No visit to Taiyuan is complete without seeing the Jin Temple – Exploring China's earliest imperial sacrificial garden

📍 **Classic Itinerary Recommendations**
**Day 1: Ancient Architecture & Culture Tour**
✅ **Shanxi Museum**: Free! Must-see treasure: the "Bird Zun" vessel. Book 3 days in advance.
✅ **Jin Merchant Museum**: Free! Experience the glory of Shanxi merchants. Join free guided tours.
✅ **Chunyang Palace**: ¥30 ticket. Tang Dynasty stone carvings are national treasures.
✅ **Liuxiang Night Market**: Head straight to Taiyuan's hottest snack street at night. Must-tries: Hao Ganggang's lamb offal soup & Liuweizhai's electric grilled skewers!

**Day 2: Nature + History Combo**
✅ **Jin Temple**: ¥80 ticket. China's earliest imperial garden. See the "Flying Bridge Over Fish Pond" – a Song Dynasty interchange.
✅ **Tianlongshan Grottoes**: ¥30 ticket. Stunning Buddha statues + viral mountain-hugging road.
✅ **Taiyuan Ancient County Town**: Free entry. Great filming location for movie "Full River Red"!

**Day 3: Leisure + Hidden Gems**
✅ **Mengshan Giant Buddha**: ¥35 ticket. One of the world's largest stone-carved Buddhas.
✅ **Zhonglou Street**: Taiyuan's "Wangfujing". Must-try: Laoshuku's glutinous rice balls.
✅ **Fen River Scenic Area**: Free! Super healing sunset strolls.

🍜 **Must-Eat Taiyuan Food List**
- **Hao Ganggang Lamb Offal Soup**: Lamb broth + crispy pancakes – locals' breakfast staple.
- **Yangji Guanchang**: ¥10/bowl. The marinade is everything.
- **Yijing Dipping Skewers**: ¥1 for 6 skewers. Authentic way: stand & dip!
- **Xueshan Cold Drink Hall**: Sea buckthorn ice cream – uniquely sweet & sour.

🚌 **Transport Tips**
- New **Tourist Bus Line 1**: ¥8 day pass with unlimited rides. Direct to Shanxi Museum, Mengshan Giant Buddha, etc.
- Metro Line 2 connects Liuxiang & Zhonglou Street – super convenient for food hopping.

📸 **Photo Spots**
- **Jin Temple's Holy Mother Hall**: Song Dynasty painted sculptures + coiled dragon columns – perfect for vintage shots.
- **Tianlongshan Viral Road**: Epic drone views.
- **Zhonglou Street Nightscape**: Ming-Qing architecture + modern lighting = maximum vibes.

⚠️ **Notes**
1️⃣ Jin Temple & museums closed Mondays.
2️⃣ Best season: Sept-Oct with crisp autumn air.
3️⃣ Taiyuan cuisine leans salty/sour with heavy carbs – pack digestive aids!

"3,000 years of history? See Xi'an. 5,000 years? See Shanxi!" This underrated ancient capital awaits to unveil its millennia-old charm.