Shanxi, China

Why go


• Majestic mountain ranges.
• Old China temples and monasteries, most notably the Xuankong (hanging) Monastery.
• Carnival-like cultural shows at the Yao Miao.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Pingyao


What you need to know


Climate: Continental monsoon
Area: 156,800 sq km
Population: 33,350,000
Density: 213/sq km
Major cities: Taiyuan, Datong, Changzhi, Yangquan, and Pingyao
Major ethnic groups: Han (99.7%), Hui (0.2%)


Did you know that…the province of Shanxi lies on a plateau and is surrounded by mountains, the highest of which is Mt. Wutai, where a portion of the Great Wall of China runs to the border between Shanxi and Inner Mongolia?


Where to stay


To find the best hotels in Shanxi see the Visiting China special feature on Shanxi Hotels.