Taiyuan Travel Guide

Taiyuan Travel Guide Destination overview Destination sketch Situated next to Fenhe River and surrounded by mountains. Taiyuan has a history of 2,509 years. Now, Taiyuan is important as home to heavy industry and mining. It has 3 notable sights that […]

Taiyuan Travel Guide

Destination overview

Destination sketch

Situated next to Fenhe River and surrounded by mountains. Taiyuan has a history of 2,509 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.

Local festival

Wheat Festival

September. Fine foods festival focusing on local dishes based on wheat.

Wine Festival

November. Festival focusing on Shanxi Province as a centre for local wine production.

International Folk Art Festival

September. Stages dance, song and theatre and exhibits art and sculpture.

Best Travel season

The temperature in spring (March to May) increases rapidly. Spring here often comes with strong sunlight and heavy wind. The wind is troublesome, because it carries black dust. If you come to Taiyuan in spring or summer, sunglasses, sun block and a sunhat are necessities. Those who wear contact lenses should be very careful with the wind.

Summer weather of Taiyuan is hot and rainy with high humidity. The average temperature is about 23C (73F) and the mean rainfall is 250-280 millimeters, mainly concentrated in late July and August. The temperature in autumn (September to November) falls quickly and the average is 8C (46F)-10C (50F). The fair weather in this season makes it the best season for traveling. The Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Art Festival will be held in September, in which numerous performances from different places in the world will be on show. The climate of winter, averaging a temperature of -7C (44.5F), is always cold and dry. Warm clothes should be prepared for traveling in this season.

Intercity traffic

Aircraft

Taiyuan Wusu International Airport
Arriving and leaving the airport
Wusu Airport is 13 kilometers away from the urban area and the journey takes about half an hour. A circular bus between the city and the terminal has been opened, which takes about 40 minutes. You can also take the No. 201 bus from the airport to the train station, and depart at 6:00-20:00. It takes 45 minutes and the fare is 2 yuan. Take a taxi from the airport to the city for about 60 yuan.
Airport Bus Line 1 Wuyi Square – Airport
City Car Ride: East of the main entrance of Sanjin International Hotel, Wuyi Square, Taiyuan
Route: Airport Terminal – Taiyu Road – Wucheng Road – Bianzhou Road – Wuyi Square (Train Station), along Taiji South Station, Shanxi University, Changfeng Street East Exit, Jiannan Bus Station intersection, Dayingpan , coal hotel, Wuyi Square (train station) and other sites
Operating hours: 6:00-9:00 every hour, 9:30-20:30 every half hour
Airport Bus Line 2 West Railway Station – Airport
City Car Ride: No. 396, Yingze Street, Wanbai District, Taiyuan City
Route: Airport – East Central – South Central – West Central – West Railway Station (West Railway Station does not stop in the middle of the airport)
Operating hours: 9:30-19:00, about 50 minutes one way, full passengers at any time
Airport Bus Line 3 Taiyuan South Station – Airport
Urban Ride: Taiyuan City Xiaodian District Tailu Road Route: No stop in the middle
Operating hours: 9:30-20:00, 15 minutes one way, full passengers at any time
Airport Bus Line 4 East Railway Station – Airport
City Bus Point: East Railway Station, Yingze District, Taiyuan City: No parking on the way
Operating hours: 9:30-19:00, one-way 40 minutes, full passengers at any time
Address: No. 32, Taitun Road, Xiaodian District, Taiyuan City (about 13 kilometers from the city center)

Train

Taiyuan Railway Station
Address: The easternmost part of Yingze Street in the eastern city of Taiyuan City and the intersection of Jianshe Road
Arrival: You can take the No. 901, No. 902, and Airport Bus No. 1 to Taiyuan Railway Station.

