The Old Town of Pingyao. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/China Daily]

But no matter how different we might all seem, we have one thing in common: We consciously chose to live in China and we want to discover more of this beautiful country.

The official welcome and review of the agenda for the coming days were followed by a fantastic dinner in the Jinyunlou restaurant. Particularly impressive was the noodle show. Shanxi Province is famous for its handmade noodles — hand-kneaded, hand-pulled and knife-shaved.

It is said that Shanxi is the home of the Chinese noodle and that it is the province Marco Polo visited before he took the recipes back to Italy and Europe.

On the first day of the trip we visited the Jinci Temple, located at the foot of Mount Xuanweng, it was built in about 400 AD in memory of Shu Yu, a prince who lived during the Western Zhou period (BC1046-771). The journey continues to the Old Town of Pingyao.

Pingyao, founded in the 14th century, is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Chinese city. Of special interest are the imposing buildings associated with banking. Pingyao was the major financial center for all trade in China during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

In the charming bars of Pingyao, you can enjoy some drinks or relax during a foot massage in one of its small massage studios.