| Shanxi
briefing |  Shanxi,
literally meaning west of the mountains, was named for its location - west of
the Taihang Mountains. Shanxi, a province situated on a loess plateau, is one
of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Occupying 156,000 square kilometers, it
makes up 1.65 percent of the country's total area. Most of this area stands 1,000
meters above sea level, and hilly land accounts for 70 percent. The population
of the province is nearing 30 million.
Shanxi is demarcated by mountains,
the Taihang Mountains in the east, the Luliang Mountains in the west, the Hengshan
and Wutai mountains in the north, the Zhongtiao Mountains in the south, and the
Taiyue Mountains in the center. The crisscrossing rugged ranges of mountains are
splendid and imposing.Shanxi has six large basins - Datong, Xinzhou, Taiyuan,
Linfen, Yuncheng and Changzhi - and small basins scattered around the province,
including Yangquan, Shouyang, Xiangyuan, Licheng and Jincheng. The province
is also crosscut by numerous rivers from the two large water systems of the Yellow
and Haihe rivers. Shanxi enjoys a long history and a reputation for a rich
culture. Zaju Opera was very popular in Shanxi during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368).
In the southwest of the province, stages and frescoes depicting operas of the
Yuan Dynasty still remain. They reflect the golden age of opera. Today the province
is still called "the art museum of ancient times," for its splendid
Yellow River culture that was developed in the ancient land of Shanxi. Shanxi
is one of China's provinces that has the most historic sites. Besides the great
cultural sites, the province boasts beautiful natural scenery and unique folk
customs. The magnificent residences of merchants in the past are architectural
masterpieces, which represent the culture of the province. Shanxi boasts a variety
of cuisines. Their food made of wheat flour is well known both at home and abroad.
Hence the name "hometown of wheat food". Shanxi is opening its
door wider and wider. It welcomes domestic and foreign visitors, hoping they can
know more about the province through contact with the vibrant cultural atmosphere
and visit to historic sites, thus making the treasures of the province the common
property of all people. | | Yungang
Grottoes |  With
some 51,000 sculptures of varying sizes in 53 rock caves, the 1, 500-uear-old
Yungang Grottoes in west Datong is the largest cluster of grottoes in China and
a world-famous treasure house of art.
| | Mount
Wutai |  With
a vast assemblage of natural scenery, historical and cultural heritage, classic
architecture, Buddhism, and peculiar folkways, Mount Wutai Tourist Zone in the
county of the same name in northeast Shanxi is a welcome resort for those who
come for sightseeing, holidaymaking and recuperation purposes. The center of the
zone, Taihuai Town, is nestled in the mountains. Buddhism is thriving at Mount
Wutai, which is the domain of Bodhisattva Manjusri. Construction of Buddhist temples
began during the Eastern Han, and today 48 of them are still there, with several
hundred monks and nuns. Mount Wutai is a showcase of classical Chinese architecture,
sculpture and painting. Mount Wutai International Tourist Month is a major tourist
event, which takes place annually from July 25 to August 25. | | Yingxian
Wooden Tower |  Situated
in western Yingxian County, the tower is 70 kilometers away from Datong. It is
shaped in an octagon and is 67.13 meters high and 30 meters in diameter at the
bottom. A Liaodynasty structure, it was built in 1056. The wooden tower was completely
made of wood without a single nail used. On each story of the tower is displayed
calligraphy. The tower offers valuable information for the research of calligraphic
arts and the construction of the wooden tower.
| | Xuankong
Temple |  Xuankong,
or Suspended Temple, lies 5 kilometers east of the city of Yang- yuan, between
the two peaks of the Beiyue- Mountains. The temple has a history of more than
1,400 years. About 40 buildings survived are scattered halfway up the mountain
on the cliff face or slopes, from 26 to 50 meters above the foot of the mountain.
The temple buildings which seem to be hanging in midair on the cliffs are unique
in structure. Within the temple are numerous pictures and 78 color statues made
of copper, iron or stone.
| | Hukou
Waterfall |  The
waterfall lies along the Yellow River, 45 kilometers away from the county seat
of Jixian It is the second largest waterfall in China.
| | Qiao
Family's Courtyard House |  The
house, which belonged to a rich and famous Shanxi merchant family, is billed as
an emblem of the Shanxi culture that thrived as a result of Burgeoning local commerce.
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