Taiyuan Ancient County Town: Essential Route Guide

🏮 **Route Highlights**
- **A Glimpse of Shanxi in One City**: Experience the Ming Dynasty city layout, with its gray bricks and black tiles exuding the charm of Shanxi's ancient culture.
- **Intangible Cultural Heritage**: Engage with living cultural traditions like paper cutting, shadow puppetry, and Jin opera.
- **Culinary Delights**: Savor authentic Shanxi flavors with dishes like bowl jelly, lamb offal soup, and Taigu cakes.

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🗺️ **Recommended Route** (Half-Day Highlights)
**1️⃣ Enter through the North Gate (Fengxuan Gate)**
▸ Climb the city wall for a panoramic view of the symmetrical cross-street layout and visit the filming location of *Full River Red*.

**2️⃣ Stroll South along the Cross Street**
▸ **County Government Office**: Explore Ming Dynasty official buildings and watch a reenactment of ancient court trials.
▸ **Confucian Temple**: Admire the flying eaves and intricate brackets of the Dacheng Hall, a testament to Confucian cultural heritage.

**3️⃣ East Street Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Zone**
▸ Try your hand at paper cutting to create traditional Shanxi window decorations.
▸ DIY Jin opera masks and enjoy a performance of the distinctive Bangzi opera.

**4️⃣ West Street Food Hub**
❗Must-Try:
- **Jinyun Tower**: Pair fried pork with oat noodles (Youmian Kaolaolao).
- **Haoqiang Lamb Offal Soup**: Rich and flavorful soup, best enjoyed with yellow wine.

**5️⃣ South Street Night Tour (Recommended in the Evening)**
▸ As the lights come on, the Kui Xing Tower glows like a celestial palace.
▸ Visit the Shanxi Merchant Bank Museum to learn about ancient financial wisdom.

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**Practical Information**
⏰ Hours: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (The night view is stunning!)
🎫 Tickets: Free entry to the ancient town; some attractions charge separately.
🚗 Transportation: Take Taiyuan Metro Line 2 to [Jinyang Street Station], then transfer to Bus 804.

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🌟 **Hidden Gems**
- Traditional wedding customs performance every Saturday morning at the County Government Office Square.
- Rent Hanfu at the South City Wall Corner Tower for a photoshoot reminiscent of Shanxi merchant mansions.

> "An ancient county town, half the history of Jinyang"—from Ming Dynasty streets to culinary delights, let time slow down here.