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Capital of Shanxi, China
Photo: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Taiyuan (太原 Tàiyuán) is the capital of Shanxi Province It is an important central city in the central region of the province and a common stopover between Wu Tai Shan and Pingyao.
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晋祠寺 Jìncísì
AAAAA Tourist Attractions of China. Jinci Temple, an ancient ancestral temple, was founded about 1400 years ago and was expanded during the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, resulting in a variety of architecutural styles. Today it comprises of over 100 halls, towers, pavilions, terraces, and bridges and includes some of the best Song Dynasty sculptures and buildings still extant in China as well as some lovely gardens and ancient trees. Well known structures at Jinci include the Hall of Offerings (献殿 Xiàndiàn), The Flying Bridge Across the Fish Pond (鱼沼飞梁 Yúzhǎo Fēiliáng), and the Hall of the Holy Mother (圣母殿 Shèngmǔdiàn), the most famous building at Jinci. Completed in 1032 and with carved wooden dragons coiled around the eight pillars that support its upward-curving double-eave roof, this impressive structure contains some of the finest Song Dynasty clay sculptures in China, each with a different facial expression.
永祚寺 Yǒngzuòsì
This temple is noted for its pair of 13-story octagonal pagodas, dating back some 400 years. These twin pagodas, which can easily be seen from much of Taiyuan, are often used as a symbol of Shanxi's largest city. The two towers, made of brick and stone, are 53 meters in height. Visitors can climb a spiral staircase to the top of the western pagoda to enjoy a panoramic view over the city.
崇善寺 Chóngshànsì
The first temple was built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In 1381, the temple was extended. In the 19th century, most of the temple was destroyed. The temple is home to the Buddhist Association of Shanxi Province and includes the Bell Tower, the Dabei Hall, and the east and west wing rooms. The main hall has 3 magnificent statues, one of Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy, with 1,000 hands and eyes.
多福寺 duōfúsì; lit. Blessing Temple
龙泉寺 Lóngquánsì; also known as Taishan Temple
晋窦大夫祠 Jìndòudàifucí
清真古寺 Qīngzhēngǔsì
A mosque at this location was first built in the Tang Dynasty, but the present one is much younger.
纯阳宫 Chúnyánggōng
Built in the 13th century and since extended significantly. Features garden and temple as well as a number of other buildings. Closed for repair, April 2018, no end date given.
唱经楼 Chàngjīnglóu
Small traditional temple.
蒙山大佛 Méngshān Dàfó
Enormous carved Buddha statue in a hillside, with a replaced modern head.
山西省博物馆 Shānxīshěng Bówùguǎn
The Shanxi Museum is in a modern four-storey building at a prime location along the Fen River in central Taiyuan. It features a very impressive collection of artifacts from this history-heavy province. Chinese civilization first began to develop in Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces along the banks of the Yellow River, and this handsome provincial museum features some of the best of the historical artifacts from around the province. The museum has on display thousands of objects in a series of well laid out exhibition halls. Permanent exhibits include those devoted to relics from the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages, ancient Chinese porcelain, painting and calligraphy, jades, bronzes, Chinese currency, historical architecture, Buddhist stone sculptures, and Shanxi merchants. Signage in Chinese and English.
中国煤炭博物馆 Zhōngguó Méitàn Bówùguǎn
Exhibits on China's coal industry. You will have to pay ¥60 for a personal tour guide (who speaks English) in addition to the museum entrance fee. The personal tour guides do add to the experience though.
山西省科学技术馆 Shānxīshěng Kēxué Jìshù Guǎn
山西省艺术博物馆
太原美术馆
太原市群众艺术馆
山西工艺美术馆
太原博物馆
City museum with interesting modern architectural style.
三晋奇石博物馆
The museum building is a beautiful Chinese-style courtyard building with an elegant and beautiful environment, verandahs, shade, a bamboo forest and bonsai plants. In the exhibition hall of the museum, it is said that “Shanxi culture is reflected everywhere" and "popular science education is reflected everywhere”. The museum also offers research courses in geological science parks and cultural lecture halls. It also regularly holds special popular science activities, and conducts research activities on mineral magnetism, attracting tourists to come to visit.
山西烽火抗战博物馆
迎泽公园 Yíngzé Gōngyuán
named because it is located outside the Yingze Gate of the ancient Taiyuan City. North of Yingze Street, east of Youth Road, south of Nansha River, west of South Jiefang Road; is a large comprehensive park in Taiyuan, but also Shanxi Province, one of the important places for people to take a rest and visit the city, festivals and cultural and recreational activities.
