Shanxi Province has a history of about 3,000 years. Its main industries include coal, metallurgy, machinery, and chemicals. Transportation is very convenient and it is easy access to any part of the country, either by air, rail or by land. Prime tourist attractions are Chongshan Temple (or Temple Where Goddess Is Esteemed), Jin Memorial Temple, Monastery of Endless Happiness, Yungang Grottoes, Suspending Temple (or Temple in the Mid-Air on Mt. Heng ), and Mount Wutai.

Mount Wutai

With a perimeter of 250 kilometres, Mount Wutai is one of the four famous Buddhist shrines in China. It enjoys the same popularity as Mount Emei in Sichuan Province, and Mount Putuo in Zhejiang Province, and Mount Jiuhua in Anhui Province. The five platform-shaped peaks, the East, West, South, North, and Central platforms formed Mount Wutai. The area inside the five peaks is called Inner Wutai and outside Outer Wutai. At the East Platform (Sea- Viewing Peak ), the tourist can observe sunrise; at the West Platform (Hanging Moon Peak ), the tourist can enjoy a bright full moon in mid-autumn when the scenery is fascinating; at the South Platform (Brocade Peak ),the tourist can. mount the summit of the peak in summer and look around into the distance, where the scenery is enchanting; the elevation of the North Platform (Y edou Peak ) is the highest3,058 metres, being the roof of North China, and is snow-and ice-capped all the year round, looking magnificent; at the Central Platform (Verdant Rock Peak),huge rocks covered by moss appear radiantly green under sunshine like seething dragons, hence the name .. dragon-seething rocks." The area of Mount Wutai features rising and falling ridges and peaks, crisscross gullies and ravines, river valleys, luxuriant forests and interlocking basins and mountains.

More charming is the unique climate at Mount Wutai. At the coldest spots ice does not melt all the year round; at fairly cold places, it snows in September and thaws in April the following year; at the warmest places, rivers do not freeze and there is no frost the year round. At Mount Wutai the difference in humidity is very great. As the climate here is cool even in mid-summer, Mount Wutai is also known as Cool Mountain. The unique climate brings about unique scenery. Climbing up the summit of North Platform, the tourist sees peaks competing with one another for beauty among seething clouds. Sometimes, it rains heavily at the foot of the mountain, but the sun shines atop the summit; spring is very much in the air at the base, while the summit is covered with snow and ice. Climbing up the mountain on a fine day, the tourist will find a colourful semi-circular halo appearing by his side. The halo is about three metres high and about two metres wide, composed of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple belts. One's shadow and movements will be reflected in the halo (a bright circle of light, as around the sun or moon in misty weather). It is the reflection at Mount Wutai, the meteorological feature also known as the "Emei Halo. "

Mount W utai, the Buddhist shrine, is said to be the place where Manjusri Buddha was consecrated. During the period 58 to 75, Emperor Ming Di (58-75) sent an envoy to go on a pilgrimage to India for Buddhist scriptures. After returning to the homeland, the envoy built the White Horse Temple at Luoyang and, in the following year, built a temple at Mount Wutai. Legend has it that the peak to the west of the town of Taihuai resembled Divine Vulture Mountain in India, the newly built temple was named the Tafu Temple of the Divine Vulture, which is today the Temple of Revelation .In the following years, more and more temples were constructed at Mount Wutai during the Northern Wei, Northern Qi, Sui, and Tang dynasties until the end of the Qing Dynasty. According to historical records, there were more than 300 temples during the heyday of Mount Wutai. However, due to social vicissitudes, the temples at Mount Wutai experienced several rises and falls. Today, there are still 39 temples remaining in Inner Wutai and 8 temples in Outer Wutai, making a total of 47 temples. Among the temple at Mount Wutai, Nanchan Temple , the Temple of Buddha's Halo , the Temple of Revelation , Dagoba Temple , Buddha Summit , Shuxiang Temple , Bishan Temple , Dragon Spring Temple , Nanshan Temple , Jinge Temple , Zhenhai Temple and Dailuo Summit are the most influential ones. The above-mentioned temples are not only magnificent and exquisite in structure, but also preserve large quantities of valuable cultural relics and art works of Buddhism. The ·coloured sculpture and mural of the Tang Dynasty, the white marble carvings of the Qing Dynasty, the Jade Buddha of Myanmar and Huayan Scripture Pagoda are all unique in China.

Cool and tranquil, Mount Wutai is a famous summer resort. To know you must go!

