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Taiyuan has 33 national key cultural relics protection sites, 13 provincial cultural relics protection sites, and 157 municipal cultural relics protection sites, including the Jin Temple Gardens, Yongzuo Temple, Lingxiao Twin Pagodas, Longshan Grottoes, and the Mengshan Giant Buddha. These historical sites bear witness to Taiyuan's long history and culture and are an important part of China's and even the world's cultural heritage.
Yet, the city of Taiyuan remains remarkably understated, quietly storing countless once-amazing cultural relics in its museums, awaiting the opportunity for future generations to dust off the dust of history and trace the thread of civilization. Taiyuan boasts 101 museums, and unlike typical indoor museums, these also encompass ancient buildings and gardens, such as the Jin Temple and the Yongzuo Temple. These museums feature original, in-situ exhibitions, breaking the mold of museums confined to exhibition halls.
After four days of touring Taiyuan's 10 museums, I've compiled this guide. I hope it'll be helpful to you out there!
Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province, is also known as Bingzhou, Jinyang in ancient times, and Dragon City. Taiyuan boasts a history of over 4,700 years, including 2,500 years of city construction. There are traces of the city dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty.
When discussing Taiyuan's history, one cannot avoid mentioning Tang Shuyu, the founding father of the State of Jin and the creator of the Three Jins culture. His contributions to history are indelible. The Jin Temple was built in commemoration of Tang Shuyu and his mother, Queen Yi Jiang.
Taiyuan has been a strategic location since ancient times, known as "a strategic point on the four frontiers and a capital city controlling the five original regions." Located on a crucial transportation route, it controls the surrounding passes and serves as a vital hub connecting various regions. Surrounded by numerous mountains—Eastern Mountain, Western Mountain, Mengshan Mountain, Taishan Mountain, and Tianlong Mountain—they served as crucial military barriers in ancient times. Millennia later, the mountains still boast numerous ancient buildings, grottoes, and temples, including the Mengshan Giant Buddha and the Tianlongshan Grottoes.
There is only one subway line in Taiyuan. Buses are cheap but slow, and taxis are cheaper than in other cities. In addition to driving, taxis and shared bicycles are convenient ways for tourists to travel.
The Taiyuan Northern Qi Mural Museum will open to the public at the end of 2023. Initially, tickets were hard to come by, even booking tickets at designated locations. However, it's relatively easy to book online now, and booking early generally secures entry.
To celebrate the museum's opening, the Northern Qi Mural Museum is showcasing original murals on loan from the Shanxi Museum. These will undoubtedly be returned to storage, and it's unclear how many years it will take to see the originals again. So, if you're visiting Taiyuan soon, don't miss this museum.
The stylistic characteristics of Northern Qi painting are primarily reflected in the coexistence of realism and exaggeration, harmonious and elegant colors, smooth and natural lines, concise composition, and the inheritance and development of Han and Wei traditions. Tomb murals, in particular, demonstrate the multifaceted nature of this period's painting style. Technically, Northern Qi painters excelled in the use of vigorous and elegant wire outlines and meticulous detail, resulting in images that are both rigorous and accurate, as well as vivid and moving.
The Northern Qi Mural Museum, built on the site of Xu Xianxiu's tomb, has three exhibition halls. The second hall showcases the burial mound, the tomb passage, and unearthed artifacts. The first and third halls display original murals from the tombs of Lou Rui in Taiyuan, Jiuyuangang in Xinzhou, and Shuiquanliang in Shuozhou. The exhibition layout is excellent, with glass reflections largely avoided. The crowds were mostly adults, so the crowds were quiet.
Currently, only professionals are allowed to enter the tomb chamber to view the original murals. Visitors can stand behind the glass windows to see the murals on the tomb passage and door. It's recommended to bring a camera with a telephoto lens or binoculars for a clearer view. Behind the glass windows is the burial mound, and on either side are display cases containing unearthed artifacts. The pair of terracotta figurines are particularly popular online.
The tomb of Lou Rui is located 1 kilometer southwest of Wangguo Village, Jin Temple, Taiyuan City. The remaining murals cover an area of about 220 square meters. The content is roughly divided into two parts. One part depicts the glorious life of the tomb owner during his lifetime, and the other part depicts the scene of the tomb owner going to the Western Paradise after his death. The painting skills are exquisite, and the characters have different expressions and are lifelike.