儿童公园 Értóng Gōngyuán
Dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Is home to library, exhibitions, planetarium and a number of older and newer buildings.
太原动物园 Tàiyuán Dòngwùyuán
森林公园 Sēnlín Gōngyuán
Artificial forest park landscaped with valleys and rivers. It is features various recreational facilities.
晋祠公园 Jìncígōngyuán
天龙山石窟 Tiānlóngshān Shíkū
AAAAA Tourist Attractions of China. Tianlongshan Grottoes is a series of 25 caves carved into the mountainside of Tianlong Mountain and well known among Chinese art experts for the fine Buddhist statues and decorations which were sculpted within. The earliest of these caves were built during the Eastern Wei Dynasty (534-550), and additional caves were added in the Northern Qu, Sui, and Tang Dynasties. Grottoes 2 and 3 are the oldest in the complex, dating back nearly 1500 years. The largest and most impressive grotto is the ninth one, a multi-storied cave with several large Buddha statues and covered by an intricate three-story wooden pavilion, the Manshan Pavilion. As of October 2018, it's closed for renovation and construction; it should be open around the 2019 May Day holiday. Even the guards won't accept money to let you in.
龙山石窟 Lóngshān Shíkū
Built at the beginning of Yuan Dynasty. They comprise a Taoist temple and a number of statues.
汾河景区 Fénhéjǐngqū
Scenic area around Fen River. It includes four theme areas, six natural scenery areas and seven sightseeing spots.
崛围山风景区 Juéwéishān Fēngjǐngqū
The scenic area is home to a temple, a tower, pagodas and lots of trees. Locals flock here in autumn to see the red leaves and in spring to see the flowers. In clear weather there are great views of Taiyuan.
Stages Beijing Opera performances.
长风剧场 Chángfēng Jùchǎng
The oldest theater in Taiyuan large enough for an audience of 1,200. Stages Beijing Opera performances.
湖滨会堂 Húbīn Huìtáng
Stages performing arts and festivals large enough for an audience of 2,145.
太原梨园文化中心 Tàiyuán Líyuán Wénhuà Zhōngxīn
Comprises halls for opera, folk music, story telling and disco. Stages both modern and traditional performances.
山西大剧院 Shānxī Dà Jùyuàn
Performing arts theatre.
Fine foods festival focusing on local dishes based on wheat.
Festival focusing on Shanxi Province as a centre for local wine production.
Stages dance, song and theatre and exhibits art and sculpture.
See/drive through the unique three-story bridge created to enable passing the mountainous area.
It is a major historical bridge connecting the east side of the city with the west side of the city.
Breakfast restaurant serving tasty mutton soup.
Here you can try the very famous local noodles.
Xinjian South Road
Eat all you can, nice salads.
Vegetarian restaurant.
Typical local restaurant.
Typical local restaurant.
Serves Chinese and Western food.
Serves steaks as well as typical café dishes.
lit. Mood Bar
The first bar to open in the city.
迪欧咖啡
Coffee and Western food. Free internet.
上岛咖啡 Shàngdǎo Kāfēi
文华苑店 Wénhuáyuàndiàn
府西街店 Fǔxījiēdiàn
汉庭快捷酒店 (太原胜利桥东店) Hàntíngkuàijié Jiǔdiàn (Tàiyuán Shènglìqiáodōngdiàn)
Small rooms with free internet.
Tielu Binguan
维客商务酒店 (太原服装城店) Wéikè Shāngwùjiǔdiàn (Tàiyuán Fúzhuāngchéngdiàn)
Rooms with sofas and free internet. Most of the rooms also have refrigerator and safe. Business center available.
Yun Shan Fandian
5-star business hotel in the heart of downtown. It offers 398 rooms, a business center, function rooms, several restaurants, and fun facilities for a relaxing vacation.
Lots of small antique shops.
Lots of small shops selling all kind of local stuff.
Six story mall selling both real angtiques and copies.
美特好 Měitèhǎo
华联超市 Huàlián Chāoshì
By train
By bus
The bus station is located at the south side of Yingze Dajie, between train station and Bingzhou Lu.
By taxi
Taxi cost is ¥8 flagfall and expect around ¥15 from train station to Shanxi Museum (Aug 2011).
By metro
As of September 2023, the cost is up to ¥6, depending how far you ride.
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Taiyuan · International · TYN
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