Taiyuan South Railway Station
Address: Taihao Road, Xiaodian District, Taiyuan City
Arrival methods: 11 Road, 51 Road, 55 Road, 201 Road, 501 Road, 502 Road, 807 Road, 813 Road, 836 Road, 849 Road, 868 Road, 824 Road, 861 Road, 901 Road, 902
Road, 903 Road to Taiyuan South Station Tel: 0351-2632506

long distance bus

Taiyuan Coach Terminal
Address: 88 Yingze Street, Yingze District, Taiyuan City
Arrival mode: take bus No.1, No.6, No.10, No.65, No.308, No.611, No.615, No.618, No.820, No.848, No. 859, No. 866, No. 866, etc.
Tel: 0351-4129993, 0351-4042346

Taiyuan Bus Passenger Transport West Station
Address: 396 Yingze Street, Wanbai District, Taiyuan City
Arrival mode: take 16 Road, 50 Road, 52 Road, 53 Road, 72 Road, 809 Road, 834 Road, 859 Road, 875 Road to Xinxi Passenger Station
Tel: 0351-6330571, 0351-6552571

Taiyuan Bus Passenger Transport East Station
The main bus is to the direction of Jinbei, such as Zhangzhou, Yuanping, Daixian, Fanzhi, Wutai, Ningwu and other places. The shuttle bus from Taiyuan Bus Passenger Transport East Station to Wutai Mountain runs every half hour. The fare is 76 yuan and the journey is 235 kilometers, about 4 hours.
Address: No. 165, Wulongkou Street, Yuma Village, Yingze District, Taiyuan City
Arrival method: take 70, 615, 619, 814, 826, 863, 904, and Airport Bus No. 4 to East Railway Station
Tel: 0351-2389052, 0351-2389025, 0351-2389072 Complaints Tel: 0351-96566

Taiyuan Yingbin Bus Station
The inter-provincial shuttle bus is mainly in the direction of Jiangsu and Fujian. The provincial shuttle bus is mainly sent to Jinnan, such as Yuncheng, Linyi, Houma, Hongdong, Pinglu and Huozhou.
Address: No. 50, Taiyuan Road, Yingze District, Taiyuan City
Arrival mode: take 11 Road, 23 Road, 55 Road, 201 Road, 813 Road, 817 Road, 836 Road, 901 Road, 902 Road, Airport Bus Line 1 to Taiyuan Road, Docking City East Street Station
Tel: 0351-7679026

Traffic in the city

Bus

The public transportation in Taiyuan City is developing rapidly. It is necessary to prepare change. If you are taking bus frequently, it is convenient to use the bus IC card.

Taxi

Taiyuan taxi starting price is 8 yuan, 1.1 yuan / km. The starting price at night is 8.6 yuan, 1.3 yuan / km after more than 3 kilometers. From 0:00 on June 1, 2010, a temporary fuel surcharge of 1 yuan will be added on the basis of the meter display.

Attractions

Mt. Wutai

The most holy land of Chinese Buddhism, Mt. Wutai lies in Wutai County in Xinzhou Region, Shanxi Province. It is rated on both the list of the first group of national scenic spots designated by the State Council, and the list of the Top 10 scenic spots in Shanxi Province. It is as famous as Mt.Emei in Sichuan Province, Mt.Putuo in Zhejiang Province, and Mt.Jiuhua in Anhui Province, all of which are renowned as the four sacred Buddhist Mountains. It covers an area of 2,837 square kilometers (1,095.4 square miles), and its five main peaks, positioned east, south, west, north, and in the middle, embrace one another with broad and plain terraces rather than forests on their tops. That is why it bears the name “Wutai Shan” (Mountain of Five Terraces). With the average altitude over 1,000 meters (over 3,281 feet), its apex, the summit of the northern peak which is famed as being the “Roof of Northern China”, reaches 3061.1 meters (10,043 feet). Besides the religious aspect, the beauty of rising and falling ridges of mountains, exotic rocks, crisscrossed gullies, crystalline waters and towering green forests also gives the mountain its reputation as a colorful and notable scenic resort.

