Taiyuan Travel GuideĀ – Explore a 2000-year-old Ancient Capital
Located at the point where the Fen River emerges from the mountains and opens up onto a huge plain, Taiyuan is the capital and largest city ofĀ Shanxi Province, China.Ā Taiyuan is a famous historical and cultural city,Ā andĀ an ancient capital with a history of more than 2,000 years.Ā
It is renowned as the Dragon City. Three dynasties, including the Zhao, Former Qin, North Han had Taiyuan as their capital. Another six dynasties, including North Qi, Tang, Wuzhou, Later Tang, Later Jin and Later Han had Taiyuan as the second capital.
Taiyuan City is the political, economic, cultural and international exchange centre of Shanxi Province. It is also one of the industrial hubĀ in China, with a focus on energy and heavy chemicals. Additionally, Taiyuan is a center for scientific research and educationĀ in North China, housing numerous universities and research institutions.
TaiyuanĀ Facts:
Chinese: å¤Ŗå tĆ i yuĆ”n
Location: North Central Shanxi, Capital City of Shanxi Province
Population (urban area): 5,435,000
Content Previewā
- Why Visit Taiyuan
- Top Taiyuan Tourist Attractions
- Top Things to Do in Taiyuan
- Taiyuan Weather and When to Go
- Taiyuan Accommodation: Where to Stay
- How to Plan a Taiyuan Tour
- Taiyuan Transportation
- Practical Tips for Visitors
- FAQs about Taiyuan
- Contact China Xian Tour to Plan a Tour to Taiyuan and Other Cities in Shanxi
- Other Popular Travel Destinations in Shanxi
- Recommended Tour including Taiyuan
Why Visit Taiyuan
Discover Rich History andĀ Culture
With a variety of historical and cultural sitesĀ such Twin Pagoda Temple, Jinci Temple, Yongzuo Temple, Duofu Temple, Taiyuan Confucious’ Temple, Tianlong Mountain Cave Temple, Jinyang Ancient City ruins, and Shanxi Museum, Taiyuan gives tourists an opportunity to explore Shanxi’s rich history and culture.
Taiyuan is aĀ Major Gateway in Shanxi
As the entry point to other Shanxi destinations, Taiyuan is well-served by high-speed rail, domestic and international flights, and other transportation options. This makes it a great place to begin exploring other Shanxi tourist destinations, like Datong, Pingyao, Xinzhou (for Mount Wutai), and Linfen (for Hukou Waterfall).
Well-kept Traditions and Folklore
From generation to generation, intangible cultural heritages have been passed down, including Liuli, brick carvings, paper cutting, Jin Temple Fairs, Taiyuan Drums and Gongs, Old Chen Vinegar, and Jin Opera. Even now, handicrafts, farming, and the culture of Jin merchants are perpetuated.
Explore Different Kinds of Museums
Learn more aboutĀ Taiyuan’s history and culture by visiting the Coal Museum of China, Shanxi Museum, Taiyuan Liberation Museum, Dong Shouping Art Museum, and the Museum of Geology and Mineral Resources. The Coal Museum of China and the Shanxi Museum are the best options forĀ gaining knowledge the evolution and history of Taiyuan and Shanxi.
Taste Distinctive Taiyuan Cuisine
Noodles are the mainstay of Taiyuan cuisine.Ā Foodies will delight in Taiyuanās distinctive foods, featuring delicious noodles, vinegar, and preserved vegetables. PopularĀ local foods and dishes includeĀ knife-cut noodles,Ā Taiyuan oil pork,Ā shaomei, catās ear noodles, vinegar-pepper fish, fried tofu balls, Shanxi mature vinegar, etc.
Learn about: The 15 Most Popular Chinese Dishes
Top Taiyuan Tourist Attractions
Taiyuan has a long history of over 2,500 years. And there are mainly four kinds of scenic spots waiting for you to explore, which are ancient architectures, museums, natural and cultural scenic spots, and ancient cities and districts. The main attractions of each category are listed below.
Jinci Temple
The earliest surviving royal ceremonial garden in China, Jinci Temple is the ancestral shrine of the ancient state of Jin. It is also an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese architectural art. Its coloured sculptures, murals and tablets are all national treasures.
Shanxi Museum
Shanxi Museum is the largest cultural relics collection, protection, research and exhibition centre in Shanxi. In all, there are almost 500,000 objects, the most distinctive of which are calligraphy, Buddhist statues, porcelain, stone carvings, murals, paintings, and bronze.
Twin Pagoda Temple
Yongzuo Temple, commonly known as the Twin Pagodas Temple, was built in the twenty-seventh year of the Ming Wanli calendar, four hundred years ago. It is the only temple in China that consists entirely of beamless buildings.
Tianlong Mountain Cave Temple
The Tianlongshan Grottoes have been excavated through the Eastern Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi Dynasty, Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty and Later Jin Dynasty for more than 400 years. It reflects the different styles of grotto art in China.
Jinyang Ancient City ruins
The ancient city of Jinyang was founded in the late Spring and Autumn period (497 BC), and has a history of more than 2,500 years. It was once the capital of Zhao during the Warring States period.
The Coal Museum of China
It serves as the collecting center for historical artifacts, specimens, records, and materials related to China'sĀ coal industry. It is the only national coal industry museum in China. Moreover, It is an institute for scientific research, science education, and coal industry PR and education.
Top Things to Do in Taiyuan
Admire the Buddhist Culture and Ancient Chinese Architecture at Jinci Temple
As early as the Zhou Dynasty, the concept of Feng Shui was formed. Feng Shui lies in adjusting the relationship between human beings and the natural environment, requiring buildings to be in harmony with all aspects of the natural environment, such as topography, geomorphology and orientation. Located at the confluence of the Hanging Jar Mountain and the Jin River, the Jin Temple is undoubtedly the best location based on Fengshui.
The layout of the Jin Temple was influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.Ā ItĀ features ancient halls, pavilions, towers, springs, and trees, as well as exquisite sculptures and paintings.Ā Donāt miss Jinci Temple when you plan a Shanxi Taiyuan tour.
Hunt Treasures from Shanxiās Largest Museum
Over 500,000 cultural relics showcase the history and culture of Shanxi from prehistoric times to modern times. There are 40,282 pieces (groups) of precious cultural relics, including more than 110,000 ancient books. The 11 exhibition halls coversĀ various themesĀ such as ancient civilizations, Buddhism, traditional (Chinese) opera, folk customs, culture of Shanxi merchants, ceramics, and calligraphy.
Marvel at One of Chinaās Most Beautiful Twin Pagodas
AnotherĀ Taiyuan landmark, the Twin PagodaĀ of YongzongĀ TempleĀ is Taiyuan’s tallest surviving ancient structure. The two octagonal pagodas that are 53 meters high, and and decorated with glazed tiles and carvings. Both of the pagodas were built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). One is the āWenfeng PagodaāĀ built first, and the other is the āStupaĀ PagodaāĀ built later.
The Twin PagodaĀ offers a panoramic view of Taiyuan city from the top.
Explore a Variety of Ancient Sites and Temples
There are more historical and cultural heritage to see in Taiyuan. Chongshan MonasteryĀ wasĀ a Tang Dynasty (618-907) Buddhist temple, but wasĀ rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Tianlongshan Grottoes are located 40 kilometers southwest of Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, on the side of Tianlongshan Mountain. First chiselled in the Northern Wei Dynasty, there are 25 caves surviving today, located between the eastern and western peaks and cliffs.
Dou Daifu Ancestral Hall is a sacrificial building built to commemorate Jinchou, a scholar-official of Jin State during the Spring and Autumn period.It is also a place for the local official and civilian to pray for rain in the past generations.
