Pingyao ancient city.[Photo by Kok Mun How/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Another site that amazed me was one provided by nature — the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, the mother river of China.

Many sites in Shanxi are related to the Yellow River, as it was a main source of transportation in the past. Many ports and bridges were built and destroyed by the river's strong current, and it was a challenge for the locals back then to build a bridge strong enough to withstand the current of the Yellow River.

About 1,500 years ago, the locals of Puzhou, which is now Yongji, built several iron oxen anchors that each weigh more than 70 metric tons to hold a floating bridge across the Yellow River. It was amazing to see these in person and I was astonished by the wisdom and workmanship of people back then.

The hotels that were arranged for us to stay in were among the best in each city we visited, which sums up how Shanxi was shown to me, with sights both beautiful and amazing and kind and helpful people.