A memorable Trip to Northern China

Route of our 30 days trip to northern China  (15th Oct to 14th November 2012) :-
Beijing - Taiyuan - Jinzhou - Wutaishan - Hunyuan - Datong - Yingxian - Daixian - Ningwu - Dongzhai - Pianguan - Laoniuwan - Datong - Taiyuan - Pingyao - Jiexiu - Hongdong -  Linfen - Hukou - Yuncheng -  Yongji - Xian - Beijing

Local Chinese always says that the 1000 years history of China was in Beijing and the 3000 years history was in Xian but if any history longer than that, they advise you to go for Shanxi.. We visited this northern state of China in  autumn after its long national holidays in 2012.  We took a domestic flight from Beijing to its Capital Taiyuan, made use of the long distance bus service from towns to towns and hired private cars in rural areas, to  witness and admire  its enchanting natural scenery,  its inspired loess plateau and mountainous landscape, its abundant historical sites and its splendid Buddhist heritage.   Although we were not in a group, we faced  no problem to travel from one place to another, as connecting roads in China are now much improved and highways have also been very well developed.  It was indeed a memorable and wonderful trip.

The Province of Shanxi  situated on the Loess Plateau in the middle reach of Yellow River in Northern China, borders Inner Mongolia to its north and Henan to its south,  neighbors with  Shaanxi at west and Hebei at  east.   In short,  it was known as Jin as during Spring and Autumn period (770 - 476 BC), it was under the jurisdiction of Jin State.  Shanxi was one of the most important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, a home ground for China's  banking , Chinese ancient architecture, Chinese operas,  folk songs and dances.  Being  recognized  as the ancestral home of Chinese nation and the roots of many celebrities,  it is the place where many of the Chinese surnames originated. Shanxi is inhabited with 33 millions people making up from 35 ethnic groups.  The 156,300 sq. kilometer of land are mostly diverse landforms with mountains, plateau and basins,  boasting of  magnificent and scenic sights,  abounding in wildlife and mineral resources particularly the coal..

To understand the early civilization of China and to experience a different landforms of China, go Shanxi! I have done my trip, when would be yours?

Pictures captured at interesting sites in Shanxi are in my blog, log in and enjoy!