Taiyuan Attractions
Taiyuan lies in the center of Shanxi province in northern China, on the northern edge of the fertile Taixuan Basin.
There were settlements in this region back in Neolithic times. The town was founded about 2400 years ago, under the name of Jinyang. It found itself under constant attack from tribes from the north who used it as a base for further conquering sorties. In the early 7th C Li Yuan led a peasants' uprising, overturned the Sui dynasty and in 618 established the Tang dynasty. Wars brought about the destruction of Jinyang in 979. It was rebuilt three years later and renamed Songcheng. In 1375 the town expanded enormously, became the seat of government for the Taiyuan region from which it took its name. The viceroys of Shanxi province resided here during the Ming period (1368-1644). The ''White Lotus'' secret society, which had been in existence since the 11th C, supported the xenophobic movement which led to the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion.
Today Taiyuan is not only the political and cultural focus of Shanxi province but also one of northern China's major industrial centers.
There were settlements in this region back in Neolithic times. The town was founded about 2400 years ago, under the name of Jinyang. It found itself under constant attack from tribes from the north who used it as a base for further conquering sorties. In the early 7th C Li Yuan led a peasants' uprising, overturned the Sui dynasty and in 618 established the Tang dynasty. Wars brought about the destruction of Jinyang in 979. It was rebuilt three years later and renamed Songcheng. In 1375 the town expanded enormously, became the seat of government for the Taiyuan region from which it took its name. The viceroys of Shanxi province resided here during the Ming period (1368-1644). The ''White Lotus'' secret society, which had been in existence since the 11th C, supported the xenophobic movement which led to the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion.
Today Taiyuan is not only the political and cultural focus of Shanxi province but also one of northern China's major industrial centers.
Temple of the Double Pagodas
The Temple of the Double Pagodas in the southeast of Taiyuan was so named because of its two pagodas, each 54m/177ft high, which serve as the city's emblem.
A winding internal staircase enables visitors to climb up to the 13th floor of either pagoda, from where they can enjoy a superb view over the city.
A winding internal staircase enables visitors to climb up to the 13th floor of either pagoda, from where they can enjoy a superb view over the city.
Provincial Museum
Located in the east of the city, the Provincial Museum is housed in a former Jin (1115-1234) temple; on display are finds from the Neolithic Age, as well as bronzes, lacquer-work and paintings from various dynasties.
Another department of the museum can be found in the Chungjang Gong Palace to the west.
Another department of the museum can be found in the Chungjang Gong Palace to the west.
Taiyuan Surroundings
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Mount Wutaishan
Mount Wutaishan, a holy Buddhist mountain, is home to some 58 monasteries. There have been monasteries on the mountain since the Eastern Han period in the 1st to 3rd C.
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Temple of Jinci
The Temple of Jinci was established around the early 7th C and has expanded over the years. The complex today includes approximately 100 structures.
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Medieval Town of Pingyao, China
The unique and beautifully preserved medieval town of Pingyao boasts of six gate-towers, 72 small watch-towers and 3,000 merlons.
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Monastery of Eternal Joy
The 13th C Monastery of Eternal Joy is famous for its beautiful and extensive wall paintings. It was also the birthplace of Taoist Lü Donghin.
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Temple of the Great Victory
The Temple of the Great Victory has been on this site since 147 but was rebuilt to its present form in the early 16th C, following a devastating earthquake.
Temple of the Two Forests
This temple 7km/4.5mi southwest of Pingyao covers an area of some 1.5ha/4.25acres; founded in 571, it was rebuilt during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). There are three courtyards around which are grouped ten temple halls. Its 2052 clay sculptures make it a truly representative museum of the Buddhist sculptor's art.
Caves on Mount Longshan
The Taoist caves on Mount Longshan, 20km/12.5mi southwest of Taiyuan, date from the Yuan period (1271-1368). They contain more than 40 sculptures and inscriptions.
Hanging Temple
Some 60km/37mi southwest of Taiyuan, in the Jiaocheng district, a Buddhist temple dating from 472 has been built on a steep rock-face - hence its name. It is the Shrine of the Denomination of the Land of the Pure (Jingtuzong). In the second half of the 19th C it was almost completely burned down; only the Pavilion of a Thousand Buddhas (Qianfo Ge) remained intact. The edifice was restored to its former glory when it was rebuilt in 1955, and it is now home to more than 70 sculptures in wood, clay and wrought-iron.
The Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tianwang Dian) dates from 1605 and is the oldest building in the complex.
The Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tianwang Dian) dates from 1605 and is the oldest building in the complex.
Village of the Apricot Blossom, China
The village of Xinghuacun, 105km/65mi southwest of Taiyuan, is known worldwide for its Fen Jiu, distilled from corn, using pure water from the Heavenly Spring (Shenjing). Such spirits have been produced in Xinghuacun for 1500 years and still make an important contribution to its economy.
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