Discover the Charms of Shanxi's Mysterious Ancient Cities | China Walking Tour

This time I visited four ancient cities in Shanxi.

Each one is very unique and represents Shanxi's long history and unique culture.

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Xinzhou Ancient City
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What a beautiful night view of Xinzhou ancient city in Shanxi province!

With a remarkable history spanning over 1,800 years, the city holds a prominent place on the historic and cultural tea route between China and Russia.

Throughout the ages, it served as a vital administrative center, guarding crucial mountain passes and acting as a bustling hub for trade and military activities. Its strategic significance has earned it the title of "the key to northern Shanxi".

As you enter Xinzhou Ancient City, it feels like you are stepping into a scene from a Chinese painting scroll. The rustic and elegant restaurants, teahouses and bookstores all blend together with traditional handicraft workshops and modern elements to create a new and captivating charm.

Visitors can also take part in a range of cultural activities, such as traditional handicraft workshops, calligraphy classes and local music and dance performances.

Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie or a person simply looking for a unique cultural experience, the ancient city of Xinzhou offers something for everyone.

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Wang Family Compound
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Built by Wang's family in Jinsheng, Shanxi during the Ming and Qing Dynasties for more than 300 years with over 250,000 square meters, Wang's family compound is one of the biggest and best-preserved ancient residential complexes in the traditional architectural style of northern Chinese.

When traveling Shanxi, many people may hear about Wang's Family Compound for its great fame. But the biggest and most classic residential family compound in Shanxi Province is located in Jingsheng Town, Lingshi County, namely Wang's family compound.

Wang's family was built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties for more than 300 years, including five lanes, six fortresses, and one street, with a total area of over 250,000 square meters.

It is exquisite, beautiful, novel, elegant, and delicate in many ways with the local residential and architectural features.

Therefore, there are the sayings in Shanxi, that "Back from Wang's Family Compound, there is no desire to expect better ones." and "the No. 1 family compound of China".

In 2008, it was listed in UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in the cultural category.

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Yuci Ancient City
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Located in Jinzhong city in the center of North China's Shanxi province, Yuci Ancient City was built during the Sui Dynasty (581-618).

Yuci Ancient City covers an area of 1 million square meters, with an area of 600,000 sq m covered by ancient buildings and gardens. The buildings there are majestic, colorful and exquisite in structure.

It is a typical ancient architectural complex -- reflecting the timeless integration of Chinese urban, political, religious, commercial culture and residential quarters.

There are eight major tourist attractions with different features in Yuci Ancient City. Various local folk art and customs shows also make the ancient site a tourist must-see for its Chinese folk culture and art.

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Pingyao Ancient City
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Pingyao Ancient City, with over 2700 years of history, still keeps its authentic layout and style intactly: long ancient city walls, elegant residences and courtyards, vertical and horizontal streets and alleys, scattered banks and escorts, all marked a prosperous county during Ming and Qing dynasties. Named one of the Four Most-preserved Ancient Cities in China, it was also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site which was listed with Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple in 1997.

Pingyao Ancient City was founded in Western Zhou Dynasty in 8th century BC, and got extension in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Up to now, it has survived from wars and modernization, being an older well-preserved ancient city in China than Lijiang Old Town, Huizhou Ancient City and Langzhong Ancient City, three other top ancient cities in China.

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0:00 Intro
1:38 Xinzhou Ancient City
1:05:58 Wang Family Compound
1:51:22 Yuci Ancient City
2:31:27 Pingyao Ancient City
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