Holiday in Taiyuan

About Taiyuan

Taiyuan is the capital of Shanxi Province in northern Central China and has over 2,500 years of history. The city is the gateway to some of China's most significant Buddhist and historical sites, including the sacred mountain Wutai Shan and the Jinci Temple. The Jinci Temple (Jinci Si) is a unique temple complex from the Song Dynasty (11th century) at the foot of Mount Xuanweng, where three natural springs arise. The Hall of the Holy Mother (Shengmu Dian) houses 44 life-sized clay statues of court ladies from the Song period — the oldest and best-preserved polychrome clay sculptures in China. The sacred mountain Wutai Shan, about 4 hours north of Taiyuan, is one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With over 50 preserved temples, including some of the oldest wooden buildings in China (Foguang Temple, 857 AD), Wutai Shan is a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from all over East Asia. The Twin Pagodas (Shuangta Si) from the Ming Dynasty are the landmark of Taiyuan: two 55-meter tall octagonal brick pagodas from 1612 tower over the city. The Chongshan Monastery complex houses valuable Buddhist sutras and an impressive library. Shanxi is famous for its vinegar culture — Shanxi rice vinegar has been produced for over 3,000 years and is an essential part of the local cuisine. The province's noodle dishes, especially Dao Xiao Mian (shaved noodles), are among the best in China.