Overview
Shanxi ("mountain west") is a landlocked province west of the Taihang Mountains, famed as the cradle of Chinese civilization and the heartland of ancient architecture, coal and vinegar.
Province
Shanxi
山西省 · Capital: 太原
Map & Prefectures
Loading map…
Tip: click a prefecture on the map to open its page.
Prefecture-level cities
Taiyuan太原Jinzhong晋中Datong大同Jincheng晋城Shuozhou朔州Yuncheng运城Xinzhou忻州Linfen临汾Lüliang吕梁Yangquan阳泉Changzhi长治
Read articles about Shanxi → About Shanxi
Geography
A plateau cut by the Yellow River and its tributaries, Shanxi is bounded by mountains on the east and the Loess Plateau on the west. Its terrain is largely loess hills and river valleys.
History
Shanxi was the base of the legendary Yan and Huang emperors and the site of the early Tangyu state. It preserves the largest number of intact wooden structures from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties anywhere in China.
Culture
Shanxi is the birthplace of many forms of Chinese opera (such as Jinju), and of the great Ming–Qing merchant families (the Jin merchants). Its courtyard homes and fortified villages (e.g., Pingyao, Wang Family Compound) are architectural treasures.
Cuisine
Shanxi is China's vinegar capital, famous for mature vinegar (laochencu). Staples include knife-cut noodles (daoxiao mian), cat's-ear pasta and hearty braised lamb.
Highlights
Don't miss the ancient city of Pingyao, the Yungang Grottoes, the Hanging Temple at Hengshan, and the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian.