Taiyuan Super Detailed Guide | A Must-Read for First-Time Visitors to Taiyuan

Last month, I took my child on a trip to Taiyuan, using my last day of annual leave and a weekend. I've compiled a travel guide to Taiyuan, covering all the must-see spots.

📍3 Days 2 Nights Itinerary:
Day 1: Taiyuan Railway Station → Jinci Museum → Taiyuan Ancient County Town → Hanting Express (Yingze Street Branch)
Day 2: Chunyang Palace → Changjing Tower → Food Street → Shanxi Merchants Museum → Shanxi Museum → Old Taiyuan Restaurant (Dinner)
Day 3: Yingze Park → Taiyuan Noodle Restaurant (Lunch) → Northern Qi Mural Museum → Twin Pagoda Temple → Taiyuan South Railway Station

✅Day 1:
Departing from Beijing, arriving at Taiyuan Railway Station at 2 pm.
① Take a taxi directly to the Jinci Museum. Don't miss the three treasures and three wonders of Jinci, as well as the filming location for the 1986 version of Journey to the West. Suggested visiting time: 2 hours.
② Take a taxi to Taiyuan Ancient County Town. The ancient county town is similar to other ancient cities in Shanxi, featuring ancient architecture and dining options. If you don't want to visit the ancient county town, you can go to the Taiyuan Botanical Garden, which is near the Jinci Museum. The route is very convenient.

✅Day 2:
With a child, there's no need to rush. Wake up naturally and have breakfast.
① Chunyang Palace: Free guided tours are available at 10 am and 3 pm. The explanations are very detailed, covering every brick, tile, and inscription. The experience is excellent. Visiting time: approximately 1.5 hours.
② Changjing Tower: The place where the results of the imperial examinations were announced in ancient times. It's not a large place. Visiting time: approximately 15 minutes.
③ Food Street: A street filled with snacks.
④ Shanxi Merchants Museum: Located at the former site of the Shanxi Governor's Mansion. It's very large, with a vast collection of indoor exhibits, including a gilded copper abacus, Shanxi merchants' account books, bank drafts, and more. Visiting time: 2-3 hours.
⑤ Shanxi Museum: There are four floors in total. Must-see exhibits include the Jin Merchants' Hegemony, Traces of Xia and Shang, and Cradle of Civilization on the 2nd floor, and the Buddhist Relics on the 3rd floor. The 2nd floor has the most treasures. Visiting time: approximately 3 hours.

✅Day 3:
The last day's itinerary is very relaxed.
① Yingze Park: The largest park in Taiyuan City, a paradise for children.
② Northern Qi Mural Museum: A glimpse into a thousand years of history, the splendor of the ancient capital. There are three exhibition halls. Visiting time: approximately 1 hour. Free guided tours are available.
③ Twin Pagoda Temple: A landmark building in Taiyuan and a must-see attraction. The two pagodas stand facing each other north and south, and one of them can be climbed. There are also Ming Dynasty peonies in the temple.
④ Depart from Taiyuan South Railway Station.

🚗Transportation: Taiyuan currently only has one subway line. Taking a taxi is more convenient and affordable.

👍️Must-See Attractions: Jinci Museum, Chunyang Palace, Shanxi Museum, Shanxi Merchants Museum, Twin Pagoda Temple.

🎟️Tickets: Jinci Museum: 80/person; Chunyang Palace: 30/person; Shanxi Museum: Free; Shanxi Merchants Museum: Half price, 19/person; Twin Pagoda Temple: 20/person; Yingze Park: Free; Northern Qi Mural Museum: 20/person (currently seems to be free).

🏨Accommodation: Near Yingze Street is convenient for getting around.

🍲Food: Recommended: Old Taiyuan Restaurant, Taiyuan Noodle Restaurant