Taiyuan Travel Guide
Taiyuan Facts
Chinese Name: 太原 (tài yuán)
Population: 4,461,900
Area: 6,909 square kilometers (2668 square miles)
Location: in the central area of Shanxi Province, north China
Administrative Division: 6 districts (Xiaodian, Yingze, Xinghualing, Jiancaoping, Wanbailin, Jinyuan); 3 counties (Qingxu, Yangqu, Loufan); 1 county-level city (Gujiao)
Area Code: 0351
Zip Code: 030000
GDP (2019): CNY 402.851 billion (USD 58.393 billion)
One of China’s Main Industrial Cities with Many Historical Sites
Bounded on three sides by mountains, Taiyuan is the capital of Shanxi Province and one of the most important energy and industrial bases in China. Comparing Taiyuan with any ancient capital in China, it is not inferior. With a history of more than 2,500 years, Taiyuan once was an important political, military, economic, and cultural center in ancient North China.
It boasts abundant tourism resources varying from famous mountains to grottoes, temples, lakes, caves, ancient buildings and relics. Among them, the statues of the maid of the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) in the Jinci Temple show different postures vividly; the grottoes and statues of the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581 - 907) in the Tianlong Mountain and the two pagodas standing at Yongyou Temple have always attracted visitors' attention. In the evening, you can go to Liu Alley which has the largest night market in northern China, to taste local delicacies and buy special products. It is also very convenient to transfer to other hot Shanxi tourism spots from Taiyuan such as Mount Wutai, Yungang Grottoes, Mt. Taihang, Ancient City of Pingyao and Hukou Waterfalls.
The city has a wealth of attractions and notably among these is the Jinci Temple. This is the city's most attractive temple although the Shuangta Si (Twin-Pagoda Temple) has become a symbol of the city on account of its unique architecture. Another major attraction is the Tianlong Shan Stone Caves where magnificent sculptures dating from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) may be seen.
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Recommended Tours
Hiking Tour: 4 Itinerarys for hiking around Taiyuan city
Golf Tour: 7 Days Golf Tour of Taiyuan - Pingyao - Zhengzhou - Luoyang - Zhengzhou
Taiyuan benefits from convenient public transport systems as the city is the provincial transportation hub. Accommodation facilities have become more and more advanced over recent years and range from 5-star hotels to a selection of comfortable guest houses.
Taiyuan Travel Tips
Festival: Initiated in 1991, Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Arts Festival is held annually in September, and every other year in the city. Groups from Russia, Korea, Japan, Singapore and Inner Mongolia attend the festival and perform for audiences. Within the festival, an exhibition of fine arts, painting, paper-cutting, sculpture, drama, acrobatic and the culture of costume will open your eyes to a wealth of international folk culture. Local products: The gourmand should be aware that Shanxi noodles are highly reputed all over the country, as well as the local vinegar. Other local delicacies are the Tou Nao, the Steamed Dumpling, Sausages and Mutton Soup. To accompany these wholesome foods there are Fen Jiu (Fen Wine) and Zhuye Qing (Zhuye Qing Wine). As well as its cuisine the city is noted for products such as finely crafted lacquer ware. Local Highlights: It has a 2500-year history and in ancient times was an important military town. Now it is one of China's heavy industrial cities and accounts for more than half the national coal mining output. While the local emphasis is upon heavy industry certain aspects of city life such as cultural development has suffered from some neglect. This could be a problem and needs action to be taken.
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Further Reading: Dining Shopping & Nightlife Map