Taiyuan

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.

By plane

• Taiyuan Wusu International AirportThere are flights to Beijing, Guangzhou and Xi'an daily and commonly services Chinese tourists wanting to visit Wu Tai Shan and Pingyao.

By train

• Taiyuan Railway Station

• Taiyuan South Railway StationAll high speed trains leave from this station.

By bus

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)
• Yan'an - takes about 9 hours
• Yulin - takes about 8 hours

Minibuses leave the train station parking lot for Datong, Pingyao, Shijiazhuang and Wutaishan National Park .

By bus

Price for local bus as for September 2013 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.

By taxi

Taxi -- cost ¥8 flagfall and expect around ¥15 from train station to Shanxi Museum (Aug 2011).

Temples

• Jinci TempleJinci 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; Xiàn​diàn), The Flying Bridge Across the Fish Pond (鱼沼飞梁; Yú​zhǎo​ Fēi​liáng​), and the Hall of the Holy Mother (圣母殿; Shèng​mǔ​diàn​), 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.

• Yongzuo Temple

  address: Shuangta North Road, Yingze District (迎泽区双塔北路; Yíngzéqū Shuāngtǎběilù)
  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.

• Chongshan Temple

  address: Diliang Street, Yingze District (迎泽区狄梁公街; Yíngzéqū Díliánggōngjiē
  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.

• Duofu Temple

  address: Juewei Mountain (崛围山; Juéwéishān)

• Longquan Temple

Other historical places

• Jindoudaifu Shrine

• Old Mosque

  phone: +86 351 2027142
  address: 20 Jiefang Road (解放路20号; Jiě​fàng​lù)​
  A mosque at this location was first built in the Tang Dynasty, but the present one is much younger.

• Chunyang Palace

  phone: +86 351 8210666
  address: 33 Jianshe North Road (建设北路33号; Jiàn​shè​běi​lù)​
  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.

• Changjinglou

  address: 33 Gulou St, LiuXiang ShangQuan, Xinghualing Qu, Taiyuan Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China, 030002
  Small traditional temple.

• Mengshan Big BuddhaEnormous carved Buddha statue in a hillside, with a replaced modern head.

Museums

• Shanxi Museum

  phone: +86 351 8789014
  address: 13 Binhe West Road (滨河西路北段13号; Bīn​xé​xī​lù​běi​duàn​)
  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.

• China Coal Museum

  phone: +86 351 4117829
  address: 2 Yingze West Avenue (迎泽西大街2号; Yíng​zé​xī​dà​jiē​)
  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.

• Shanxi Science and Technology Museum

  phone: +86 351-6869850, +86 0351-6869817
  address: 晋源区长风商务文化区广经路17号

• Shanxi Art Museum

• Taiyuan Art Museum

• Taiyuan People's Art Museum

• Taiyuan Merchant's Museum

  address: S Shahe North Coastwise, Yingze Qu, Taiyuan Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China, 030001

• Craft Art Museum of Shanxi

  phone: +86 351 202 2337
  address: 328 Yingze St, Yingze Qu, Taiyuan Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China

• Taiyuan MuseumCity museum with interesting modern architectural style.

Nature and parks

• Yingze Park

• Children's park

  phone: +86 351 4066351
  address: Haizibian West Street (海子边西街; Hǎi​zi​bian​xī​jiē)​
  Dating back to the Qing Dynasty. Is home to library, exhibitions, planetarium and a number of older and newer buildings.

• Taiyuan Zoo

  phone: +86 351 3074953
  address: 176 Jianhe Rd

• Forest Park

  phone: +86 351 3551684
  address: Binhe East Road (滨河东路; Bīn​hé​dōng​lù)​
  Artificial forest park landscaped with valleys and rivers. It is features various recreational facilities.

• Jinci Park

• Tianlongshan GrottoesTianlongshan 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.

• Longshan GrottoesBuilt at the beginning of Yuan Dynasty. They comprise a Taoist temple and a number of statues.

• Fenhe Scenic AreaScenic area around Fen River. It includes four theme areas, six natural scenery areas and seven sightseeing spots.

• Juewei Mountain Scenic AreaThe 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.

Theaters

• Shanxi Jin Opera Troupe TheaterStages Beijing Opera performances.

• Changfeng Theater

  phone: +86 351 2028549
  address: 123 Liuxiang South Rd
  The oldest theater in Taiyuan large enough for an audience of 1,200. Stages Beijing Opera performances.

• Hubin Conference Hall

  phone: +86 351 4720059, +86 351 4720064, +86 351 4720084
  address: 180 Yingze Dajie
  Stages performing arts and festivals large enough for an audience of 2,145.

• Taiyuan Liyuan Culture Center

  phone: +86 351 5630586
  address: 148 Qianfeng North Rd
  Comprises halls for opera, folk music, story telling and disco. Stages both modern and traditional performances.

• Shanxi Grand TheatrePerforming arts theatre.

Festivals

• Wheat FestivalFine foods festival focusing on local dishes based on wheat.