Mid-Air Temple at Mount Heng

Located in a canyon at the foot of the Mount Heng, and built in the later period of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), the temple hung in mid-air is a rare piece of architecture of its kind in China. The existing 400-halllhouse/ building/pavilions, all of wooden structure, are scattered around in different secluded spots or on steep cliffs between 26 and 50 metres from the bottom up. Constructed on mechanical principles, it stands propped up by hidden rocks and based on flying beams, with pillars and beams in one integrated whole and corridor balustrades well connected together. Unique, difficult of access and ingeniously built, it is, as a local saying goes, hung by three horsetails suspending in the air. "Inside the temple are more than 80 bronze cast statues, iron cast statues, and clay sculptured statues and stone carvings handed down from different dynasties.

Dazhai

A small village in Xiyang County of North China's Shanxi Province, symbolized the spirit of combating against nature by turning barren hills into terraced fields and achieving unimaginable abundance. The former village head Chen Yonggui (1914-1986) was promoted to national vice-premier for agriculture.

As a "pace-setter" in China, Dazhai even attracted the interest of many overseas leaders. During its 10 years of glory, millions of people from home and abroad visited the village. Dazhai's 50 hectares (125 acres) of farmland was scattered in nearly 5,000 small patches of infertile land on Hutou (Tiger Head) Hill. This unfavourable situation was made worse by frequent natural disasters, ranging from drought to torrential rains. For generations, soil erosion was a major headache for local farmers.

In the early 1960s, the people of Dazhai decided to remake nature. They blew up much of the Tiger Head Hill and used the rocks to build stretches of flat land. The villagers then filled these areas V\>ith soil carried, bucket by bucket, from areas faraway from the hill. Construction of terraces connected the previously small patches of arid land into larger fields; this laid a foundation for- agricultural mechanization. But the once popular village was almost ignored by outsiders in the 1980s, when China began to implement its reform and opening-up. For more than a decade, Dazhai was left out of the mainstream of China's economic reforms. This situation did not change until the return, in 1991, of former "iron girl" Guo Fenglian, head of the village after Chen Yonggui (1914-1986). She was determined to rejuvenate her once-famous village. DraVl>ing on the experiences of developed rural areas, Guo Fenglian led the people of Dazhai to walk toward prosperity on two legs-agriculture and industry. In a bid to increase agricultural productivity, the village has installed pipes as long as 36,000 metres under the earth to transfer water for efficient irrigation. A village committee is responsible for overall management of the farm work, which organizes planting and harvesting for the entire village, using collectively owned agricultural machinery. Mechanization had freed part of Dazhai's labour force from traditional agriculture, making it possible for the village to develop industry. The village has so far established a number of enterprises, involved in coal mining, construction materials, clothing and chemicals. To use the fame of Dazhai to develop tourism, some tourism facilities including an exhibition centre, a forest park, and a restaurant have been built. Guo Fenglian's hard work has won her a number of titles. She was honoured as a model worker and was elected vice-president of the Shanxi provincial women's league.

Huozhou

Millions of tourists both at home and abroad have already visited Beijng's Summer Palace, which is more than 200 years old. Now they have the chance to see China's oldest Summer Palace, which was built more than 4,000 years ago. Still well preserved, it is the "Summer Palace of Y ao, " which hides behind the small, ancient city of Huozhou, Shanxi Province . The Summer Palace serves as one of the tourist attractions that Huozhou is going to promote itself through the 2000 Huozhou Tourism Festival from September 28 to October 28, 2000. The festival was a cultural and natural gala for all tourists from home and abroad. An important military, economic and political stronghold in China's history, Huozhou inherits a glorious blend of culture, tradition and folklore. Lots of stories and legends are still remembered by local people. Many tales are told about Yao, one of China's earliest legendary kings from more than 4,000 years ago. Yao often went to Huozhou during his regular inspection tours, and there he had his Summer Palace built. Surprisingly, the "Summer Palace of Y ao" was still preserved well in Huozhou city after weathering 4, 000 years of natural and social destruction. Yao was said to have left footsteps in every corner of the Huozhou area.

Another must-see historic site in Huozhou is the old residence of the local government of Huozhou, which has retained its original charm through centuries since its establishment in the Tang Dynasty. The grand complex amazes renowned Chinese experts of architecture, Liang Sicheng (1901-1972), who called it a unique example of ancient Chinese-building.