The Jiuyuangang Tombs are located on the southern edge of Xinzhou City's commanding heights. It's speculated that the tombs were occupied by key figures of the Gao clan during the Northern Qi Dynasty. The hunting murals within the tombs are the largest surviving in China, covering a total area of approximately 70 square meters.
Standing in front of the mural, you will be dazzled by the various gods and beasts, as if you have walked into the world of "Classic of Mountains and Seas"; you can also see a spirited young man riding a horse, "holding Huang on the left and Cang on the right", as if he is directing hunting dogs and eagles to hunt.
The Shuiquanliang Northern Qi Mural Tomb is located in the southwest of Shuocheng District, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province. The Northern Qi Mural Museum exhibits "Banquet of the Tomb Owner and His Wife" on the north wall of the tomb chamber. A variety of food is placed on high-footed bowls and flat plates in front of the bed. To the left of the male tomb owner are seven male musicians and attendants, while to the right of the female tomb owner are five female musicians and attendants. Each of these figures holds various musical instruments and the couple's daily utensils, recreating scenes from the daily lives of the Northern Qi aristocracy.
Tips:
Transportation: The Northern Qi Mural Museum has only one dedicated bus, the Y7 bus, which runs every hour on weekdays. The museum is also outside the range of shared bikes, so if you want to save time, take a taxi.
The Taiyuan Northern Qi Mural Museum has three exhibition halls, with free guided tours of the first and third halls. Free guided tours are available from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Additional sessions are held on weekends at 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻Before coming to the Northern Qi Museum, I did some research and strongly recommended Chen Danqing's "Feast of Lines".
⏰Opening hours: Summer: 9:00-17:00 Winter: 9:00-16:30 (Closed on Mondays, holidays and other arrangements)
💰Tickets: Currently free, reservations are required. Entry is by QR code or ID card. Those aged 60 and above (inclusive) can enter the museum without reservation by bringing their ID card.
Yongzuo Temple, commonly known as the Twin Pagodas Temple, was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The Yongzuo Twin Pagodas are one of Taiyuan's landmark buildings, two Ming Dynasty brick pagodas. Currently, the Xuanwen Pagoda is open to the public.
Just in front of the Wuliang Hall, there is a sign introducing the peony. It is the only Ming Dynasty peony discovered in the country so far and the oldest temple peony. If you want to see the peonies, go there around the end of April.
The beamless hall is two stories high and rectangular in plan. The lower level is five bays wide, while the upper level is three bays wide. The central bay has a square dome, while the secondary bays have two horizontal arches. The brick-carved caisson ceiling on the top is truly a masterpiece.
This Ming Dynasty brick pagoda is considered the tallest of my country's twin towers. It's a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site, and climbing is now permitted. How many Ming Dynasty pagodas are still accessible? See and cherish them!
Wenfeng Pagoda, commonly known as the East Pagoda, was built in the 27th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty. It is 54.76 meters tall, has 13 floors, and is octagonal in plan. It is a typical pavilion-style hollow brick pagoda. Xuanwen Pagoda, commonly known as the West Pagoda, was built in the 39th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty. It is 54.78 meters tall, has 13 floors, and is octagonal in plan. The pagoda top is made of copper and iron.
The stairs at Xuanwen Pagoda are narrow and steep. Two people would have to be close to the wall to climb them simultaneously. In narrow places, only one person can fit through. The stairs become narrower as you go up, with only enough space for one person at the top. Climbing the tower is not recommended for the elderly, children, those with underlying health conditions, those afraid of heights, or those with claustrophobia.
The temple is rich in inscriptions, with numerous stele carvings and stone carvings scattered throughout the courtyard. A courtyard west of the twin towers houses a stele museum, showcasing the Ming Dynasty's "Baoxiantang Collection of Ancient Calligraphy," a collection of 128 calligraphic masterpieces spanning thousands of years, from the ancient Cangjie to the Ming Dynasty's Zhang Bi.
Tips: Transportation: After visiting the Northern Qi Mural Museum, a ride-hailing service to the north gate of Twin Pagoda Park costs less than 10 RMB. If there's no direct bus, the journey will take an hour, so taking a taxi is recommended. Entering the park's north gate, you'll see a white marble bridge. A short walk across the bridge will take you to the Eternal Pagoda Visitor Center. There are lockers at the visitor center, so it's recommended to store your bags there and travel light. There's a sign at the entrance to the visitor center; scan the QR code to purchase your ticket. Enter the park through the entrance and exit of Eternal Pagoda.
