Journalists and travel writers take a photo at Qiao's Grand Courtyard. [Photo by Li Mengyuan/ For chinadaily.com.cn]

In July a group of 14 foreign journalists, travel writers, diplomats and press photographers traveled to Shanxi at the invitation of China Daily and the Shanxi Tourism Authority. The five-day tour included some of the most popular destinations in the North China province — the ancient city of Pingyao, Qiao's Grand Courtyard, the Hanging Monastery, Wutai Mountain and the Yungang Grottoes. The following are impressions from the group members.

While expanding business sectors are gradually changing the cityscapes into metropolitan areas of international standard, the calmer side of Shanxi still remains and is ready to be explored. This is where the real cultural treasures of the province are to be discovered and from where traditional customs, stories and myths have spread all over China, becoming an integral part of the country’s historical past.

Marcel Schneider, attaché, Switzerland

As a food lover, I was lucky to sample all kinds of local dishes, from noodles to fried buns with red bean paste and dishes with meat that melted on my tongue. I especially remember the cold noodles with vegetables and vinegar; which I could definitely eat every day. My opinion of Shanxi has changed, in a positive way. I now know Shanxi has a lot more to offer than just the Yungang Grottoes and Pingyao. I would love to go hiking and camping in Shanxi one day and would recommend others do so also.

Yvonne Horst, travel blogger, Netherlands

Shanxi's history is a rich one. From China's first banks to its tofu barons, it offers a mass amount of cultural spectacle; but its cuisine runs as deep as its mines, unearthing gastronomic gems for even the most precious of palates.