Having heard much about the charm of Shanxi, I embarked on a self-drive adventure, commencing with a flight from Shanghai to Taiyuan. After exploring the must-visit attractions in Taiyuan, I boarded a high-speed train to Datong, where my self-drive journey officially began.
1. Upon arrival in Datong, I collected my rental car and made a beeline for the Datong Museum. I chose a hotel situated within the ancient city walls of Datong, affording convenient access to步行 stroll through the core attractions such as Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, the Ancient City Wall, Chunyang Palace, and Guandi Temple. The delectable culinary offerings of Zini and Longjuxiang awaited at the heart of the ancient city, near the Drum Tower.
I opted for a boutique inn situated conveniently close to the Drum Tower, Chunyang Palace, Qingzhen Mosque, and Huayan Temple. Yungang, a scenic spot situated a distance from the city, was accessible by a 40- to 60-minute drive.
2. My visit to Hunyuan was primarily to explore the Hanging Temple, albeit with regrettable omissions such as the Hunyuan Confucian Temple, Yuanjue Temple Pagoda, and Yong’an Zen Temple.
3. Yingxian was synonymous with the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, and almost missed out on the Jingtu Temple. Fortunately, my companions reminded me of the necessity to admire the ceiling藻井藻井, a truly rewarding experience.
4. The Yanshan Temple in Fanshi, nestled in a secluded hamlet, is a national treasure, with the mural paintings in the Wenshu Hall a must-see, unlocked by a kindly elderly gentleman. Regrettably, I missed out on the Gongzhu Temple during this leg of the journey.
5. My visit to Wutai was primarily for religious purposes, with stops at the Wuye Temple, Shuxiang Temple, Shancai Cave, Dailuo Peak, and Guanghua Temple. Lodging the night before at an inn proximate to Guanghua Temple allowed for convenient morning strolls to these holy sites. Following check-out, I embarked on a brief hike to East Peak, driving out of the Wutai scenic area to the Hongmenyan parking area, whence I trekked to the summit of East Peak, offering prayers at the Wanghai Temple. The breathtaking scenery atop the peak was truly deserving of its namesake.
Due to time constraints, I postponed my visits to the Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple, and Guangji Temple in Wutai County for future occasions.
6. My final destination was Daixian, where the Daixian Confucian Temple was a must-visit, affording a serene experience amidst a sparse crowd of tourists. Unfortunately, a rainshower marred my plans, and I missed out on the Ayuwang Pagoda.
Wrapping up my journey, I drove back to Datong. The road from Datong to Wutai was fraught with narrow lanes, winding mountain roads, and intermittent roadworks, necessitating utmost caution when overtaking. Safety, above all else, is paramount when traveling afar.
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