⏰Shuangta Park opening hours: 5:30～21:30
⏰Twin Towers Museum opening hours: 09:00~17:00
💰Twin Towers Museum off-season ticket price: 20, peak season ticket price 30, purchased on-site, visiting time 2.5 hours.
Chunyang Palace, the Shanxi Ancient Architecture Museum, formerly part of the Shanxi Provincial Museum, boasts a rich collection of exhibits. Originally built during the Yuan Dynasty, the palace's current architecture largely dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a museum that integrates ancient architecture and cultural relics.
The layout of Chunyang Palace, from south to north along its central axis, includes the Gate of Morality, the Hall of Offering, the Hall of Lü Zu, the Nine Kilns and Eighteen Caves, and the Jade Emperor Pavilion. The three unique features of Chunyang Palace are the Nirvana Transformation Monument, the stone statue of Changyang Taizun, and the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Courtyard.
Tips: Transportation: It usually takes 15 minutes to take a taxi from Yongzuo Temple to Chunyang Palace.
💰Tickets: 30 yuan per person. Tickets can be purchased on site.
⏰Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30), closed on Mondays (except national holidays).
Located in the west corridor of the first courtyard, this stone stele, a relic of the former Dayun Temple in Linyi County, Shanxi Province, was built by Empress Wu Zetian in the second year of the Tianshou reign of the Tang Dynasty. It is the only one of its kind, featuring the six images of the Nirvana Transformation. Imagine such a precious stele, without a glass cover, symbolically secured by ropes. If you stretch out your hand, you can even touch the stele. Photographing and viewing the stele is welcome, so we encourage everyone to cherish this opportunity and take good care of it.
This statue is located in the main hall of the final courtyard. Carved in the seventh year of the Kaiyuan reign of the Tang Dynasty, it is a representative work of the prosperous Kaiyuan era. Due to historical reasons, Tang Dynasty Taoist statues are rare, and this one is the best preserved. There are inscriptions near the base.
Built during the Ming Dynasty, the entire courtyard is constructed according to the eight trigrams. The central pavilion forms the Nine Palaces, and brick cave dwellings are located on all eight sides of the courtyard, commonly known as the "Nine Caves and Eighteen Caves." Even more remarkable is the corridor on the second floor, which connects in all directions like a crossroads. This is the only such courtyard in China with this arrangement.
Overall, Chunyang Palace is filled with treasures. The Buddhist and Taoist statues are made of stone, bronze, iron, and even wood. The various inscriptions are all very old, some of which are placed indoors, others in the corridors. There are so many that it feels like there's no room for them. Volunteers are available to give free guided tours from time to time.
Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin had visited Jin Temple before. In the "Preliminary Survey of Ancient Buildings in Jinfen", it is written:
Upon entering the Jin Temple, we were pleasantly surprised by the indescribable beauty and radiance of the vast garden, exceeding our initial expectations. Unable to find a name for it, we can only call it a garden. In reality, the layout of the Jin Temple resembles both the courtyards of a temple and the magnificent gardens of a palace, combining a grand and spacious atmosphere with a winding and profound elegance. The halls and pavilions, nestled among swaying ancient trees and reflecting pools, truly resemble an enlarged private garden.
Jin Temple is a large garden. The front is free to enter. As Liang Lin said, it has an ancient and profound beauty. The main purpose is the Jin Temple Museum at the back, which charges admission.
Jin Temple, formerly known as the Jinwang Temple, commemorates Tang Shuyu, the first prince of the Jin State in the Western Zhou Dynasty, and his mother, Yi Jiang. The Jin Temple marks the beginning of the Spring and Autumn Period and the watershed between the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, bearing witness to the 700-year hegemony of the Jin State. Jin Temple is not only a royal sacrificial garden with a high-quality architecture, but also a "living museum of ancient Chinese architecture." Its Zhou cypress trees are approximately 3,000 years old. The Jin Temple we see today incorporates architectural features from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
Jin Temple has three unique features: Zhou cypress, Song Dynasty colored sculptures, and Nanlao Spring; it has three treasures: Holy Mother Hall, Fish Pond Flying Bridge, and Offering Hall; it has three plaques: Nanlao, Duiyue, and Water Mirror Terrace, which are the ones you cannot miss.
The Water Mirror, mentioned in the Book of Han, served as a stage, facing the Holy Mother Hall. It consists of two parts, dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a double-eaved hip roof and a curved hip roof. This is the small house that Sun Wukong transformed into in Journey to the West.
