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.
Situated next to Fenhe River and surrounded by mountains. Taiyuan has a history of over 2,500 years. Now, Taiyuan is important as home to heavy industry and mining. It has 3 notable sights that can be seen within half a day: the Shanxi Museum, the carvings at Chongshan Temple and The Twin Pagodas.
37.7553112.6281Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (太原武宿国际机场, TYN IATA). There are flights to Beijing, Guangzhou and Xi'an daily and commonly services Chinese tourists wanting to visit Wu Tai Shan and Pingyao.
The bus station is located at the south side of Yingze Dajie, between train station and Bingzhou Lu.
Beijing - takes about 6 hours
Datong - takes about 5 hours
Shijiazhuang - takes about 4 hours
Wutaishan - takes 4-5 hours (take travel sickness medication an hour before this trip if you are prone, consider suggesting parents give their children some as well as vomiting is common on this journey)
There is no severe cold in winter, no severe heat in summer, large temperature difference between day and night, long frost-free period, and sufficient sunshine.
Price for local bus as of December 2023 is ¥1 per person.
Bus number 1 -- runs the length of Yingze Dajie and one can take this from the intersection across the train station west towards the museum. Hop off at the Coal Museum, just after the bridge over the river (you will see the odd shaped large buildings on the right towards the north. The upside down pyramid is the Shanxi Museum). From the bus stop head north a block and then west toward the river, then north again and you will arrive at the main entrance.
Bus 611 runs from the train station to Jinnan bus station where buses for Pingyao leave.
Bus 619 runs from the East Bus station, passing by the train station and Jinnan bus station continuing further. Ask or leave when people with bags does.
37.7048112.44351Jinci Temple (晋祠寺 Jìncísì) (25 km southwest of central Taiyuan. Take bus 8 (from the railway station) or 804 for about 45 minutes. Also bus 308 from near railway station about 1.5 hours, ¥2.5;). 7:30AM-6:30PM. 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. ¥40.
Yongzuo Temple37.844112.59362Yongzuo Temple (永祚寺 Yǒngzuòsì), Shuangta North Road, Yingze District (迎泽区双塔北路 Yíngzéqū Shuāngtǎ Běilù) (bus 812, 820 or 873). 8AM-5PM. 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. ¥20.
37.8667112.57393Chongshan Temple (崇善寺 Chóngshànsì), Diliang Street, Yingze District (迎泽区狄梁公街 Yíngzéqū Díliáng Gōngjiē (buses 2, 3, 843, 819, 818 will take you within walking distance of the temple). 8:30AM-5PM. 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. Free.
Duofu Temple (多福寺 duōfúsì; lit. Blessing Temple), Juewei Mountain (崛围山 Juéwéishān) (20 km from central Taiyuan). ¥5.
37.96326112.454384Longquan Temple (龙泉寺 Lóngquánsì; also known as Taishan Temple) (23 km from the city). ¥10.
37.8635112.55416Old Mosque (清真古寺 Qīngzhēngǔsì), 20 Jiefang Road (解放路20号 Jiěfànglù) (bus 1, 4 or 5), ☏ +86 351 2027142. 8AM-5PM. A mosque at this location was first built in the Tang Dynasty, but the present one is much younger. ¥12.
37.862112.56577Chunyang Palace (纯阳宫 Chúnyánggōng), 33 Jianshe North Road (建设北路33号 Jiànshè Běilù) (bus 3, 4 or 5 to Wuyi Square stop), ☏ +86 351 8210666. Summer 8AM-6PM, Winter 9AM-5PM. 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. ¥5.
37.871112.55898Changjinglou (唱经楼 Chàngjīnglóu), 33 Gulou St, Liuxiang Shangquan, Xinghualing Qu. Small traditional temple. (updated Mar 2018)
37.775112.4449Mengshan Big Buddha (蒙山大佛 Méngshān Dàfó). Enormous carved Buddha statue in a hillside, with a replaced modern head. (updated Mar 2018)
Shanxi Museum37.8643112.524410Shanxi Museum (山西省博物馆 Shānxīshěng Bówùguǎn), 13 Binhe West Road (滨河西路北段13号 Bīnhéxīlùběiduàn) (bus 1 then walk), ☏ +86 351 8789014. 8AM-5PM, last entry 4PM. 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 artfacts 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 scultptures, and Shanxi merchants. Signage in Chinese and English. Free.
37.8568112.522411China Coal Museum (中国煤炭博物馆 Zhōngguó Méitàn Bówùguǎn), 2 Yingze West Avenue (迎泽西大街2号 Yíngzéxīdàjiē) (bus 1, 38, 601, 611, 618, 809, 813, 822, 855 or 859 to Yingze Bridge West Station), ☏ +86 351 4117829, fax: +86 351 6041802, [email protected]. Tu-Su 8AM-noon, 2:30PM-6PM. 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. ¥60.
