How to Get to & Get around Taiyuan

Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (IATA: TYN)

Location: Taiyu Road, Xiaodian District, Taiyuan, Shanxi (山西省太原市小店区太榆路), about 16 km, 30 minutes’ drive to Taiyuan downtown (Yingze Park), 24 km, 30 minutes’ drive to Jinci Temple, and only 7 km, 15 minutes’ drive to Taiyuan South Railway Station.

Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (太原武宿国际机场) is built in 1939. It now operates over 130 airlines connecting with over 70 domestic and foreign cities such as Beijing (1.5h), Shanghai (2.5h), Chengdu (2h10min), Chongqing (2h), Wuhan (2h), Kunming (3h), Hangzhou (2.5h), Xiamen (3h) in China, Bangkok (5.5h) in Thailand, etc. Airport shuttle bus can take you to downtown/airport conveniently within an hour.

Beijing is about 490 km (6h by car) to the northeast of Taiyuan. The most convenient and recommended transfer way is by high speed train (2.5-3.5h). There are about 30 trains a day, among which around 20 are high speed trains from Beijing West Railway Station to Taiyuan South Railway Station. Flights are also available. There are 3-5 direct flights (1.5h) a day from Beijing Capital International Airport to Taiyuan Wusu International Airport. But with the operation of high speed trains, fewer people now will choose to take a flight.

• Useful Links: Beijing to Taiyuan Train Schedule | Taiyuan to Beijing Train Schedule

• Recommended Tours: 8 Days Ancient Beijing & Shanxi Culture Tour

Get from Datong to Taiyuan

Datong, hometown of Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple, is located about 277 km to the north of Taiyuan. You can take a private car (3.5-4h) or high speed train (2-2.5h) to finish the transfer. There are about 20 trains a day and more than half are high speed trains. Normal trains will need 4-6 hours. Apart from that, direct flight is also available. It will take 60-80 minutes, but you need to set aside more time on getting to the airport and checking in, so taking a flight is not that recommended.

• Useful Links: Travel from Datong to Taiyuan | Travel from Taiyuan to Datong

• Recommended Tours: 6 Days Essence Tour to Datong Wutaishan Taiyuan & Pingyao

For independent travellers, the most common way to get around Taiyuan is by Taxi or bus. Subway in Taiyuan is under construction now.

By subway: Metro Line 2 that runs north-south through the central axis of Taiyuan is expected to be put into operation at the end of 2020. Metro Line 1 mainly connects Taiyuan downtown with major transportation hubs such as Taiyuan South Railway Station and the airport and it is planned to open in 2024.

By taxi: Taking a taxi to tour around Taiyuan city can save you much time. Generally speaking, the fare is CNY8 for the first 3 kilometers, then charging CNY1.6 for each additional kilometer. The taxi fare will be a little higher at night.

By bus: There are over 240 bus routes in Taiyuan covering not only downtown but also the suburb and subordinate counties. The buses usually charge CNY 1-2 and some longer lines will charge about CNY 5.

How to Get to Jinci Temple

Jinci Temple is located in Jingci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan, Shanxi (山西省太原市晋源区晋祠镇), about 26 km (40 minutes’ drive) southwest of Taiyuan downtown (Yingze Park), 24 km (30 minutes’ drive) from Taiyuan Wusu International Airport. Unlike other attractions such as Twin Pagoda Temple, Chongshan Temple, Shanxi Museum that are near or in downtown, Jinci Temple is a little far from city center. Bus is available but it will need about 1.5 hours, so it is more recommended to take a taxi or charter a car to Jinci Temple.