Each of the four corners stands a two-meter-tall iron figure. Because iron is a metal, it is called the Golden Figure Platform. One of the figures was lost and replaced during the Republic of China period. A small Ming Dynasty glazed pavilion stands in the center.
Backed by the main peak of Xuanweng, the temple is flanked by Shanli Spring on the left and Nanlao Spring on the right. Destroyed by two major earthquakes, the temple was rebuilt in the first year of the Chongning reign of the Song Dynasty (1102 AD), bringing its history to over 900 years. It spans seven bays, separated by eight pillars, each with its own uniquely shaped dragon on its capital. This temple was constructed using the "reduced column method," resulting in a spacious and bright appearance.
The eight Song Dynasty wooden dragons on the eaves in front of the hall are the only surviving examples of ancient architecture from the Tang and Song dynasties; the Yunuma flying beam in front of the hall is also the only surviving example of ancient architecture in China.
There is a statue of a maid with a red hair ornament on her head, which Mr. Mei Lanfang particularly liked.
Tips: 1. Tickets to Jin Temple are 80 yuan and can be purchased online in advance. You can enter by scanning the QR code or ID card. Jin Temple is open on Mondays. If the Shanxi Museum is closed on Mondays, you can consider visiting Jin Temple.
2. Go to Jin Temple and locate Yingxi Gate on the navigation. This gate is the only open entrance to Jin Temple Park.
3. The Jinci Park electric car costs 10 yuan, limited to two rides. The starting and ending points are at Yingxi Gate, meaning it circles Jinci Park and includes entry and exit to the Jinci Museum once. If you don't buy an electric car, navigate to the southeast gate of the Jinci Museum, then walk through Jinci Park directly to the museum ticket gate.
4. Before coming to Jin Temple, you can do your homework at home in advance. I recommend Jia Jun’s lecture "Seeing Jin Temple in a Thousand-Year Garden" from the "Humanities Tsinghua" forum.
It was first built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and rebuilt during the Tiansheng period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1023-1032 AD). It is the only cross-shaped bridge among the existing ancient bridges in my country. Because the bridge deck leads to four directions, it is like the current overpass, so it is known as the ancestor of the overpass.
Located at the south end of the Jin Temple Museum, it was first built in the fifth year of the Wude Period of the Tang Dynasty (622). Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty named it "Shifang Fengsheng Zen Temple". It was originally the villa of the famous Tang Dynasty general Yuchi Jingde. However, this Duke of E, who had made many military achievements, felt that he had killed too many lives in his later years, so he "abandoned his house to build a temple."
The original Fengsheng Temple was a grand structure, with the mountain gate, front hall, middle hall, and rear hall built on the central axis. Bell and drum towers, as well as a Sutra Library, formed a three-courtyard complex, attracting constant worship. The temple, having weathered wars and suffered repeated destruction and reconstruction, now primarily consists of the mountain gate (Jingqing Gate), the Avatamsaka Sutra stone stele corridor, the passing hall (Erlang Temple), the main hall (Fanglin Temple Main Hall), and side halls. The remains of the pine tree where Chi Jingde hung his armor still remain within the temple.
Built during the Kaihuang reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty (581-600), the pagoda was rebuilt in the 16th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1751). The pagoda's summit is adorned with eight glazed dragons. Whenever the sun sets, the sky is bathed in clouds, and at dusk, the ancient pagoda is illuminated with brilliance. "The Pagoda Covered in Clouds" is one of the Eight Scenic Spots Outside the Jin Temple.
The Jinyang Ancient City Archaeological Museum is a relatively new museum, located within the city walls. It's a relatively small museum, so the crowds were relatively few, making the visit a pleasant experience. It felt a bit like the museum was completely booked near closing time. The new display cases and the layout of the exhibition were excellent, especially the relocated and restored Guo Xing Tomb, where the tomb chamber was dissected and displayed.
🍊Zhao Qing Bird Zun
An ancient refrigerator, consisting of a bronze kettle and bronze mirror. Three items unearthed in Jinyang Ancient City, now in the collection of the Shanxi Museum, were loaned to the Jinyang Ancient City Archaeological Museum for its opening. Enjoy them now, as they may be returned later.
🍊Guo Xing’s tomb murals
The relocated and preserved Xiaojingyu Guoxing Tomb has its murals restored to their original state. Compared to the fragmented Northern Qi murals housed in the Shanxi Museum and the Xu Xianxiu Tomb, which is off-limits to the Northern Qi Museum, this is a much more accessible location.