Chongshan Temple

Originally 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.
Address: Diliang Street, Yingze District
Arrival method: Buses 2, 3, 843, 819, 818 will take you within walking distance of the temple

Jinci Temple

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, The Flying Bridge Across the Fish Pond, and the Hall of the Holy Mothe, 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.
Address: Southwestern Hanging Mountain, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City
Arrival method: Take the No. 301, 308, 317, 318, 319, 329, 79, 804, 848, 856 to Jinci Park Station
Opening hours: April – October 8:00-18:00, November – March 8:30-17:00
Tickets: 80 yuan in the peak season, 65 yuan in the off season
Phone: 0351-2149649

Twin Pagoda Temple

The Twin Pogoda Temple (Shuang Ta Si), also known by the name ‘Yongzuo Temple’ (Yong Zuo Si), is located in the southeast of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. There are two 53-meter-tall pagodas standing in it, hence the name ‘Twin Pagoda Temple’. History records reveal that the temple and two pagodas were built under the Emperor Wanli’s order in 1608 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Each of the pagodas has 13 stories and is made entirely of bricks and stone. The exterior was sculptured in the shape of an octagon and decorated with the exquisite flying eaves. An internal staircase was added so that visitors can climb to the top of the pagoda and gaze far afield.

Yongzuo Temple

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. Closed until September 2018.
Address: Haozhuang Village, Yingze District, Taiyuan City
Opening hours: 8:30-17:30
Tickets: April – October 30 yuan, November – March 20 yuan
Tel: 0351-4551302

Shanxi Museum

The Shanxi Museum is located in a modern four-storey building situated at a prime location along the Fen River in central Taiyuan and 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. directions=”Bus 1 then walk” Free.
Address: No. 13, North Section of Binhe West Road, Wanbailin District, Taiyuan City (near Taiyuan Library)
Arrival method: Bus 865 to Shanxi Museum, or take bus No. 1, 38, 809, 813 to Yingzeqiao West Station, walk 20 minutes north along the river
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed at 16:00; every Monday, 30th lunar month, closed on the first day of the first month)
Tickets: Free of charge, with ID card, valid on the same day
Phone: 0351-8789555
Www.shanximuseum.com.cn

China Coal Museum

Exhibits on China’s coal industry. Note you will have to pay 60 yuan 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.
Address: No. 2 Yingze West Street, Wanbai District, Taiyuan City
Arrival method: Take the 1,308, 813, 849, 855 road to Yingzeqiao West Station
Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 (17:00 stop ticket sales)
Tickets: 60 yuan
Tel: 0351-6180108
Www.coalmus.org

Tianlongshan Grottoes

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.
Address: Tianlong Mountainside, 40 km southwest of Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City
Arrival method: 18 kilometers away from Jinci, no bus direct, can be chartered from Jinci, the price varies depending on the peak season, round-trip 60-70 yuan. Car can drive to the top of the parking lot
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Tickets: 50 yuan
Tel: 0351-6349668

Longshan Grottoes

Built at the beginning of Yuan Dynasty. They comprise a Taoist temple and a number of statues.
Address: Longshan Peak, 20 km southwest of Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City
Arrival method: chartered for about 30 minutes
Opening hours: 7:00-18:00

Mengshan Big Buddha

Enormous carved buddha statue in a hill side with replaced modern head.
Address: Sidi Village, Luocheng, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City
Opening hours: 8:00-18:30
Tel: 0351-6159898

Longquan Temple

Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
Tickets: 20 yuan
Tel: 0351-6779668

Jindoudaifu Shrine

Address: 733 Xinlan Road, Jiancao District, Taiyuan City
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Tickets: 20 yuan

Juewei Mountain Scenic Area

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.
Address: Huyan Village, West Bank, Weihe, Chai Village, Jiancao District, Taiyuan City
Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 in the summer and 9:00-17:00 in the winter
Tickets: 15 yuan for Duofu Temple, 15 yuan for Jingyin Temple

Fenhe Scenic Area

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.
Address: Binhe East Road, Wanbailin District, Taiyuan City
Opening hours: 6:00-22:00 in summer time and 6:00-23:00 in winter time
Tel: 0351-2772650
Yingze Park