Huozhou is a city of historic charm. It was an important city of the Jin State during the Warring States period. In addition to its historic charms, Huozhou also boasts a great many stimulating natural splendours, such as Qili Valley. Boasting abundant tourism and forest resources, Qili is one of China's national forest parks. With clouds curling up mountains, vast primeval forests, and steep gorges, Qili is a captivating place that charms the tourist. Huozhou and its Qili Valley demonstrate the harmonious co- existence between man and nature, which was the reason for the first festival with the theme "Harmony of Man, Nature and Culture," featured both historic relics and natural wonders.

Hukou Waterfalls

Hukou Waterfalls is the second largest one in China. The 30-metre-wideHukou Waterfalls at the juncture of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces has a drop of more than 20 metres. It is formed by the Yellow River water roaring through a narrow passage flanked by green mountains.

Universal Salvation (Pujiu) Monastery

The Tang-dynasty monastery in Yongji County, Shanxi Province, enjoys widespread renown for having provided the setting for a love story in The Western Chamber , a Chinese classical drama. The monastery originally had a very large compound, but now only a Yingying Pagoda is left intact. Revamped in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the pagoda is a hollow one. A strike at its middle part with a stone will evoke an echo like the cackling of a frog. Also called Echo Pagoda, it is one of the four famous echo structures in China.

Guanque (Stork) Tower

Reconstruction of the main building of an ancient Guanque (Stork) Tower in Yongji City, North China's Shanxi Province, was completed in early 2001 after three years' work. Originally completed in 580, the building was one of the four noted ancient towers in China. The other three towers include the Yellow Crane Tower in Hubei Province, the Yueyang Tower in Hunan Province, and the Prince Teng Pavilion in Jiangxi Province, which have been revamped respectively.

Situated in the old town of Puzhou, the city of Yongji, Guanque Tower was first constructed in the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557-581) and was destroyed during wars in 1272.

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

Yingxian Wooden Pagoda-the world's oldest and tallest wooden pagoda was first built in 1056 in the Liao Dynasty (907-1125). It has become fragile after weathering climatic changes, numerous earthquakes and cannon attacks. Technicians repaired it. The elevated platform has been built for visitors to have a close look at the pagoda and the repair work. Towering 67.13 metres, the octagonal pagoda known as the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is not only. the tallest but also the oldest existing wooden pagoda in the world. It is one of the few surviving examples of a major Song-dynasty pagoda, rich in detail, dynamic in bracketing, and noble in proportion. The pagoda is 115 years older and 12.57 metres taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa * in Italy (the Leaning Tower of Pisa stands 54.56 metres tall). A panel of experts was sent to examine the pagoda in 2000. They said the building was on the verge of being destroyed by strong winds or an earthquake. The Chinese Government is determined to save the pagoda at all costs.

In 2001, hoping to save the world's oldest and tallest wooden pagoda, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage called for ideas from both domestic and overseas experts. The administration had three possible repair plans to prevent the collapse of the pagoda, but authorities seeked more suggestions or help before deciding on a plan of action. The repair plan of choice was selected in 2002 and was funded by the State Council. Earthquakes, winds, precipitation and its own 5, 700-ton weight have taxed the building since its construction in 1056. Column heads and ridge beams were twisted and broken. More than 50 famous experts were invited to the site and discussed how to repair it while preserving its original appearance. The administration has invested more than 8 million yuan (US $ 965, 000) in researching the problem.

A group of more than 40 experts on architecture and historical relics protection gathered together in early] une 2002 in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province, to appraise the renovation project on the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. The pagoda, which was built in the 11 th century, is an absolute wooden structure that does not have a single nail. As one of the oldest and largest wooden structures in the world, the 97-metre high wooden pagoda is a wonder in architecture history. These experts, seven of whom are academicians at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, have come up with a scheme of renovation based on four plans after the three-day workshop.

Pingyao -An Ancient City

Pingyao, a well known ancient city in Shanxi Province, has relocated more than 20,000 residents out of the city in the period 2002 to 2006 to better protect this World Cultural Heritage site. The city was built 2,000 years ago. It haswell-preserved the ancient city walls, residences, government offices, and stores of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. Therefore, UNESCO inscribed the city on the World Cultural Heritage list in 1997. Encompassing 2.25 square kilometres, the city has a population of 45,000. To restore the original outlook of the ancient city, the local government has decided to relocate residents in the downtown area. At the same time, the city government has made great efforts to improve the local environment. Thirty polluting enterprises around the city have been closed, with 30 chimneys and more than 400 coke furnaces being demolished at the same time.