🍊Cultural relics unearthed from the Mengshan Giant Buddha Pavilion ruins
The Great Buddha Pavilion was rebuilt in the late Tang Dynasty. The inscription on the tubular tile with animal face pattern is engraved on the inside with the inscription "The pavilion was built in the Bingchen year of Qianning, and the King of Jin built this tile for his merit". It is one of the standard tiles in Shanxi during the late Tang Dynasty.
Tips: ⏰Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00~17:00.
💰Tickets: Free, reservations can be made at the door.
Transportation: The bus station is about a 10-minute walk outside the ancient city. It is recommended to drive or take a taxi.
For a single-line tour, those who store their bags need to go back to the entrance to pick them up.
The Shanxi Museum is a four-story building. Its exterior resembles a dou (a dou), an ancient unit of measurement for grain. Looking up at the central atrium, the caisson ceiling bears a striking resemblance to the second-story brick brackets of the Wuliang Hall of Yongzuo Temple. The tour progresses from the second, third, and fourth floors. The first floor houses a cultural and creative shop and visitor center. The Shanxi Museum also has a bronze annex, showcasing some of the finest bronze artifacts. If you have time, consider adding about three hours to the Shanxi Bronze Museum after your visit to the museum.
There are a total of 195 cultural relics prohibited from leaving the country, and Shanxi Province has a total of 7 of them, 5 of which are in the Shanxi Museum. They are the mural of a journey on horseback from Lou Rui's tomb, the lacquer screen unearthed from Sima Jinlong's tomb, the dragon-patterned rhinoceros goblet, the Jinhou bird-shaped zun, and the set of jade pendants for the wife of the Jinhou.
Gong refers to a wine vessel, which is in the shape of a dragon with a pair of ears on each side for easy hanging and carrying.
If I were to recommend a cultural relic that represents the Jin Dynasty, it would be the Jin Hou Bird Zun, which is also the prototype of the emblem of the Shanxi Museum and was unearthed from the tomb of the Jin Hou.
The Jinhou Bird Zun, with its lid and base engraved with the inscription "Jin Hou made a precious Zun Yi for the Taishi family," was a ritual vessel for the ancestral temple. After the death of Tang Shuyu, the first prince of the Western Zhou Dynasty, his son Xiefu ascended the throne, relocated the capital, and changed the state's name to Jin. Research suggests that the "Jin Hou" in the inscription on the Jinhou Bird Zun refers to Xiefu, the first Marquis of Jin. Upon Xiefu's death, the Jinhou Bird Zun was buried with him as a precious artifact in the ancestral temple.
In historical texts, we often read about princes forming alliances and swearing blood oaths, but until the discovery of the Houma Covenant, no real-life examples of such oaths had been discovered. According to Guo Moruo's research in the last century, this was a covenant drawn up by Zhao Jinghouzhang during the early Warring States period. He also noted that "apart from the general preface, each person had a separate covenant, the text of the covenant being the same, but the names of the individuals differed. The names of all the oath-takers were not written on a single covenant."
This lamp embodies the wisdom and ingenuity of the ancients. During the Han Dynasty, lamps were mostly fueled by animal fats, which caused significant indoor pollution. The goose-fish copper lamp effectively solved this problem. When the lamp was lit, the exhaust gas passed through the fish's belly and the goose's neck into the goose's belly, where the water was stored. This lamp was not only energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, but also had a beautiful design.
Sima Jinlong's ancestors, descendants of the Eastern Jin imperial family, surrendered to the Northern Wei and married into a Northern Wei princess. The painted lacquer screens unearthed from his tomb extol the merits of the people and honor worthy women of the past, clearly reflecting Central Plains influences. However, the circular honeysuckle pattern on the edge of the wooden frame is a Northern Wei specialty, reflecting the cultural integration of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties.
Tips: ✔️Volunteer public welfare lectures: 9:30 am and 2:30 pm, please gather at the service desk on the first floor in advance.
✔️Paid manual explanation starts from 100 yuan/hour, please contact the service desk on the first floor.
⏰Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-17:00, last admission at 16:00.
💰Tickets: Free. Reservations can be made 3 days in advance (including the day of admission) through the Shanxi Museum official account.
The Shanxi Merchants Museum, which is usually called the Governor's Mansion by Taiyuan people, now has some buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and most of the exhibits are from customs interceptions.
