The name literally means "west of the mountains" (west of the Taihang Mountains).
Capital: Taiyuan (太原).
Nickname/abbreviation: Jin (晋) – dates back to the ancient Jin Kingdom (春秋 period).
Nicknames: "Chinese Ancient Culture Museum" and "Coal Province".
Shanxi is world-famous for its vast coal reserves (one of the largest coal producers in the world) and heavy industry, as well as for its extremely rich history and culture.
Main highlights, World Heritage Sites & attractions:
Yungang Grottoes (near Datong – giant Buddhas).
Mt. Wutai (one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains).
Pingyao Ancient City (almost perfectly preserved Ming/Qing Dynasty city + old banks).
Hanging Monastery (Zhonghuay Cave Monastery).
Jinci Temple, ancient wooden architecture.
History: cradle of Chinese civilization (Yao, Shun, and Yu legends), over 3,000 years of written history, many ancient capitals (including Taiyuan).
In short: Shanxi = coal + history + ancient temples + loess landscape in one province!
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