Taiyuan (太原 Tàiyuán) is the capital of Shanxi Province It is an important central city in the central region of the province and a common stopover between Wu Tai Shan and Pingyao.
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Situated next to the 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.
Price for local bus as of December 2023 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).
1 Jinci Temple (晋祠寺 Jìncísì) (25 km southwest of central Taiyuan. Take bus 8 (from the railway station) or 804 for about 45 minutes. Also bus 308 from near railway station about 1.5 hours, ¥2.5;). 7:30AM-6:30PM. AAAAA Tourist Attractions of China. Jinci 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.
Shanxi Jin Opera Troupe Theater. Stages Beijing Opera performances. 1 Changfeng Theater (长风剧场 Chángfēng Jùchǎng), 123 Liuxiang South Rd, ☏ +86 351 2028549. The oldest theater in Taiyuan large enough for an audience of 1,200. Stages Beijing Opera performances. Hubin Conference Hall (湖滨会堂 Húbīn Huìtáng), 180 Yingze Dajie, ☏ +86 351 4720059, +86 351 4720064, +86 351 4720084. Stages performing arts and festivals large enough for an audience of 2,145. Taiyuan Liyuan Culture Center (太原梨园文化中心 Tàiyuán Líyuán Wénhuà Zhōngxīn), 148 Qianfeng North Rd, ☏ +86 351 5630586. Comprises halls for opera, folk music, story telling and disco. Stages both modern and traditional performances.
Haoganggang Mutton Soup Restaurant (At the north entrance of Liuxiang). Qingheyuan Restaurant, 97 Qiaotou St. Breakfast restaurant serving tasty mutton soup. Taiyuan Noodle Restaurant, 73 Yingze Ave (At the junction of Dananmen and Yingze Avenue). Here you can try the very famous local noodles. Brazilian Barbeque (Xinjian South Road), West side of the street, near Wal-mart. Eat all you can, nice salads. Around ¥40 per person. Hotpot City, 16 Yingze Ave (Close to the train station). Lüjiayuan, 352 Jiefang Rd (Opposite the Agriculture Bank of China). Vegetarian restaurant. Taiyuan Mianshiguan, 17 Jiefang Rd, ☏ +86 351 4041881. 11AM-3PM, 5:30PM-9:30PM. Typical local restaurant.
Tribes People Bar, 63 Mianhua Xiang. Xinqing Bar (lit. Mood Bar), 14 Yi Wenyuan Xiang. Ba'er Bar, 100 Qinxian North St. The first bar to open in the city. 1 Dio Coffee (迪欧咖啡), 5 Xinnan Yitiao, Yingze District, ☏ +86 351 8236178. Coffee and Western food. Free internet. UBC Coffee (上岛咖啡 Shàngdǎo Kāfēi). Wenhua Garden Branch (文华苑店 Wénhuáyuàndiàn), Changfeng Street (长风街 Chángfēngjiē), ☏ +86 351 7632318. Fu West Street Branch (府西街店 Fǔxījiēdiàn), 79 Fu West Street, Xinghualing District (杏花岭区府西街79号 Xìnghuālǐngqū Fǔxījiē).
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Taiyuan typically sees ~29°C daytime highs and 13 rainy days.
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