Chunyang Palace

Originally built in the 13th century and since extented significant. Features garden and temple as well as a number of other buildings. Closed for repair, April 2018, no end date given.
Address: No. 1, Qifeng Street, Taiyuan City, side of Wuyi Square
Tickets: 30 yuan

Shanxi Museum

The museum started off as the Education Library and Museum of Shanxi, which opened in October 9, 1919 as one of the earliest museums in China. Shortly after the Second Sino-Japanese War the institution’s collections were heavily damaged and partially moved to Japan.
Address: No. 13, North Section of Binhe West Road, Wanbailin District, Taiyuan City (near Taiyuan Library)
Arrival: Bus 865 to Shanxi Museum, or take bus No. 1, 38, 809, 813 to Yingzeqiao West Station, walk 20 minutes north along the river
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed at 16:00; every Monday, 30th lunar month, closed on the first day of the first month)
Tickets: Free of charge, with ID card, valid on the same day
Phone: 0351-8789555
Www.shanximuseum.com.cn

Old Mosque

A mosque at this location was first built in the Tang Dynasty, but the present one is much younger. Address: No. 20, Jiefang Road, Yingze District, Taiyuan City
Tel: 0351-2027142

Qiao Family Compound

Qiao Family Compound is located in Qi County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, and is 42 km (25 mi) away from Pingyao Ancient City. It is also known as Zai Zhong Tang, whose owner Qiao Zhiyong was a famous financier of Qing Dynasty ( With Chinese classical compound residence, it is representative of Chinese northern folk residences. This family compound shows not only the fortune and prosperity of the Qiao family, but also the folk customs and culture of Shanxi Province in the Period.
Opening hours: 8:00-18:00
Tickets: 40 yuan

Pingyao Ancient Town

Pingyao County is 58.4 miles (94 km) southwest of Taiyuan. It comprises of five towns and nine villages, an area of 486.5 square miles (1,260 sq km) within its jurisdiction. This small county was noted for some magnificent residences in ancient traditional styles Rather than any appeal in natural beauty.

The birthplace of the Jin Businessmen (one of the two power houses during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties), it played an important role in the economic development of Shanxi during that period. The first Chinese trading The was played there. Then, for the next hundred years, the city was home to almost all of the large trading shops in the country. To a certain extent, the city played a role to China during the eighteenth century what Wall Street is to The US.

It is no longer very prosperous, but the grand Pingyao Old City, which was constructed a thousand years ago, stands the test of time. It was mentioned in the World Cultural Heritage in 1997, alongside with the Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple also in the Wandering along the Ancient Ming and Qing Street amidst rows of residences inside the old town, you can still sense its former grandeur.
Address: Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province
Arrival method: There are train stations in the county, and there are trains in Beijing, Taiyuan, Xi’an and other cities.
Opening hours: 8:00-18:30 in the peak season, 8:30-18:00 in the low season
Tickets: The ancient city is free, the city attractions need to buy tickets, buy attractions pass 150 yuan

Itinerary

Urban elite tour west line

Shanxi Museum – Shanxi Coal Museum – Fenhe Park

Urban elite tour east line

Twin Pagoda Temple – Temple of Literature – Chongshan Temple – Chunyang Palace – Tianzhutang – Liuxiang

Xishan Culture

Jinci-Tianlong Mountain-Longshan-Mengshan-Taishan-Jinyang Lake

Northwestern country

Juewei mountain – Duofu Temple – Jingyin Temple – Tutang Buddha – Dou Dafu temple – Fenhe

Jin Merchant Folk Customs Tour

Yuci Old Town – Changjia Manor – Qiao Family Courtyard – Pingyao Ancient City – Rishengchang Ticket – Wang Family Courtyard

Three-day tour of Jinzhong area

DAY 1: Pingyao Ancient City
DAY 2: Pingyao—Liang village—Lingshi County
DAY 3: Wang Family Courtyard – Xiamen Village

Two-day tour of Jinnan area

DAY 1: Linyi City – Xinjiang County – Jincheng
DAY 2: Jincheng – Xiwenxing Village – Guobi Village