Kunling visited the Listening Rain Tower in the West Garden of the Shanxi Merchants Museum. It has a Jiangnan water village atmosphere and is perfect for photos and tea. Shanxi is a place with a rich historical and cultural heritage. After a high-intensity learning experience, it is a great place to relax, browse the ancient relics and collectibles, and bask in the sun.
The Shanxi Merchants Museum has a large collection of items, which are categorized and displayed in various exhibition rooms. Each exhibition room is not very large due to space limitations.
Tips:
The Shanxi Merchants Museum is quite large, with the Coal Hill Bell Tower at its end and the West Garden and East Garden on either side. A stroll through the museum takes 2-3 hours, and you can even spend half a day relaxing and enjoying tea.
✔️Across from Maoer Lane is Taiyuan's food street, so you can go there for a bite to eat.
💰Tickets: Free, reservations must be made online in advance.
⏰Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:30), closed on Mondays, New Year's Eve, and the first day of the Lunar New Year (open on Mondays that are national holidays)
🚇 Public transportation: Fuxi Street Subway Station, Line 2
The Shanxi Archaeological Museum has two main parts: the Taiyuan Confucian Temple and the Shanxi Archaeological Research Institute. The exhibits are great, and compared to other popular museums, there are fewer people, so the experience is great.
Taiyuan Confucian Temple is a Qing Dynasty building with a basically complete layout. The central axis from south to north is composed of the screen wall, hexagonal pavilion, Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, east and west wings and Chongsheng Temple, with three courtyards in front and back.
When I went there, I happened to catch two major exhibitions: the 13th Five-Year Plan Archaeological Achievements Exhibition and the "Seeing Dragons in the Fields" Exhibition of Dragon Cultural Relics Unearthed in Shanxi. The exhibits in the latter were particularly exquisite and of high quality.
The exhibition of seeing a dragon in the field is divided into three parts: the dragon's transformation, holding the dragon as a symbol of courtesy and the star-shaped mythical beasts.
Recommended Exhibits
🔸Stone column bases unearthed from Sima Jinlong's tomb, Northern Wei Dynasty, now in the collection of the Shanxi Museum. There are four column bases in total, used to hold screens and curtains. Their exquisite decorations are included in the Chinese Sculpture Atlas.
🔸A hollow gold ring with dragon pattern, Western Zhou Dynasty, collected by the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology. The color is golden (high purity), with exquisite decoration.
🔸Four Gods Mural, Qinglong, Song and Jin Dynasties, from the collection of the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology. This is a tomb mural. Shanxi has unearthed numerous and exquisite murals.
🔸A jade plaque, Shang Dynasty, collected by the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology. The dragon of the Shang Dynasty looked more like a worm or a snake, demonstrating the continuous evolution of the dragon's image.
Tips: 1.💰Ticket price is 30, and the third Wednesday of each month is free of charge (you must register with a valid ID to visit)
2.⏰Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00-17:00 (last admission at 16:00), closed on Mondays (except national holidays).
The Shanxi Bronze Museum is a branch of the Shanxi Museum. It is connected to the Taiyuan Museum and you can choose either museum when making a reservation. The Shanxi Bronze Museum is less crowded than the Shanxi Museum, and the exhibits are of a higher quality. With fewer visitors, the visiting experience is better.
A national first-class cultural relic, it was a wedding gift given by Duke Wen of Jin, Chong'er, to his beloved daughter, Meng Ji.
This high-end toy was worn by the nobility of the Western Zhou Dynasty. It has 15 rotating parts and 14 animals in total.
This is the highest-ranking, largest, and richest tomb of a Jin noble from the Spring and Autumn Period ever discovered. The chariot and horse pit contains 17 chariots and ceremonial chariots, along with 44 horses. Zhao Qing, also known as Zhao Jianzi, was the grandson of Zhao Wu, the "Orphan of Zhao." This large tomb from the late Spring and Autumn Period has yielded 3,421 artifacts, including national treasures such as a bird-shaped urn and a tiger-shaped bronze stove.
There are more than 600 terracotta warriors, arranged in a large array, with various shapes, round faces and unique features.
Time can speak only of the past, but the weathered, polished appearance of cultural relics bears the mark of their past. When you gaze upon rows of cultural relics in a museum, you sense they are not silent; those historical figures seem to be speaking to you, telling you of their unparalleled glory.
