1. Yungang Grottoes – Major cave clusters in the north cliff of Wuzhou Mountain. It is more than a kilometer-stretch made up of 53 caves with more than 51,000 stone statues.

2. Ancient City of Pingyao –In 1997, this ancient wonder was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. This ancient city echoes the colorful and glorious past of Shanxi during the Qing and Ming Dynasties. All the facets of a once-prosperous city are well-preserved. A visit to the place is like a virtual trip back to more than a thousand years. Among the well-preserved infrastructures is the 200-year old Rishengchang Exchange Shop. It is well-renowned as China’s first bank and considered as the “Father of all Banks in China”.

3. Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian —Reputed to be China’s oldest and highest structure made of wood. It is also considered as the “First Pagoda in the World”. This architectural wonder is famous for its intricate work and design.

4. Shuanglin Temple – formerly called the Zhongdu Temple. During the Song Dynasty (960-1127), it was renamed Shuanglin after a Buddhist legend. The temple made it to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997. It is often called the “ancient painted sculptures museum”.

5. Jinci Temple – This ancient ancestral temple is located amidst a beautiful landscape filled with ancient trees. Its history dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC to 711 BC). It was built in honor of Yu, the brother of King Cheng. The King made him a leader of one of his states. Yu was a devoted leader who worked hard to make the state prosperous.

6. Wutai Mountain (Mt. Wutaishan) – It is considered as the most sacred place for Chinese Buddhism. “Wutaishan” literally means “Mountain of Five Terraces”. It has 5 main peaks, the northern one is called as the “Roof of Northern China”.

7. Mt. Hengshan – It is one of China’s Five Sacred Mountains. Mt. Hengshan is an ancient battleground. It provided an excellent bottleneck to the plain of Central Hebei. Thus, it was an important factor to consider in planning national defense tactics. Relics of the battles fought here are present everywhere as silent witnesses of history. The world-famous Xuankong (Overhanging) Monastery hangs on the rocky surface of its sheer cliff.

8. Guan Yu Shrine – China’s largest temple of martial valor

9. Yingying Pagoda of Pujiu Temple – reputed as one of the four large whispering buildings in China

Apart from Han, Mongol, Hui, and Man, Shanxi’s population is made up of more than 54 ethnic minority groups.

Shanxi cuisine is comprised of three different cooking styles—the Southern, Northern, and Central Shanxi Styles. Northern style place highlight the use of oil and color. Southern Style dishes specialize in seafood with light and non-greasy flavors. Central Shanxi Style is a delicious blend of the Northern and Southern styles. Its hand-shaven noodles is well-loved by many.

Local cuisine possesses a distinct saltiness in its dishes.

Some of its most common dishes include:

1. Sweet and Sour Fish

2. Boiled Lamb

3. Hot Candied Yam

4. Shanxi Noodles – Stretched Noodles, Chopped Noodles, and Carved Noodles

5. Steamed Doughball Made from Naked Oats –pure mouth-watering goodness when eaten with mutton and chili oil.

6. Cat Ear – so-called because the dough is shaped like a cat’s ear. It is stewed in boiling water and fried. Best served with garnishing.

7.Tounao – also known as Eight-Delicacy Soup. It is made up of three fatty pieces of mutton cooked with tonic vegetables. Important ingredients that give a tonic effect include lotus roots, yam, and the roots of mild vetch (Astralagus membranceus). All of these ingredients are cooked with rice wine. This peculiar combination gives off a distinct aroma that speaks of liquor, mutton, and herb.