Three-day tour of Jinbei area

DAY 1: Datong – Luozhenying Village – Xi’anbao Village – Susuozhou
DAY 2: suozhou – Old Guangwu Village – Yangmingbao Town – Sudai County
DAY 3: Daixian – Wanghuagou Village – Hebian Town – Susuozhou

Food

Shanxi Cuisine (Jin Cai)
Jin is short for Shanxi Province. Jin Cai means the Shanxi Cuisine. When traveling in Taiyuan, Jin Cai should not be missed. The Shanxi Cuisine has a salty flavor accompanied by a little sweet and sour. The methods of cooking include deep-frying, stir-frying, quick-frying, grilling and braising. And the traditional dishes of Jin Cai include Ba Si Shan Yao (Chinese Yam in Hot Toffee), Guo Shao Yang Rou (Braised Mutton), Fu Ru Rou (Braised Pork with Pickled Bean Curd Sauce) and Tang Cu Yu (Sweet and Sour Fish).

Shanxi Noodles are definitely a local specialty and these can be prepared in several ways. Each kind cooked by a special method has a unique name and taste, such as the Fried Oats Noodle, Pulled Noodle, Mao Erduo (Cat’s Ear, for it takes the shape of a cat’s ear.), Sliced Noodle, and many more. You must taste the noodles yourself to discover how delicious they are.

The Taiyuan Noodle Restaurant at the junction of Da Nan Men (South Gate) and Yingze Dajie (Yingze Avenue) comes highly recommended. As you walk into the restaurant, you will see a pair of couplets saying, ‘Delicious noodles of the world are in China, China’s delicious noodles are in Shanxi’. The words are attributed to a Japanese gourmet who tasted the delicious noodles here.

Besides the Jin Cai and Shanxi Noodle, local snacks are plenty. The recommended breakfast includes Tou Nao and Taiyuan Yang Za Sui Tang (A tasty soup prepared from sheep offal).

Taiyuan Tou Nao, the most delicious local snack, literarily means Brain or Head. In fact, it is the mutton soup with yam and lotus root. The dish is full of flavor and is a nutritious food ideal for warding off winter colds.

The Tou Nao served in the Qing He Yuan Restaurant is the most tasty.
Qing He Yuan Restaurant: No. 97, Qiaotou Jie

Hao Gang Gang Mutton Soup Restaurant: at the north entrance of Liu Xiang, also near the entrance of Fuxi Jie.
This restaurant serves the reputed Taiyuan Yang Za Sui Tang. The long queue of customers in front of the restaurant proves just how popular their Hao Gang Gang Mutton has become.

Shopping

Fen Jiu and Zhu Ye Qing are two wines that originated in Taiyuan and are the city’s most famous products.

Vinegar
Jinci Vinegar, another product that is unique to Taiyuan is famed throughout China. The vinegar was originally brewed in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC). The Mature Vinegar produced here was considered to be the best vinegar during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Yi Yuan Qing Vinegar Workshop is famous for making the vinegar.

Duanmu Inkstone
Originating from the Duanmu Mountain 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from Wutai County, Duanmu Inkstone is another of the local specialties. The ink stone comes in three different colors, purple, black and green. The Purple ink stone is the most sought after of these and if you are interested in Chinese arts and crafts, it is a good idea to buy one to take home!

Paper-Cutting
Paper-CutPaper-cutting is highly skilled and delicate practice that is popular in many places and Taiyuan is one of them. In the rural area of Shanxi Province, people like to make various cut-out designs from colored paper and paste them on their windows as decoration. A really exquisite work of art!
Taiyuan Polished Lacquer Ware is a renowned range of hand made artifacts. Made from wood and coated with natural lacquer these items are not only beautiful to behold but are hard wearing and waterproof. They can be exquisitely decorated with a combination of inlays and painted flowers, birds and the like over which several layers of highly burnished lacquer are applied to create a brilliant and delicate finish.

Taiyuan Polished Lacquer Wares have been renowned since the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The Taiyuan Golden Lacquer Factory produces typical products such as screens, sofa tables, jewelry cases, desks and smoking sets.

Share this tour