Black Myth Shanxi Route: Datong, Taiyuan & Pingyao in 5 Days
Follow the Black Myth: Wukong filming trail across Shanxi — Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, Wutai Mountain and Pingyao.
OpenStreetMap Google Maps (opens externally)
Shanxi is China’s open-air museum of ancient architecture — and the video game Black Myth: Wukong turned its temples and grottoes into a pilgrimage route. This five-day trail strings together the game’s biggest filming sites and some of the finest ancient buildings in China.
The route at a glance
| Day | Stop | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Datong | Yungang Grottoes |
| 2 | Datong | Hanging Temple, Wooden Pagoda |
| 3 | Wutai Mountain → Taiyuan | Tang-era temples |
| 4 | Taiyuan | Jinci, museums |
| 5 | Pingyao | The ancient walled city |
Days 1–2 — Datong
- Day 1: the Yungang Grottoes — 53 caves and 50,000+ Buddhas carved from the 5th century, a UNESCO site and the route’s centerpiece. See our Datong guide.
- Day 2: the Hanging Temple on its cliff, then the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda — the world’s oldest wooden tower. Both are Black Myth locations.
Day 3 — Wutai Mountain, then Taiyuan
- Morning: the Tang-dynasty temples of Wutai Mountain — Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple are among the oldest wooden buildings in China and both appear in the game.
- Afternoon: on to Taiyuan, Shanxi’s capital, by rail.
Day 4 — Taiyuan
- Jinci — a thousand-year-old ancestral temple complex with the famous ‘Flying Bridge’.
- Museums: the Shanxi Museum for the province’s Buddhist and bronze treasures, and the Northern Qi murals museum if time allows.
Day 5 — Pingyao
The Pingyao ancient city — a perfectly preserved Ming/Qing walled town, best wandered on foot (or a rented bike) through its lanes, temples and merchant houses. Stay a night inside the walls if you can, and see the nearby Shuanglin Temple’s painted sculptures.
More time? Add the Xiaoxitian (Xixi) in Linfen — the small, jewel-box hall of painted statues that Black Myth players know well — or the Guangsheng Temple pagoda near Hongtong.
Practical tips
- Book the top sights online ahead — the Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple sell out on holidays.
- Getting around: rail for the main hops, taxis for the sites — see our train guide.
- What to eat: Shanxi is famous for its noodles — knife-cut noodles, mianpi and the local vinegar culture; Pingyao is the food highlight.
- Payment and data: set up Alipay and an eSIM before you arrive.
Where this fits
This route works as an add-on to a Beijing trip (Datong is 1h40 by rail) or a standalone ancient-China journey. It links naturally to our first-timer planner and the Silk Road route for the archaeology-minded.
Prices and times as of August 2026 — confirm current tickets and schedules before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Black Myth Shanxi route?
The video game Black Myth: Wukong scanned 36 real heritage sites across China — 27 of them in Shanxi — to build its ancient Chinese landscapes. This route visits the big ones: the Yungang Grottoes, the Hanging Temple and the Wooden Pagoda around Datong, Wutai Mountain's Tang temples, and Pingyao's ancient walled city.
How many days do I need?
Five days is comfortable: two around Datong, one at Wutai Mountain, one for Taiyuan, and one for Pingyao. With four days, drop Taiyuan and spend the last day in Pingyao. See our [Datong guide](https://chinotrips.com/datong/) for the northern anchor.
How do I get between the stops?
High-speed rail links Datong, Taiyuan and Pingyao conveniently; Wutai Mountain and the Hanging Temple are reached by taxi or shuttle from the rail stations. Book rail with your passport — see our [train guide](https://chinotrips.com/how-to/train-tickets/).
Do I need to book the main sights ahead?
Yes for the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple on weekends and holidays — both use timed entry and sell out. Book online with your passport before you go.
Is this route suitable for someone who hasn't played the game?
Absolutely — the architecture stands on its own as some of China's greatest ancient Buddhist and wooden construction. The game connection is a bonus for players, but Datong and Pingyao are must-sees regardless.