Taiyuan Travel Guide - Brief Information on Taiyuan

Taiyuan, with a history over 2,500 years, has enjoyed a reputation of “Splendid Taiyuan City” since ancient times. As a capital city, Taiyuan has been the political, economic, cultural, educational, technology and transportation center of Shanxi province for many years. Besides, Taiyuan is an important city boosting energy and heavy chemical industry in modern China, as well as one of the most famous historic cities in north China. With thousands of years’ development, Taiyuan has become a modern industrial city with complete industrial categories.

In 2003, Taiyuan welcomed the 2500th anniversary ceremony of its establishment. With profound history, magnificent culture and abundant resources, Taiyuan is never overshadowed by other famous ancient cities, like Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou and so on. Located in the heartland of the conflict between Han Nation and Grassland Nations, Taiyuan has formed its unique culture since ancient time.

Owing to the profound history, Taiyuan possesses numerous tourist attractions in different categories including famous mountain, stone cave, temple, lake, forest, hot spring, Karst cave, gorge, river, ancient architecture, ancient relic, former residence of famous people, museum and so on. In Jinci Temple, the Figures of the Maidservants are standing vividly in the Saint Mother Hall with kinds of postures which become the main attracting point for tourists, receiving high reputation home and abroad. Mt. Wutai, one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism in China (others are Mt. Putuo in Zhejiang Province, Mt. Jiuhua in Anhui Province and Emei Mountain in Sichuan Province), was enrolled in World Heritage List in 2009. Twin Pagoda Temple, built up in Ming Dynasty, is treated as the symbol of Taiyuan and named of “Wonder in Jinyang (the former name of Taiyuan)”.

Taiyuan transportation is developing quickly in recent years. As Taiyuan is the provincial transportation hub, it benefits from convenient public transport systems. Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, located in the south of Taiyuan city, has opened several direct routes to the major cities in China; many trains have been launched from Taiyuan Railway Station to other places in China; shuttle buses are available in Taiyuan to all cities in Shanxi province and most of the other large cities in China.

Among various Taiyuan foods, “Tou Nao” is the most popular and must-eat one, which is a kind of Muslim cuisine and usually provided for breakfast. Besides, Shanxi noodles are also well-known throughout China. When talking about noodles in China, probably Shanxi noodles will occur to everyone’s mind. Each kind of noodle like sliced noodles, pulled noodles and Mao Erduo are cooked by a special method, all worth your tasting. To accompany these wholesome foods there are Fen Wine and Zhuye Qing Wine.

As a modernized city, Taiyuan is well equipped with public facilities. Different grades of hotels in Taiyuan stand in great numbers in the city to meet the demands of different level visitors, and many unit hostels, private hotels spread all over streets. In the area around the railway station, many low-price hotels and hostels with local characteristics are situated. Some top-grade hotels gather on both sides of Yingze Street.

Shopping in Taiyuan is also convenient for tourists. Most of shopping malls all assemble in commercial streets, such as Yingze Dong Road and Wuyi Road. Tourists interested in Taiyuan folk customs may also find some proper places to buy souvenirs, and the most recommended street is Liu Xiang Street.

At night, people still has many places to enjoy their colorful nightlife in Taiyuan. Bars and clubs in City Square are the best choice to experience modern Taiyuan’s night, and Chinese opera performance in some tea houses can also leave you a traditional expression of Taiyuan.