Taiyuan Weather and When to Go
Taiyuan is located in the interior of the continent and has a warm temperate continental monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons.The average annual total solar radiation is 4927.90 megajoules per square metre. The total number of hours of sunshine throughout the year ranges from 2,285 to 2,587 hours. The average annual precipitation is 390ļ½423 mm. And the average temperature ranges from 8.10Ā°C to 11Ā°C.
The best time to visit Taiyuan is from April to October, when you can expect mild and comfortable, beautiful scenery, spring flowers, lush greenery in summer,and autumn harvest. However, you should also be prepared for some rain in summer, especially in July and August.
If you plan to travel to Taiyuan in winter for the snow-covered landscapes, wear warm clothing. Be aware that January is the coldest month with an average low temperature of -12Ā°C. And you can extend your Shanxi tourĀ of Taiyuan to Pingyao Ancient CityĀ and Datong, to enjoy a unique China winter holiday.
Taiyuan Accommodation: Where to Stay
Taiyuan provides various types of hotels, including international chain hotels, domestic luxury and high-end hotels, mid-range and economy chain hotels and special boutique guesthouses. About the choices of living areas and hotels, see the detailed information below.
Ā
Yinze District, Liuxiang Lane and Bell Tower Streets
Best for first timers. It is located in the most prosperous area and the transportation network is well-developed.
- Recommended hotels: Shanxi Hotel, Shanxi Grand Hotel
Xiaodian District (Changfeng Business District/Longcheng Street)
Best for business travelers and families. There are more high-end shopping malls and it is close to Taiyuan South Train Station and Taiyuan Airport.
- Recommended hotels: Hampton by Hilton, Wanda Yue Hotel
Jinyuan District (near Jinci Temple and Jinyang Lake)
Best for nature lovers and tourists seeking for immersive experience. It is close to the main attractions such as Jinci Temple Museum, Taiyuan Botanical Garden, etc.
- Recommended hotels: Rezen Huasheng International Hotel, InterContinental Taiyuan
How to Plan a Taiyuan Tour
Usually, 2 – 3 days is suitable for tourists not having enough time to visit the main scenic spots. A brief itinerary is as follows.
Day 1: Jinci Temple – Taiyuan Ancient County
Day 2: Shanxi Museum – Twin Pagoda Temple / Taiyuan Botanical Garden – taste the local food in Liuxiang Lane and Food Street.
Day 3: East Lake Vinegar Garden / Fenhe Park – Return
If you have another 2 – 3 days, add the Jinshang Museum to the third day and plan a side trip to Mengshan Giant Buddha and Taishan Mountain on the fourth day. Another option is the Qiao Family Courtyard and Pingyao Ancient Town, where you can spend 2 – 3 days exploring. Of course, if you have a one-week vacation, just include all the scenic spots listed above.
Recommended Tours:
Taiyuan Transportation
How to Get to Taiyuan
By air
Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (TYN) is located approximately 16 km (30 minutesā drive) from Taiyuan City Center.Ā It operates over 130 airlines connecting with more than 70 domestic andĀ international cities,Ā such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Urumqi, Chongqing, Kunming, Harbin, Zhangjiajie, Moscow, Sydney, etc.
To travel between the airport and downtown Taiyuan, there are following 4 means.
- Metro line 1 (The most recommended): Cost: about CNY 5; duration: about 50 minutes.
- Airport bus: Cost: CNY 10; duration: about 30 minutes.
- Taxi: Cost: about CNY 20; duration: about 30 minutes.
- Bus: Cost: CNY 2; duration: about 1 – 1.5 minutes.
By train
Taiyuan Railway StationĀ is an old station close to the downtown. It mainly operates more normal trains to/from more cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. Taiyuan South Railway StationĀ mainly has high-speed trainsĀ between Taiyuan andĀ cities such as Beijing (2.5-3 hours), Xiāan (3-4 hours), Datong (2-3 hours), and Pingyao (40 minutes).Ā And passengers can take metro line 1 to the city center at both stations.
