Are you tired of the bustling city life? From time to time, our lives need a change of scenery. Some old towns or villages outside the city center could offer a taste of relaxed living and a quick getaway from the urban noise. If you are yearning for an intoxicating mix of ancient history, profound wine culture and rural life, Xinghua Village in north China's Shanxi Province is a perfect choice. 

I embarked on an enchanting tour to the village last week, where you are surrounded by cultural heritage and a unique wine culture. 

Located about 100 miles from the downtown of Taiyuan City, about a one hour drive, Xinghua Village is famous for its centuries-old wine culture and for being the hometown of "fenjiu," a type of Chinese liquor.

Old Fenjiu Workshop Ruins

Nestled inside a small alley, the Fenjiu Workshop Ruins is one of the primary tourist attractions at the Xinghua Village Cultural Scenic Area that you shouldn’t miss! A slow stroll around the alley immerses you in an atmosphere of history and culture.

The old workshop consists of north and south courtyards. At the end of the alley, on your left, you can see the "Xinghua's Historic Sites" built with old stone walls as well as a wooden gate, with two red lanterns hanging on the wall.

On the right side of the alley stands the "Fenjiu Workshop of Xinghua Village." Upon entering the old workshop museum, an old-fashioned tavern showing different kinds of Chinese fenjiu pops up in front of you. Walking through the tavern, you can see a courtyard that showcases the old-fashioned wine cellar, the exhibition hall of ancient fenjiu and its factory, presenting a shadow of the ancient fenjiu brewery. Today, this scenic spot is an important heritage site under state protection.

Fenjiu Museum 

When you come to Xinghua Village and want to explore the profound history of Chinese fenjiu, then the Fenjiu Museum is a must-visit destination. Situated inside the Fenjiu Group, the museum includes three main exhibition halls, offering the development and history of Chinese fenjiu. 

From the ancient painting and calligraphy of the famous poems related to fenjiu, the historical wine sets, to the exhibition of different kinds of fenjiu today, the Fenjiu Museum is an ideal place to see the liquor’s old and new. 

It's worth mentioning that there is a "drunk house" in the museum, which gives you a chance to experience what it's like to be drunk! Remember to try it before you leave! 

In addition, you can enjoy the graceful garden, which is situated next to the museum. It's exactly the place to recall from your childhood the famous Tang poem "Qing Ming" with the well-known line "Where can a tavern be found? A shepherd boy points to Xinghua Village in the distance."

Fenjiu Industrial Park 

Moving into the Fenjiu Industrial Park, not far away from the Fenjiu Museum, is as if you were entering the world full of fenjiu culture and its production. Standing on top of the cultural center in the park, you could easily get a panoramic view of the enormous fenjiu industrial park, which includes the enormous modern fenjiu breweries. 

Visitors are allowed to take a peek at the modern brewing workshop of Chinese fenjiu, but they should wear the foot and head covers to make sure the brewing workshop is clean. 

Today, thanks to the centuries-old history of fenjiu and its national intangible cultural heritage brewing techniques, the Fenjiu Cultural Scenic Area in Xinghua Village has become a 4A level tourist attraction that has attracted visitors from home and abroad.

Photographer: She Jingwei

Cover designed by Li Wenyi