Self-driving travel routes recommended in rural Shanxi

The Shanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Shanxi Recreational Vehicle Association recently put together 11 self-driving travel routes – designed to boost rural tourism and promote the development of the self-driving tour market in North China's Shanxi province.

Here are self-driving travel routes recommended in 11 cities across Shanxi province: 

Taiyuan city

Route: Xihuaiyuan village in Xugou town, Qingxu county -- Yangfang village in Mengfeng town, Qingxu County -- Wangwu village in Liujiabu town, Xiaodian district -- Hebei village in Tianchidian town, Loufan county -- Xiashi village in Miyuzhen town, Loufan county -- Fenglingdi village in Jingyou town, Loufan county -- Longquan village in Nitun town, Yangqu county -- Shang'an village in Huangzhai town, Yangqu county -- Matuo village in Donghuangshui town, Yangqu county

There are a variety of agricultural products available for purchase in villages on the route, along by scenic spots such as Yunding Mountain and Fenhe Reservoir.

Datong city

Route: Deshengbu village in Buziwan town, Xinrong district -- Gaoshan village in Gaoshan town, Yungang district -- Yangjiayao village in Kouquan town, Yungang district -- Beizifeng village in Nanyulin town, Hunyuan county -- Jianxi village in Huquan town, Guangling county -- Shenxi village in Yongan town, Hunyuan county -- Xiachehe village in Hongshileng town, Lingqiu county -- Shangbeiquan village in Hongshileng town, Lingqiu county -- Huata village in Duyu town, Lingqiu county. 

This route is mainly concentrated in Datong city in northwest of Shanxi. Many villages have been built along the Great Wall, forming a unique landscape. There are also historical sites from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) and groups of volcanoes along the route.

Shuozhou city

Route: Guangwu village in Zhangjiazhuang town, Shanyin county -- Shentou village in Shentou town, Shuocheng district -- Lugou village in Maxinzhuang town, Huairen -- Mayinghe village in Shahu Pass scenic area, Youyu county -- Ershiwuwan village in Shahu Pass scenic area, Youyu county -- Shahukou village in Shahu pass scenic area, Youyu county.

This route mainly displays the frontier fortress culture of Shuozhou, mostly related to the Great Wall.

Xinzhou city

Route: Laoniuwan village in Wanjiazhai town, Pianguan county -- Gucheng village in Yangjiawan town, Baode county -- Wujiazhuang village in Dajian town, Kelan county -- Songjiagou village in Songjiagou town, Kelan county -- Wangjiacha village in Wangjiacha town, Kelan county -- Wanghuagou village in Censhan town, Ningwu county -- Beihesuo village in Hesuo town, Xinfu district -- Xihetou village in Jinchang town, Dingxiang county -- Lutijian village in Zaolin town, Daixian county -- Boqiang village in Dongshan town, Fanshi county.

This route combines the scenery of the Yellow River and the Great Wall in Xinzhou city.

Lyuliang city

Route: Jiajiazhuang village in Jiajiazhuang town, Fenyang -- Renjiagou village in Xinyi town, Lishi district -- Yonghong village in Xinyi town, Lishi district -- Guihua village in Xinyi town, Lishi district -- Jundu village in Xuecun town, Liulin county -- Sanjiao village in Sanjiao town, Liulin county.

This route showcases scenery and culture in Lyuliang, where the culture of the Yellow River and the Loess Plateau merge.

Jinzhong city

Route: Hougou village in Wujinshan town, Yuci district -- Xiazhou village in Zongai town, Shouyang county -- Dazhai village in Dazhai town, Xiyang county -- Zecheng village in Matian town, Zuoquan county -- Shangwu village in Tongyu town, Zuoquan county -- Pianliang village in Heyu town, Yushe county -- Dayuping village in Houcheng town, Taigu district -- Beiguang village in Beiguang town, Taigu district -- Liangcun village in Yuebi town, Pingyao county -- Hengpo village in Duancun town, Pingyao county -- Zhangcun village in Zhanglan town, Jiexiu county-level city -- Nanzhuang village in Longfeng town, Jiexiu.

There are many ancient villages with some dating back to 1,000 years along the route, making it an ideal choice for tourists who are interested in exploring ancient rural Chinese dwellings.

Yangquan city 

Route: Wangtanzui village in Sunjiazhuang town, Yuxian county -- Zuizishang village in Xinanyu town, Jiaoqu district -- Hongyanling village in Chakou town, Pingding county -- Niangziguan village in Niangziguan town, Pingding county -- Qigen village in Donghui town, Pingding county -- Songjiazhuang village in Guanshan town, Pingding county -- Xiaohe village in Yijin town, Chengqu district -- Taolingou village in Pingtan town, Jiaoqu district -- Nanzhuang village in Jucheng town, Pingding county.

This route explores the ancient villages and the farming culture in the Taihang Mountains. 

Changzhi city

Route: Liyu village in Dayou town, Wuxiang county -- Zhuanbi village in Panlong town, Wuxiang county -- Foyadi village in Huangyadong town, Licheng county -- Xiazhuang village in Tinghepu town, Licheng county -- Chedang village in Yanggao town, Pingshun county -- Yuejiazhai village in Shicheng town, Pingshun county -- Xigou village in Xigou town, Pingshun county -- Dahe village in Qiaoshang town, Huguan county -- Nanpingtouwu village in Shipo town, Huguan county -- Zhenxing village in Xihuo town, Shangdang district -- Shiquan village in Fengyi town, Tunliu district.

This route allows visitors to take in the Taihang Grand Canyon and experience the thrilling mountain roads. It is also the place where the Eighth Route Army marched during War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), making it an ideal route for patriotic education activities.

Jincheng city

Route: Lianghu village in Yuanchun town, Gaoping county-level city -- Hepo village in Dadonggou town, Zezhou county -- Zhongzhuang village in Runcheng town, Yangcheng county -- Nanyang village in Tuwo town, Qinshui county -- Xingxi village in Manghe town, Yangcheng county -- Dongtou village in Chengqu district -- Niushan village in Chengqu district -- Situ village in Beishidian town -- Dongliuzhuang village in Jincun town, Zezhou county -- Zhanghe village in Fucheng town, Lingchuan county.

This route connects the mountains, rivers, ancient towns and villages in Jincheng city, featuring a combination of majestic natural and cultural landscapes. 

Linfen city

Route: Feiling village in Fucheng town, Anze county -- Fengbi village in Tangxing town, Yicheng county -- Chengnei village in Tangxing town, Yicheng county -- Nanlinjiao village in Beidong town, Quwo county -- Xihai village in Shicun town, Quwo county -- Chaoyang village in Licun town, Quwo county -- Dingcun village in Xincheng town, Xiangfen county -- Banershang village in Guanwangmiao town, Xiangning county -- Qiqili village in Gedi town, Yonghe county -- Dongzheng village in Gedi town, Yonghe county.

Linfen city is one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization and has one of the earliest farming cultures in China. The countryside along the route features ancient customs and complete ancient villages. 

Yuncheng city

Route: Longmen village in Qingjian sub-district, Hejin county-level city -- Yanjing village in Gaocun town, Wanrong county -- Beijian village in Wanquan town, Wanrong county -- Mapaoquan village in Xishe town, Jishan county -- Shangzhen village in Dongzhen town, Wenxi county -- Wangjiahe village in Sijiao town, Xiaxian county -- Dongkaizhang village in Kaizhang town, Yongji county-level city -- Xixiang village in Puzhou town, Yongji.

This route allows visitors to understand Chinese legends of thousands of years ago and experience the rich history and culture of Yuncheng.