Discover Shanxi: The Boom of Ancient Architecture Tours in 2024

Foreign tourists enjoying the “Long Table Camellia Banquet” at Zhangbi Castle Scenic Area. Photo courtesy of the scenic area.

The launch of the video game “Black Myth: Wukong” has sparked a growing trend of exploring Shanxi, inspired by the game’s themes. According to data from Tongcheng Travel, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, bookings for attractions in Shanxi Province rose by an impressive 135% compared to last year. Cities like Taiyuan, Linfen, Datong, and Yuncheng saw particularly strong interest, with top spots like Jin Ci Museum, Guangsheng Temple, Yungang Grottoes, and Hanging Temple becoming popular favorites among visitors.

This year’s Mid-Autumn holiday featured a thriving cultural and tourism scene in Shanxi, with attractions hosting various activities to appeal to tourists. Local tourism authorities put numerous measures in place aimed at enhancing the overall travel experience for all guests.

During the festival, the Jincheng Huangcheng Xiangfu scenic area offered free and reduced admission for “Destined Ones.” Visitors could claim free or discounted entry by showing their ID, game purchase receipts for “Black Myth: Wukong,” or screenshots of completed game levels, drawing in many gaming fans to explore the scenic site. The day brimmed with non-heritage performances, interactive storytelling, and local folk shows, creating a festive atmosphere of reunion and celebration for attendees.

At Qiao’s Compound, the “Qiao Courtyard Stamp Collection” event captivated young tourists, who collected stamps while touring the area for a chance to win prizes such as the “Black Myth: Wukong” Ruyi Golden Cudgel, WeGame activation codes, and traditional Shanxi treats like hollow mooncakes and aged vinegar. Participants engaged in fun activities, including marriage customs performances, riddle games, DIY rabbit figurine crafts, and a showcase of traditional performances featuring Qitai Yangge, Jin opera, and folk songs, enriching their travel adventures with cultural significance.

This year, the National Style Cultural Festival at Jin Ci Museum coincided perfectly with the Mid-Autumn Festival, offering immersive “Journey to the West” tours, situational performances, poetry readings, and cultural exhibits. Guests interacted daily with the iconic characters from “Journey to the West,” while a themed photo area based on the 1986 adaptation drew large crowds, blending historical insights with modern entertainment.

The Zhangbi Ancient Castle hosted a traditional yet stylish Mid-Autumn garden party, drawing numerous foreign visitors to join Chinese tourists at long tables for a “Long Table Tea and Flower Banquet.” Lined with long tables brimming with a variety of traditional snacks and flowers, the lively setting welcomed hundreds to relish tea, take in the beauty of flowers, and indulge in tasty food. Performances including Hanfu parades, suona music, and traditional Mid-Autumn activities like lantern lighting and moon worship enriched the celebrations. Huang Kangjian, the PR manager for the scenic area, shared, “We hope events like the Long Table Tea and Flower Banquet provide tourists the chance to enjoy authentic traditional cuisine and appreciate the richness and unique charm of Chinese culture. Throughout the day, we feature many themed events to further enhance visitors’ experiences.”

Amidst the excitement of “Traveling Shanxi with Wukong,” authentic Shanxi cuisine and traditional Jin-style residences have garnered significant attention from tourists. In Pingyao Ancient Town, classic dishes such as Stir-Fried Tofu, Hunyuan Cold Noodles, and Guoyou Meat remain immensely popular. Some restaurants have creatively infused cultural themes into their menus, like the Tianyuan Northern Wei Family Feast, which includes favorites such as smoked pork hocks, Hu Bing, and Pingcheng roast chicken, all within an ambiance reminiscent of traditional Jin-style residences, allowing visitors to feel transported back in time.

To prepare for the holiday influx, tourism departments and attractions across Shanxi made thorough preparations in advance. In Datong’s Yungang District, over 3,000 parking spots were arranged in public areas like Jinhua Palace Middle School and Xiaozhan Village to accommodate the sudden surge of visitors. Emergency shuttle services were established in Xiaozhan Village, the main access route to the Yungang Grottoes, ensuring efficient transportation for guests. Shou City’s Chongfu Temple offered complimentary hot water, charging stations, and item storage for convenience. From September 1 to October 31, a limited quantity of 200 travel documents and 400 themed postcards were distributed daily to meet tourist demand. Meanwhile, the Muta Scenic Area in Yuncheng launched a “Real-life Wukong’s Journey through the Millennia” event, featuring themed checkpoints and interactive time-travel dialogues, encouraging visitors to relax and extend their stay.

According to a travel summary released by Ctrip on September 17 regarding the 2024 Mid-Autumn holiday, the popularity of Shanxi’s ancient architecture tours is remarkable. Tourism orders in Datong, Xinzhou, and Shuozhou increased by nearly 40% compared to the Dragon Boat Festival, with young travelers emerging as the primary visitors to various beloved attractions in Shanxi.

The excitement surrounding Shanxi ancient architecture tours continues strong. On social media, many users have expressed their enthusiasm: “’Traveling Shanxi with Wukong’ is incredibly popular right now! We’ve already booked our train tickets for a family trip to Shanxi during National Day!” and “I can’t wait to sample Shanxi cuisine, immerse myself in its culture, and admire its ancient architecture. This year, I must visit Shanxi!”