from city wall

The city houses, streets and layout is preserved in its Ming and Qing dynasty style.

Pingyao Confucius Temple

Street of Pingyao Ancient City

The shops and houses are still in use.

Coal transporting

Shanxi is rich in coal. Coal is still used for heating.

Rishen Bank - China's first draft bank

With the banks, the city became China's finanical centre in the Ming and Qing dynasty.

View of one of the many Temples

Wutai Mountain is a scared Buddhism ground in China. There are numerous temples and monasteries around the mountain.

Xiantong Temple

Yungang Grottoes

The 1500 years old Yungang Grottes was built during the North Wei Dynasty. It consists of caves with Buddhism sculptures craved on rocks. The caves were actually dug out from rock cliff walls and the sculpture and the decorations are still visible today. The grottes is a showcase of the engineering expertise at that time.

Yungang Grottoes

Designs in the cave ceiling.

Yungang Grottoes

Buddha statue inside the cave.

Yungang Grottoes

Outdoor Buddha statue.

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Hukuo Waterfall

Laoniuwan section of the Gorge.

Yellow River is the border of Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi.

Laoniuwan section of the Gorge.

Laoniuwan Village in Xinzhou prefecture opposite of Qingshui County.

Wanhe Tower at Laoniuwan section of the Gorge.

The tower was used as a watch tower and a beacon.

Laoniuwan section of the Gorge.

Section of Ming Dynasty Great Wall along the cliff. The Great Wall is at Shaanxi Xinzhou Prefecture.

Laoniuwan section of the Gorge.

Section of Ming Dynasty Great Wall along the cliff. The Great Wall is at Shaanxi Xinzhou Prefecture.

Laoniuwan section of the Gorge.

Fishing activity.

Taiyuan Confucius Temple, Yingzhe District

Taiyuan Food Street, Yingzhe District

Taiyuan Food Street, Yingzhe District

Taiyuan Food Street Fried Dough, Yingzhe District

Wenying Park Wenying Lake Xinhai Revolution Site, Yingzhe District

Taiyuan Wenying Park Wanzhi Tower, Yingzhe District

Wenying Park Former Site of the Earliest CPC Party Branch in Taiyuan, Yingzhe District

Shanxi Hotel, Yingzhe District

Old building in Taiyuan, Yingzhe District

Gongji Gate, Xinghualing District

Taiyuan Ancient Mosque, Xinghualing District

Shanxi Government Building, Xinghualing District

Taiyuan Archway, Xinghualing District

The Archway is opposite the Shanxi Government Building.

East Lake Vinegar Park, Xinghualing District

Taiyuan Noodles, Xinghualing District

Taiyuan Food, Xinghualing District

Taiyuan Noodles, Xinghualing District

Taiyuan Food, Xinghualing District

Taiyuan Food, Xinghualing District

Taiyuan North Railway Station, Xiaodian District

Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, Xiaodian District

Hanging Temple, Hunyuan County

The hanging monastery has a section built on the mountain cliff and has a history of more than 1400 years. It's a small temple but spectacular especially when seen from far. The part of the structure is above the ground and supported by "columns" that were inserted into the cliff walls. The temple is 65km from Datong City

Hanging Temple, Hunyuan County

Side view of the temple.

Entrance to Heng Shan, Hunyuan County

Heng Shan is one of China's 5 famous mountains.

Pingxing Pass, Lingqiu County

Qiao Family Courtyard

This was a residential compound built during the Qing dynasty by the rich Qiao family to house several generation of their family members. It is located 64km from Taiyuan City

Yao Temple

Ancient Tree

Yao Temple Square Huabiao

The 21m white marble Huabiao was built. It is one of the largest in China.

Miniature Tiananmen

Miniature Temple of Heaven

Hua Gate

The Hua Gate was built in 2002 to commemorate Emperor Yao. The gate integrates several ancient chinese architectural designs. It is the largest gate in the world.

Linfen West Railway Station

Landscape around Hukou Water Fall, Ji County

Landscape around Hukou Water Fall, Ji County

Hukou Apples, Ji County

Ancient City Gate, Cheng District

City God Temple, Cheng District

City God Temple

City God Temple

Antique Market, Cheng District

Shangdan Gate, Cheng District

A National Historical and Cultural Site.

Changzhi Mosque, Cheng District

Changzhi Mosque, Cheng District

Liufu Pagoda, Cheng District

Miniature Tiananmen opposite Bayi Square, Cheng District

Bayi Square, Cheng District

Changzhi Railway Station, Cheng District

Statue of Emperor Yan, Huguan County

The statue is 3km from the city.

View of county from Laoding Hill, Huguan County

Jingde Bridge

Wenbifeng Pagoda

33m pagoda near the railway station was built during the Ming Dynasty.

Jincheng Railway Station

Dai County Confucius Temple

Bianjing Tower, Dai County

Bell Tower, Dai County

Great Wall Yanmen Pass

Xinzhou Ancient City

Battle site of Yangming Fort Airport

This site located in Dai County was where a major vicotry in the Anti-Japanese War took place. On 19 October 1937, the 769th regiment of the 129th Division of the Eight Route Army launched a night attack klling more than 100 enemy troops and destroyed more than 20 aircraft to slow down the Japan offensive in the province.

Yinxian Wooden Tower

Shouzhou city wall