Taiyuan, located roughly in the center of Shanxi, is not the top tourist destination because it is overshadowed by the glories of the nearby UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Datong Yungang Grottoes, Pingyao Ancient City and Mount Wutai as well as awe-inspiring National Heritage site Hanging Temple in Datong. However, it is well worthwhile to spend 1 or 2 days exploring Taiyuan city. With a history of over 2,500 years, Taiyuan was a significant political, military, economic and cultural center in ancient China. Currently, it is also the largest city and the capital of Shanxi. Undoubtedly, you will have lots of cultural and modern attractions to admire in your Taiyuan trip.
From the classic must-see historical sites to local haunts, there are many places to visit. Visiting museums and temples allow you to probe into Taiyuan's history and culture while the local parks are good places to experience the daily life of local people. Read more about Top Attractions in Taiyuan to find more attractions in Taiyuan & around.
Jinci Temple is a combination of ancestral temple sacrificial architecture and natural landscape. You can admire many valuable halls, pavilions, exquisite murals and sculptures dating back to hundreds of years ago.
Shanxi Museum, collecting over 500,000 pieces of cultural relics in its 12 basic exhibits and 3 special exhibits, perfectly show the history of achievement of Shanxi through thousands of year. Special exhibits focus on Buddhism, opera, architecture, etc.
Shanxi is well known for producing coal. In The Coal Museum of China, you can enjoy the scenes of coal production and learn development of Chinese coal industry and culture. Do not miss the science exhibition of “A Tour to the Coal Sea”.
Twin Pagoda Temple is famous for its two brick pagodas which were erected during Ming Dynasty (1368~1644). The stone sculptures in the temple makes it an ideal place to appreciate Chinese calligraphy as well.
Firstly built in 1381 during Ming Dynasty, Chongshan Temple is a Buddhist temple housing the headquarters of Shanxi Buddhist Association. Many treasures, like Buddhist sutras and sublime statues are cherished.
Yingze Park, located in the city center of Taiyuan, is a wonderful place to join the local people and explore the real local city life of Taiyuan. Interesting activities in the park include boating, arcade games, skating, golf, etc.
Apart from the top attractions to see in Taiyuan, you are also available to get some interesting things to do. You are strongly recommended attend Shanxi Taiyuan Folk Art Festival or taste the various kinds of wheaten food inn Taiyuan. Read more about Activities in Taiyuan to find more things to do in Pingyao.
If you travel Taiyuan during Shanxi Taiyuan Folk Art Festival, you can be immersed in the happy atmosphere and enjoy the splendid shows, including light show, dragon dance, circus performances, etc.
Taiyuan wheaten food is the most famous one in Shanxi, with various kinds, long history and respective cooking methods. You could taste sliced noodles, pulled noodles, Mao Erduo, Bo Yu, Jiu Pian and many other types.
Taiyuan enjoys a continental monsoon climate, with dry spring, warm summer, cool winter and cold winter. The annual average temperature is 9.3°C (48.7°F). Its highest average temperature takes place in July and the lowest average temperature take place in January usually.
Generally speaking, Taiyuan is suitable to travel all the year around because its cultural charm won't be affected by weather. However, if you want to travel in the most comfortable days, the best time is April to October. It is rather cold in winter, especially in January. But if you want to avoid the crowds, winter is a nice choice.
As the capital city, Taiyuan is the busiest transfer hub of Shanxi province. It can be reached from most China's provincial cities easily and offers quick access to the nearby tourist destinations conveniently.
Flights to Taiyuan: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport can be reached by several international flights, including St Petersburg (Russia), Bangkok (Thailand), Osaka (Japan), Nagoya (Japan) and Chicago (USA), and many domestic flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xiamen, Hanghzou, Xining, Lhasa, etc.
High Speed Trains to Taiyuan: It is also available to take a high speed train to Taiyuan from Beijing (2.5~3.5 hrs), Xian (3~4 hrs), Datong (2~2.5 hrs), Pingyao (about 0.5 hr), Shengyang (about 7.5 hrs), Hangzhou (about 8.5 hrs) and many other cities.
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There are enough hotels and hostels in Taiyuan. No matter you want luxury accommodation or budget or comfortable stay, you can find some hotels available. It is strongly recommended to accommodate in downtown area, which offers quick access to the tourist attractions, airport, train stations and shopping areas.
Recommended hotels include World Trade Hotel Shanxi - the first 5-star business hotel in Shanxi with great view rooms, Taiyuan Wanda Vista Hotel – another 5-star hotel featured with excellent facilities and superb service and InterContinental Taiyuan – top rated 5-star hotels at TripAdvisor.
Before your Taiyuan tour, getting a visualized understanding of Taiyuan's geographic location, transfer means and travel routes will make full of your holiday. Here are our updated Taiyuan Maps and download them freely. If you want to get more Taiyuan Location Maps, Taiyuan Transfer Maps and Taiyuan Tourist Maps, check more at All Taiyuan Maps. Check more Taiyuan Maps>
Taiyuan City Map
Shanxi Attractions Map
If Taiyuan is the preface of your Shanxi tour, congratulations! Because more cultural splendors and natural beauty of Shanxi await your discovery. You can unveil the mystery of Hanging Temple and admire the ancient grottoes art in Datong, walk into the world over 2,000 years across time and space in Pingyao, pay a homage to Mount Wutai – the first one of China's Five Sacred Buddhist Mountain and get astonished by the world's largest yellow waterfall in Linfen.
We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable wonderful trips to Shanxi for the past few years. Among them, a sweet couple from the UK traveled with us and spent 21 Happy Days in Datong, Pingyao, Mount Wutai, Xi'an and 5 Other Cities in Northern China, and shared us their special travel story!
Moreover, we got more than 2,020+ good reviews on TripAdvisor.com, and over 3,980+ China travel reviews from our customers. Travel with China Discovery to create your great China trip memories!
All itineraries and side trips can be customized privately, so please feel free to contact with our travel consultants if you have this kind of need.
This 6 Days Tour takes you to explore 3 magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites - from the man-made wonder Yungang Grottoes in Datong to the Ancient City of Pingyao via the Sacred Mount Wutai (Wutaishan), as well as many unexpected sights.
This 3 days tour takes you experience the ancient feature of Pingyao from Taiyuan. You will have an insight of the culture and history of the two cities
Trace back to discover ancient architectural wonders and learn about the history, also admire the brilliant Buddhist culture and art in Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple. It’s a fusion exploration of World Cultural Heritage in different ancient dynasties.
Datong Yungang Grottoes and Mount Wutaishan Discovery Tour. Transfer by a private vehicle throughout the tour, and also be taken care well of by a local tour guide.
Xian and Pingyao represent two different kinds of culture. This tour take you to experience the charms of their history and culture. You will travel from Pingyao to Xian by bullet train.
In this tour, you will step into the old city for historic sightseeing and admire the crashing waves and thundering waterfall group of Hukou.
Explore the spectacular diversity of Shanxi from the ancient Buddhist grottoes to hanging temples, royal palaces to ancient folk city, plateau mountain to breathtaking waterfall.
6 days Beijing Datong Tour takes you to visit featured sites of Beijing and extend tours to Datong by train to see the magnificent Yungang Grottoes.
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