Chinese Name: 太原 (tài yuán)
Population: 5,300,000
Area: 6,909 square kilometers (2668 square miles)
Location: in the central area of Shanxi Province, north China
Administrative Division: 6 districts (Xiaodian, Yingze, Xinghualing, Jiancaoping, Wanbailin, Jinyuan); 3 counties (Qingxu, Yangqu, Loufan); 1 county-level city (Gujiao)
Area Code: 0351
Zip Code: 030000
GDP (2019): CNY 402.851 billion (USD 58.393 billion)  

One of China’s Main Industrial Cities with Many Historical Sites

Bounded on three sides by mountains, Taiyuan is the capital of Shanxi Province and one of the most important energy and industrial bases in China. Comparing Taiyuan with any ancient capital in China, it is not inferior. With a history of more than 2,500 years, Taiyuan once was an important political, military, economic, and cultural center in ancient North China.

It boasts abundant tourism resources varying from famous mountains to grottoes, temples, lakes, caves, ancient buildings and relics. Among them, the statues of the maid of the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) in the Jinci Temple show different postures vividly; the grottoes and statues of the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581 - 907) in the Tianlong Mountain and the two pagodas standing at Yongyou Temple have always attracted visitors' attention. In the evening, you can go to Liu Alley which has the largest night market in northern China, to taste local delicacies and buy special products. It is also very convenient to transfer to other hot Shanxi tourism spots from Taiyuan such as Mount Wutai, Yungang Grottoes, Mt. Taihang, Ancient City of Pingyao and Hukou Waterfalls.  

The city has a wealth of attractions and notably among these is the Jinci Temple. This is the city's most attractive temple although the Shuangta Si (Twin-Pagoda Temple) has become a symbol of the city on account of its unique architecture. Another major attraction is the Tianlong Shan Stone Caves where magnificent sculptures dating from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) may be seen.