• Wine FestivalFestival focusing on Shanxi Province as a centre for local wine production.

• International Folk Art FestivalStages dance, song and theatre and exhibits art and sculpture.

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 and markets

Local products can be found around town, but especially in Liuxiang Shopping District. These products include paper cuttings, jade, dough sculptures and lacquer goods.

• Friendship Store

  address: Yingze Dajie

• Arts and Crafts Store

  address: Yingze Dajie

• Taiyuan Clothing City

  phone: +86 351 4375681
  address: 148 Chaoyang St

• Taiyuan Fine Clothing City

  phone: +86 351 4373334
  address: 146 Chaoyang St

• Yudu Commercial City

  phone: +86 351 4375900
  address: B76 Chaoyang St

• Qinglong Computer City

  phone: +86 351 8710161
  address: 130 Nanneihuan St

• Qinxian Village Flower & Bird Market

  phone: +86 351 7064907
  address: Qinxian Village, Xiaodian District

• Confucius Temple Street Antique MarketLots of small antique shops.

• South Palace Collectibles Market

  address: Yingze Dajie
  Lots of small shops selling all kind of local stuff.

• Shanxi Antique City

  phone: +86 351 4179818
  address: 3 Datiejiang Xiang, Yingze District
  Six story mall selling both real angtiques and copies.

Supermarkets

• Meet All Supermarket

  phone: +86 4008129888

• Hualian Supermarket

• Tangjiu Shopping Center

  phone: +86 351 7053691

• Wal-Mart

Budget

• Haoganggang Mutton Soup Restaurant

• Qingheyuan Restaurant

  address: 97 Qiaotou St
  Breakfast restaurant serving tasty mutton soup.

• Taiyuan Noodle Restaurant

  address: 73 Yingze Ave
  Here you can try the very famous local noodles.

Mid-range

• Brazilian Barbeque

  address: West side of the street, near Wal-mart
  Eat all you can, nice salads.

• Hotpot City

  address: 16 Yingze Ave

• Lüjiayuan

  address: 352 Jiefang Rd
  Vegetarian restaurant.

• Taiyuan Mianshiguan

  phone: +86 351 4041881
  address: 17 Jiefang Rd
  Typical local restaurant.

• Sanjin Restaurant

  phone: +86 351 7242945
  address: 425 Neihuan South St
  Typical local restaurant.

Splurge

• Greenery Cafe

  phone: +86 351 4126388
  address: 9 Shuiximen Street, Yingze District
  Serves Chinese and Western food.

• Waitan Fengshang Western Restaurant

  phone: +86 351 3082068
  address: 246 Bei Dajie
  Serves steaks as well as typical café dishes.

Bars

• Tribes People Bar

  address: 63 Mianhua Xiang

• Xinqing Bar

  address: 14 Yi Wenyuan Xiang

• Ba'er Bar

  address: 100 Qinxian North St
  The first bar to open in the city.

Cafes

• Dio Coffee

  phone: +86 351 8236178
  address: 5 Xinnan Yitiao, Yingze District
  Coffee and Western food. Free internet.

• UBC Coffee

• Jiefang South Road Branch

  phone: +86 351 4060638
  address: 23 Jiefang South Road, Yingze District (迎泽区解放南路23号; Yíng​zé​qū​ Jiěfàngnán​lù​)

• Wenhua Garden Branch

  phone: +86 351 7632318
  address: Changfeng Street (长风街; Cháng​fēng​jiē​)

• Fu West Street Branch

  address: 79 Fu West Street, Xinghualing District (杏花岭区府西街79号; Xìng​huā​lǐng​qū​ Fǔ​xī​jiē​)

Budget

• Hanting Express (Taiyuan Shenglidong Branch)

  phone: +86 351 3231199
  address: (杏花岭区北大街276号; )
  Small rooms with free internet.

• Tielu Hotel

  phone: +86 351 4040624
  address: 18 Yingze Ave

• Vico Inn (Taiyuan Fuzhuang City Branch)

  address: 115 Shungta North Road, Yingze District (迎泽区双塔北路115号; Yíng​zé​qū​ Shuāng​tǎ​běi​lù​)
  Rooms with sofas and free internet. Most of the rooms also have refrigerator and safe. Business center available.

• Yun Shan Hotel

  phone: +86 351 4964862
  address: 99 Yingze Ave

Mid-range

• Changtai Fandian

  phone: +86 351 2230888
  address: 60 Yingze Dong Dajie

• Shanxi Dianli Dasha

  phone: +86 351 4041784
  address: 39 Yingze Dajie

• Shanxi Huayuan Binguan

  phone: +86 351 4046201
  address: 9 Yingze Dajie

Splurge

• Yingze Binguan

  phone: +86 351 8828888
  address: 189 Yingze Dajie

• World Trade Hotel Jin Jiang

  phone: +86-21-61226688 ext 7800
  address: 69 Fuxi Street, Xinghualing District
  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.

• Pingyao - Famous for its ancient walled city (generally considered the best in China), the typical route taken there is through Taiyuan
• Wutaishan National Park