The 5-day self-driving itinerary from Shenyang to Shanxi is as follows:

Day 1: Depart from Shenyang - Pingyao Ancient City

  • Morning: Depart from Shenyang and head to Pingyao Ancient City along the Shenhai Expressway.
  • Noon: Arrive in Pingyao and enjoy local specialty lunch.
  • Afternoon: Visit Pingyao Ancient City Wall, Rishengchang Bank, and Pingyao County Government.
  • Evening: Stay at a special inn in Pingyao Ancient City.

Day 2: Pingyao - Qiao Family Courtyard - Qixian Ancient City

  • Morning: Visit the Qiao Family Courtyard and learn about Shanxi merchant culture.
  • Noon: Have lunch in Qixian County.
  • Afternoon: Visit the ancient city of Qixian, visit the ancient city wall of Qixian and the Confucian Temple of Qixian.
  • Evening: Check into the inn in Qixian Ancient City.

Day 3: Qi County - Pingyao Ancient City - Jinzhong Courtyard - Taiyuan

  • Morning: Go to Jinzhong Courtyard and visit the Jinzhong Courtyard Group.
  • Noon: Taste local delicacies in Taiyuan.
  • Afternoon: Arrive in Taiyuan and visit Jinci Temple and Tianlongshan Grottoes.
  • Evening: Check into hotel in Taiyuan city.

Day 4: Taiyuan - Mount Wutai

  • Morning: Depart from Taiyuan and head to Mount Wutai.
  • Noon: Have dinner near Mount Wutai.
  • Afternoon: Visit Mount Wutai, visit Tayuan Temple, Bodhisattva Peak, Great Manjusri Hall, etc.
  • Evening: Check into the hotel in Wutai Mountain Scenic Area.

Day 5: Mount Wutai - Shenyang

  • Morning: Visit other scenic spots in Mount Wutai, such as Wuye Temple, Guanyin Cave, etc.
  • Noon: Dinner at Wutai Mountain.
  • Afternoon: Return to Shenyang and end the pleasant journey.

Accommodation suggestions:

  • Pingyao Ancient City: Choose the characteristic inns in the ancient city, such as Pingyao Rishengchang Inn, Pingyao Ruiyun Inn, etc.
  • Qixian Ancient City: Recommend inns in Qixian Ancient City, such as Qixian Guyun Inn, Qixian Ancient City Renjia, etc.
  • Taiyuan: Choose hotels in Taiyuan city, such as Taiyuan Ruicheng Hotel, Taiyuan Jinshang International Hotel, etc.
  • Wutai Mountain: Choose a hotel in the Wutai Mountain Scenic Area, such as Wutai Mountain Golden Pavilion Hotel, Wutai Mountain Auspicious Hotel, etc.

I hope this itinerary is helpful to you, and I wish you a happy trip!