Xi County, Linfen, Shanxi — known in ancient times as Xi Prefecture, rich in Buddhist charm and overflowing with the fragrance of pears. Integrating Xiaoxitian, Pear Expo Garden, Xi County Drum Tower, and Qilijiao Grottoes, it blends Buddhist art, pear township customs, and ancient city culture. A 2-day in-depth tour decodes the Zen and poetry of western Shanxi, capturing the unique charm of 'Ancient temples of the Western Paradise hide treasures, spring arrives in Xi Prefecture with snow-covered branches'.
Visit Xiaoxitian ancient temple to admire the wonder of suspended sculptures, tour Pear Expo Garden to taste sweet crisp pears, ascend the ancient city drum tower for a panoramic view of Xi Prefecture, explore Northern Wei grottoes to discover the legacy of stone carvings.
Morning explore Xiaoxitian, admire the treasures of Ming Dynasty suspended sculpture art. Afternoon ascend Xi County Drum Tower to overlook the ancient city layout, visit Jinxi Revolutionary Memorial Hall to recall the red history. Evening stroll through the ancient streets to experience Xi Prefecture's night scenery.
Morning visit Pear Expo Garden, observe crisp pear cultivation and pear blossom landscapes (best in spring), experience fruit picking fun. Afternoon explore Qilijiao Grottoes, appreciate Northern Wei stone carving art. Evening stroll through Shimagou Wetland Park, get close to nature, then return.
A traditional medicated diet processed from the national geographical indication product Xi County Crisp Pear. Made from fresh crisp pears, concentrated through 12 hours of slow simmering. Amber-colored, sweet in taste, with the effect of moistening the lungs and stopping coughs. It is a famous local health food and specialty product, with a folk saying: 'One spoonful of pear paste, no coughing for three autumns.'
Traditional Xi County pastry, made mainly from wheat flour, seasoned with sesame seeds, green onions, etc., baked over charcoal fire. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, savory and delicious. It can be eaten directly or filled with meat or vegetables. It is a common street snack with a history of over a hundred years.
Xi County festival traditional food, made from local soft yellow millet as the skin, wrapped with jujube paste or bean paste filling, deep-fried until golden. Soft, sticky, sweet, and aromatic, crispy outside and soft inside. Because Xi County soft millet has strong stickiness and rich fragrance, the oil cake has a unique flavor, making it an essential food for Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and other holidays.
Xi County farmhouse traditional meal, mixing millet, noodles, potatoes, vegetables, soybeans, etc., cooked together, served with chili and pickled vegetables. Rich in texture and nutritionally balanced, it embodies the dietary wisdom of 'fine processing of coarse grains' in western Shanxi. It is a common dish on local dining tables, warming the stomach and filling the belly.