Exploring the Taihang No. 1 Tourist Highway: Gems of Cultural History

太行一号旅游公路被誉为“中国北方最壮美的自驾走廊”，不仅串联起太岳山脉的雄浑风光，更承载着厚重的人文历史。沿着这条公路前行，仿佛翻开了一部流动的历史画卷。以下是三个不可错过的沿线人文历史景点，它们各具特色，共同展现了山西深厚的文化底蕴。

The Taihang No. 1 Tourist Highway is hailed as “China’s Most Magnificent Self-Driving Corridor in the North”. It not only connects the majestic landscapes of the Taiyue Mountains but also carries profound cultural and historical significance. Traveling along this route is like flipping through a flowing historical scroll. Below are three must-visit cultural and historical attractions along the way, each with its unique charm, collectively showcasing Shanxi’s rich heritage.

祁县乔家大院：北方民居建筑的瑰宝

Qixian County·Qiao’s Family Compound: A Jewel of Northern Residential Architecture

乔家大院是山西古城大院中的杰出代表，素有“皇家看故宫，民宅看乔家”的美誉。这座宏伟的建筑群完整保留了明清时期北方汉民族的民俗风情和晋商文化的精髓。漫步其中，精美的砖雕、木雕和石雕随处可见，每一处细节都诉说着乔家鼎盛时期的辉煌。乔家大院不仅是一座建筑艺术的宝库，更是晋商精神的历史见证，让游客仿佛穿越时空，感受昔日的繁华与智慧。

The Qiao’s Family Compound is a masterpiece among Shanxi’s ancient courtyard residences, often praised as “For royal architecture, visit the Forbidden City; for folk dwellings, see the Qiao’s Family Compound”. This grand architectural complex preserves the folk customs of the Han people in northern China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as the essence of Shanxi merchant culture. Inside, exquisite brick, wood, and stone carvings adorn every corner, each detail telling the story of the Qiao’s family’s golden age. More than just an architectural treasure, the compound stands as a historical testament to the spirit of Shanxi merchants, transporting visitors back in time to experience its former splendor and wisdom.

平遥古城：活着的明清商业博物馆

Pingyao Ancient City: A Living Museum of Ming and Qing Commerce

平遥古城是中国现存最完整的明清古城之一，曾是晋商的发祥地和商业金融中心。古城内，青砖灰瓦的街道、古朴的票号和镖局，无不散发着浓厚的历史气息。游客可以穿上中式服装，体验一回“晋商少奶奶”的生活，或是亲手制作陈醋、感受推光漆器的工艺，品尝地道的平遥牛肉。夜晚，大型情景体验剧《又见平遥》将晋商精神以震撼的方式呈现，让人沉浸其中。平遥古城不仅是一座城，更是一部活生生的历史教科书。

Pingyao Ancient City is one of China’s best-preserved ancient towns from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Once the birthplace of Shanxi merchants and a thriving financial hub, its streets are lined with gray-brick buildings, old-style banks, and security bureaus, exuding a strong historical ambiance. Visitors can dress in traditional Chinese attire to role-play as a “Shanxi Merchant’s Lady”, try their hand at making vinegar, experience the craft of polished lacquerware, or savor the famous Pingyao beef. At night, the immersive theatrical performance See Pingyao Again brings the spirit of Shanxi merchants to life in a captivating way. Pingyao is not just a city—it’s a living history book.