|
|
|
| Destination ->
Shanxi province
|
|
| |
Legend tells us that the billowy Yellow River (Huang he) and the Yangtze River (Changjiang) are two huge dragons, acknowledged to be the cradles of ancient Chinese civilisation. Shanxi Province, in this case, has some of the most telling proof. Bisected by the Yellow River and overlooking Shaanxi Province across the waters, Shanxi contains evidence of the one of the oldest civilisations in China, and the world. |
|
|
|
Taiyuan| The original town of Taiyuan was first settled over 2,500 years ago. Lying in the heart of Shanxi Province, this area was strategically vital, separating the troublesome north and northwest from the prosperous, stable lands to the south and southeast. As the town grew it was here that frequent battles were fought, and this is indicated by the 27 temples that were dedicated to the god of war. The first proper invasion of the area was in 200 BC by the Mongols, and the town was in and out of war until the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD) was established. ...... |
|
| | more... |
| Datong| Datong is the second largest city in Shanxi, and is known by the locals as the coal capital (Meidu) for a good reason. Datong coal is everywhere: tons of it powering the whole of Shanxi and other cities beyond, piles of it chugging along the roads around town in Soviet style off-blue trucks, smears of it discovered on a face-wiped handkerchief. The city is one of China's most polluted and not only asthma sufferers should think twice before spending any amount of time in the city. Industrial and economic development has bounded in great leaps since the communists came to power in 1950, and huge swathes of the city have been altered into concrete. Despite all this travellers still have a few huge incentives to visit Datong, incentives that are all related to the town's ancient past....... |
|
| | more... |
| Wutaishan| Wutaishan is one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains (Si da fojiao mingshan), along with E'meishan, Jiuhuashan and Putuoshan. It is located close to the northeastern border of Shanxi, not far from both Datong and even the Great Wall (about 150km). The mountain is so named for the five terraces that form a coarse circle around a hilly valley. The tallest of these peak terraces is the northern peak, that jutts to 3058 meters above sea level, making it the largest in the north of China. The valley that these five peaks surround is centered upon a small village, Taihuai, that itself holds around 15 to 20 temples, and that is the focal point for travellers to start their trecking in the area....... |
|
| | more... |
|
|
Tel: +86 21 63051662