37.8047112.527118Taiyuan Museum (太原博物馆). City museum with interesting modern architectural style. (updated Mar 2018)
37.534823112.45822119Sanjin Museum of Strange Stones (三晋奇石博物馆), National Highway G208, Xugou Town, Qingxu County (清徐县徐沟镇G208国道) (40 km southwest of central Taiyuan; get a long distance bus to Qingxu County, then take bus no. 211 or 212), ☏ +86 351 5951111. Winter: 09:00-11:30, 11:30-16:30; Summer: 14:30-17:30. 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. ¥35. (updated Oct 2022)
37.8547112.556221Yingze Park (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.
37.8647112.563822Children's park (儿童公园 Értóng Gōngyuán), Haizibian West Street (海子边西街 Hǎizibian Xījiē) (in the city centre), ☏ +86 351 4066351. Dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Is home to library, exhibitions, planetarium and a number of older and newer buildings.
37.9059112.570923[formerly dead link]Taiyuan Zoo (太原动物园 Tàiyuán Dòngwùyuán), 176 Jianhe Rd (northwest corner of Taiyuan, take bus 25, 855 or 864), ☏ +86 351 3074953. Summer 7:30AM-7PM, winter 7:30AM-6PM. ¥10.
37.909112.527624Forest Park (森林公园 Sēnlín Gōngyuán), Binhe East Road (滨河东路 Bīnhédōnglù) (northern part of city, main entrance and parking area from West Gate on Binhe East Road), ☏ +86 351 3551684. 7AM-8PM. Artificial forest park landscaped with valleys and rivers. It is features various recreational facilities. ¥5.
Jinci Park (晋祠公园 Jìncígōngyuán).
37.739112.35225Tianlongshan Grottoes (天龙山石窟 Tiānlóngshān Shíkū) (40 km southwest of Taiyuan. Best reached by car. A bus runs from Wuyi Square in Taiyuan to Qingxu, which is the nearest major town to the grottoes.). 7:30AM-6:30PM. 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. ¥25.
37.731112.42126Longshan Grottoes (龙山石窟 Lóngshān Shíkū) (Longshan Mountain, 20 km southeast of central Taiyuan). 7:30AM-6:30PM. Built at the beginning of Yuan Dynasty. They comprise a Taoist temple and a number of statues. ¥20.
37.8446112.532427Fenhe Scenic Area (汾河景区 Fénhéjǐngqū). Scenic area around Fen River. It includes four theme areas, six natural scenery areas and seven sightseeing spots. ¥10.
Juewei Mountain Scenic Area (崛围山风景区 Juéwéishān Fēngjǐngqū) (24 km northwest of centre). 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.
Shanxi Jin Opera Troupe Theater. Stages Beijing Opera performances.
37.867103112.5674211Changfeng Theater (长风剧场 Chángfēng Jùchǎng), 123 Liuxiang South Rd, ☏ +86 351 2028549. The oldest theater in Taiyuan large enough for an audience of 1,200. Stages Beijing Opera performances.
Hubin Conference Hall (湖滨会堂 Húbīn Huìtáng), 180 Yingze Dajie, ☏ +86 351 4720059, +86 351 4720064, +86 351 4720084. Stages performing arts and festivals large enough for an audience of 2,145.
Taiyuan Liyuan Culture Center (太原梨园文化中心 Tàiyuán Líyuán Wénhuà Zhōngxīn), 148 Qianfeng North Rd, ☏ +86 351 5630586. Comprises halls for opera, folk music, story telling and disco. Stages both modern and traditional performances.
37.8072112.52682Shanxi Grand Theatre (山西大剧院 Shānxī Dà Jùyuàn). Performing arts theatre. (updated Mar 2018)
One area to visit for shopping is Bell Tower Street where you will find Fenjiu Dasha, Dongfang Department Store, Jinge Clothing Store and lots of smaller stores. Another option is Liu Xiang where you will find Guidu Department store, Wanjia Dasha, other department stores and many fashion shops.
Local products can be found around town, but especially in Liuxiang Shopping District. These products include paper cuttings, jade, dough sculptures and lacquer goods.
37.86412112.5672562Vico Inn (Taiyuan Fuzhuang City Branch) (维客商务酒店 (太原服装城店) Wéikè Shāngwùjiǔdiàn (Tàiyuán Fúzhuāngchéngdiàn)), 115 Shungta North Road, Yingze District (迎泽区双塔北路115号 Yíngzéqū Shuāngtǎběilù). Rooms with sofas and free internet. Most of the rooms also have refrigerator and safe. Business center available. Listed rates for doubles from ¥188.
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