Katherine explores Shanxi's ancient fortresses, cave houses, and unique noodles on a bike tour, experiencing spontaneous local hospitality and a real-life time.
Travel Guides & Tips in this video
In this video, Katherine and Asa John embark on a captivating journey through Shanxi Province, a region where time seems to stand still. From exploring ancient fortresses built 2,000 years ago to getting lost in the mazes of hole dwellings carved into the Loess Plateau, their bike tour is a real-life adventure. They discover a rural world still alive with local traditions, like spontaneous birthday banquets blocking country roads, and temples where the locals share vegetarian meals and explain the etiquette of not offending deities with stinky breath. The video is a vivid time capsule of a China that is both ancient and vibrantly present.
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30 min
2025
Ancient Chinese Fortresses & Temples: Everyday Life & Cuisine
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Exploring Ancient Shanxi Fortresses & Cave Houses by Bike
Step into a real-life time machine with Katherine as she explores ancient Chinese fortresses and temples, discovering everyday life and unique cuisine. This video is part of her rural China series, offering an authentic glimpse into a world where history and modern life intertwine. From the rustic charm of fortress walls to the flavors of local dishes, every moment is a journey back in time. Don't miss this captivating adventure!
Attractions in this video: Jinci Temple, Pingyao Ancient City, Dento Village, My Mountain, Ji Mountain, Loess Plateau, Dragon Mouth Cave
More about the current video:(Published on 2025-12-04)
In this video, Katherine and Asa John explore the Shanxi province in China, which Katherine declares her favorite on their entire North China bike tour. The region is celebrated for its countless ancient fortresses and temples, made exceptionally well-preserved by the dry climate.
Their journey begins in the capital, Taiyuan, where they stop for river snail noodles before visiting the bustling Jinci Temple, a 1,500-year-old architectural patchwork. They then cycle towards the ancient village of Dento, discovering a maze of abandoned cave houses, a traditional dwelling carved directly into the Loess Plateau. The dry climate that preserves the wood architecture also triggers Katherine's eczema, but she deems it worth it.
The duo stumbles upon a local Chinese opera performance, a fading art form whose audience today consists mainly of grandparents. They also enjoy a hearty lamb soup and a unique steamed bread dish before heading towards the highlight of the trip: the ancient fortress city of Pingyao. This 3,000-year-old
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
Q: What were the cat ear noodles like?
A: No cats were harmed. It is a noodle shape, and every bite is different, making the texture never boring.
Q: What was the most surprising thing about the birthday party?
A: They blocked the road and invited us to join. We got bowls of scissor cut noodles and jars of tangerines!
Q: Is it true that you don't need a ticket to enter the dragon mouth cave?
A: Yes, we just walked right into the dragon's mouth on My Mountain, though it was covered in graffiti.
Q: Why is Shanxi so good for old buildings?
A: The super dry climate doesn't break things down quickly, so the wood structures last for centuries.
Q: What was the vinegar like from the temple?
A: The red date vinegar tasted more like molasses than vinegar or dates. It explains why they have vinegar ice cream!
