Visitors pose for pictures at Hukou Waterfall. Photos by Zhang Wei / China Daily

The ancient Shanxi people migrated from Linfen to 18 provinces across the country.

Their offspring now total between 200 million to 300 million nationwide, and many people now visit Linfen to trace their ancestors.

The spacious ancestor hall in the garden was filled with more than 1,000 family names carved in wooden tablets neatly arranged on the wall.

Workers there can quickly lead you to your family name. They hinted I should buy some incense and salute my ancestor, but I didn't follow their advice because I thought they were just trying to make money.

I wrapped up my trip after visiting the temple and tomb of Yao, one of the legendary Chinese emperors who lived more than 4,000 years ago, and got a taste of the relics he left behind.

Sun Ruisheng contributed to this story.