By long-distance bus
You can take a regular busĀ to arrive at Taiyuan Long-distance Bus Station or Taiyuan Jiannan Bus StationĀ from nearby cities such as Datong, Pingyao, Shijiazhuang, and Zhengzhou.Ā And the travel duration from Taiyuan to the above four cities is 3.5 – 4 hours, 1.5 – 2 hours, 3 – 3.5 hours and about 5.5 hours, respectively.
How to Travel around Taiyuan
Though there are only 2 metro lines in Taiyuan, they have connected the two train stations, the airport and the main business circles in the city, so metro is the most convenient way to travel from the transportation hubs to city center. To travel between the scenic spots, taking a normal bus or tourist direct bus is the main way. Taxi is a better choice for tourists with heavy luggage or a tight schedule.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Nightlife: The night tours and performances in Taiyuan are unmissable. In Jinyang Lake, you can watch the large-scale water-based live performance āLike a Dream in Jinyangāand stroll along the lake to enjoy the night scenery. The Fenhe River Scenic Area launches the night cruise tour. And there are light shows in Taiyuan Ancient County and Changfeng Business District. Besides, do not forget to enjoy a feast in the Food Street, Liuxiang Lane, Bell Tower Street, etc.
- Food and drink: Noodles and vinegar are the trademark of ShanxiProvince.Ā In Taiyuan, you will find almost all cuisines have vinegar in them or are served with a small plate of vinegar. You can also discover over 100 kinds of noodles here. The most common is knife-sliced noodles. Order a bowl of noodles to feel its rich flavors. The classic Shanxi cuisine includes fried boiled pork and sweet and sour meatballs. Tounao is a kind of special breakfast. It is a tonic diet made of mutton, lotus root, long yam, astragalus, etc. About drinks, try Taigang Soda Water, a very common local drink. Every local people drinks it since childhood.
- Shopping & souvenirs: The large shopping malls are the best places to go shopping, such as The Mixc Mall, Huayu La Floret Mall and so on. If you want to buy souvenirs, the cultural and creative products in the museums are highly recommended. Most of them integrate the elements of their collections and are exquisite and of memorial significance. The most characteristic should be the Shanxi mature vinegar. And Ninghuafu Mature Vinegar is the most famous.
- Off-beat experiences: There are two irreplaceable experiences in Taiyuan. One is theindustrial heritage, the Coal Mining Museum, where you can explore the worldās largest underground simulated mine. The other one is the East Lake Vinegar Garden. You can not only learn about the ancient brewing techniques, but also try the novel vinegar products such as old vinegar ice cream.
FAQs about Taiyuan
How many days are needed to see the main sights in Taiyuan?
2 – 3 days is enough for main attractions in the city.
Is it easy to take a high-speed train from Taiyuan to Pingyao or Datong?
Of course. Every day, there are about 35 and 60 trains from Taiyuan to Pingyao and Datong, respectively.
What is the single most important historical site to see in Taiyuan?
Jici Temple is definitely the top one.
Where can I see ancient Buddhist grottoes near Taiyuan?
Both Tianlongshan Grottoes and Longshan Grottoes are not far from Taiyuan. The driving time for both of them is about one hour.
Are there any good museums to visit besides the Shanxi Museum?
The Coal Mining Museum and Shanxi Ancient Architecture Museum are also worth visiting.
Where are the best night markets or food streets in Taiyuan?
The most famous must be the area composed of Liuxiang Lane, Food Street and Bell Tower Street.
Is it easy to hail a taxi or use a ride-hailing app (like Didi)?
Yes, you can use it as long as you have a Didi app or Wechat.
Contact China Xian Tour to Plan a Tour to Taiyuan and Other Cities in Shanxi
Compared with other tourist cities, the main transportation means between scenic spots is bus in Taiyuan. So you may spend more time on the way. China Xian Tour can arrange a driver to escort you in the entire tour so that you can have more time to explore the attractions. Also, we are experienced in tailoring a trip based on touristsāĀ needs and we can assign a guide for you. Just feel free to contact us at any time.
