临汾市
The old capital of Yao, and a city of early temples
Why this place
Linfen claims to be the capital of the legendary emperor Yao, and in Chinese terms it is a very old place. The surrounding countryside holds an unusual number of early temples and painted-sculpture halls that survived because Shanxi was never heavily rebuilt.
What to see
- Yao Temple, rebuilt many times but on a site venerated for millennia
- Guangsheng Temple at Hongtong, with Yuan murals and the Feihong Pagoda
- Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, 2 hours west — the biggest waterfall on the Yellow River
What to eat
- Linfen beef balls and lamb dishes
- Shanxi noodles — knife-cut, hand-pulled and shaved all appear on the same menu
Best time
April–May and September–October; Hukou is most spectacular after the summer rains
HSKHSK 3
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