[2025 Taiyuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Nanlao Spring (Updated Jun)

Perfect solo trip guide to Taiyuan for relaxation | Dragon City travel guide: from Jinyang Ancient City to the carbohydrate paradise** --- ### **📍 Taiyuan at a Glance** - **Nicknames**: Dragon City (home to 19 emperors), Capital of Noodles - **City Character**: A low-key millennia-old capital, a transit hub for Shanxi tourism - **Must-Experience**: Ground relic tour + dazzling knife-cut noodles --- ### **🏛️ Must-Visit Attractions List** **【History Section】** 1. **Jinci Temple (4A)** - **Three Wonders**: Song Dynasty painted clay maidens / Thousand-year-old Zhou cypress / Eternal Spring - **Hidden Experience**: Jinci after snow = perfect ancient-style photo spot❄️ 2. **Shanxi Museum** - **Treasures**: Bird-shaped zun (Western Zhou bronze), Northern Wei Sima Jinlong lacquer screen - **Tips**: Free admission! Guided tours at 10:00 and 14:30 daily 3. **Shuangta Temple (Yongzuo Temple)** - **Landmark Check-in**: Ming Dynasty beamless brick pagoda, stunning peony bloom season (April-May) **【Local Flavor Section】** 4. **Food Street** - **Night Tour Essential**: Hao Ganggang’s lamb offal stew + God’s fried chicken + Wantuo 5. **Old Military Camp Snack Street** - **Local Dining Hall**: Huang’s big noodle sheets / Cumin valley lamb skewers --- ### **🍜 Carbohydrate Bomb Alert** - **Noodle Universe**: 🍜 Knife-cut noodles (Recommended: Old Taiyuan Da Lu noodles) 🥟 Tounao (medicinal breakfast invented by Fu Shan, paired with yellow wine) 🌶️ Dipped slices (vegetables wrapped in batter, dipped in tomato sauce) - **Three Snack Essentials**: ① Mouse Cave Yuanxiao (intangible cultural heritage) ② Wang Ping’s noodle sheets (spicy mix is amazing) ③ Liuweizhai braised meat --- ### **🚗 Nearby Extended Activities** - **Within 1 hour**: ⛰️ Tianlongshan Grottoes (trendy road + return to Buddha’s head) 🏯 Mengshan Giant Buddha (162 years older than Leshan Giant Buddha) - **Within 2 hours**: 🏮 Pingyao Ancient City / Wutai Mountain / Ying County Wooden Pagoda --- ### **📅 Itinerary Suggestions** - **One-day Highlights**: Morning: Jinci Temple → Shanxi Museum Afternoon: Shuangta Temple → Dinner at Food Street - **Two-day Deep Dive**: Day 2: Tianlongshan / Mengshan Giant Buddha → Snack crawl at Old Military Camp --- ### **💡 Practical Tips** - 🚇 Transport: Metro Line 2 reaches most attractions directly - 🏨 Accommodation: Recommended to stay in Yingze District (Liuxiang shopping area) - 🎫 Tickets: Free for seniors over 60 at most sites - 🧥 Season: Best in spring and autumn; prepare down jackets for winter --- **✨ The right way to experience Taiyuan** Touch the 3,000-year Jin spirit in front of bronze artifacts Eat your tenth bowl of noodles in the aroma of aged vinegar Before leaving, don’t forget to say: “Taiyuan, the food is really great!” --- **Need to add Jin merchant culture routes / Taiyuan Fantawild guide / off-the-beaten-path photo spots? Just let me know anytime~**

Jinci Temple is China's oldest surviving classical ancestral temple garden complex. It currently houses 98 buildings over 300 years old, 110 statues, 300 stone tablets, and 37 cast art pieces. It exemplifies the perfect combination of solemn, magnificent ancestral worship architecture with natural landscape beauty. Jinci Temple covers 10 hectares and features nearly 100 ancient structures including ancestral halls, palaces, temples, and Taoist shrines from the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. With its halls, pavilions, towers, galleries, bridges, and terraces, it truly deserves to be called a museum of ancient architecture. The central axis layout is particularly distinctive. Passing through the memorial archway, three bridges and the main gate, visitors proceed via the Water Mirror Terrace, Huixian Bridge, Golden Man Terrace, Duiyue Archway, Bell and Drum Tower, Offering Hall, and Flying Bridge over Fish Pond to reach the Sacred Mother Hall, with all main buildings arranged along a single axis. The three architectural wonders of Jinci: Sacred Mother Hall, wooden dragon carvings, and the Flying Bridge over Fish Pond. The three treasures of Jinci: Zhou Dynasty cypress, Tang Dynasty sophora tree, and the Nanlaoquan Spring. Admission to Jinci Temple is 80 yuan per person, with guided tours available for 190 yuan. Walking is recommended.

Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province, boasts a rich history spanning over 2,500 years. Situated along the Fen River, this city is a significant cultural and economic hub in northern China. Taiyuan offers a blend of historical landmarks, cultural experiences, and natural beauty, making it an intriguing destination for travelers. Getting There Taiyuan is easily accessible by air through Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, which connects to major Chinese cities. The city is also well-linked by high-speed trains to cities like Beijing and Xi'an. Once in Taiyuan, visitors can use taxis or buses to explore the city. 📍Address: Taiyuan is located in the heart of Shanxi Province, with its main attractions spread across the city and surrounding areas. Key sites include the Jinci Temple and the Shanxi Museum. 🏖️BAmbiance/Facilities: - Jinci Temple: A historic temple complex featuring ancient halls, pavilions, and pagodas, known for its blend of Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist influences. It includes the famous "three wonders" of the temple: a 3,000-year-old cypress tree, the Nanlao Spring, and painted clay figures of maidens in the Holy Mother Hall. - Shanxi Museum: Offers a comprehensive look at Shanxi's history and culture through its extensive collection of artifacts, including exhibits on Buddhism and local opera. - Twin Pagoda Temple (Shuangta Si): Known for its architectural interest and religious significance. - Mount Wutai: A sacred Buddhist site located nearby, famous for its stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage. 💰Average Price per Person: - Meals: ¥20–¥50 (~$3–$7 USD) per meal at local restaurants. - Accommodation: ¥200–¥500 (~$30–$75 USD) per night for mid-range hotels. - Attractions: ¥20–¥50 (~$3–$7 USD) for most temples and museums. 💞Reasons to Recommend: 1. Cultural Heritage: Explore ancient temples like Jinci and learn about Shanxi's history at the Shanxi Museum. 2. Natural Beauty: Visit Mount Wutai for its stunning landscapes and Buddhist sites. 3. Historical Significance: Discover Taiyuan's role as a strategic military and economic center in northern China. Tips - Visit during spring or autumn for pleasant weather. - Use local transportation like buses or taxis to explore the city efficiently. - Respect local customs when visiting temples. Conclusion Taiyuan is a captivating city that combines historical significance, cultural richness, and natural beauty. Whether you're exploring ancient temples, visiting museums, or enjoying the scenic views of Mount Wutai, Taiyuan promises an enriching experience for all visitors. #discoverchina #trip #travel #china

⛰【Attraction Guide】 📍Detailed Address: Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province 🚗Transportation Guide: ✔️Take a plane to Taiyuan Wusu Airport, and you can reach Jinci Temple directly by expressway in 30 minutes. ✔️Take a train to Taiyuan Railway Station, and you can reach Jinci Temple directly by bus No. 804, 856, or 308. ✔️Take a high-speed rail to Taiyuan South Railway Station, and you can reach Jinci Temple directly by taxi in 30 minutes. 🕙Opening Hours: ✔️April to October: 8:00-18:00 ✔️November to March: 8:30-17:00 💰Ticket Price: ✔️Adult: RMB 80 (reservation required) ✔️Seniors over 60 years old: Free admission, with ID card 🌟Highlights: ✔️Three Treasures of Jinci Temple: Song Dynasty Statues, Zhou Cypress, and Nanlao Spring ✔️Three Treasures of Jinci Temple: Holy Mother Hall, Fish Marsh Flying Bridge, and Offering Hall ✔️Three Plaques of Jinci Temple: Water Mirror Terrace, Facing Vietnam, and Nanlao ✔️Three Springs of Jinci Temple: Nanlao Spring, Fish Marsh Spring, and Shanli Spring 📌Tips: ✔️Most visitors in Jinci Temple gather around the Fish Marsh Flying Bridge and Nanlao Spring. There are many ancient trees and attractions in Jinci Temple. It is a great feeling to sit under the shade of a big tree and feel the historical atmosphere of a thousand years away from the crowds. ✔️Outside Jinci Temple, a new Jinci Park has been built. The entrance to Jinci Temple is now located outside the park, and you need to walk a short distance from the park entrance to Jinci Temple. It is worth mentioning that the park is well-built and not shoddy. If you have time, you can take a slow walk and have a look. In particular, the Dongyuan Garden, a garden within a garden, is commendable for its pavilions, towers, and buildings. ✔️Jinci Temple is currently merged with Tianlongshan Grottoes into one scenic area, with shuttle buses running between them, so you can visit them together.

Jin Temple, located in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, is the earliest existing royal garden in China. It not only has a unique architectural style, but also has rich cultural connotations. The architectural style is mainly based on the architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are many famous historical sites and cultural relics. The Nanlao Spring, the Maid Statue and Zhou Bai are known as the "Three Wonders of Jin Temple"! In 1961, Jin Temple was announced by the State Council as the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units! In 2001, it was rated as a national AAA-level scenic spot! In 2009, Jin Temple Museum was approved as a national second-level museum by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage!

It snowed the night I arrived in Taiyuan. The next day, the city of Taiyuan was covered in snow. Although it wasn’t big, it was still a small blessing for me as a southerner. Jin Temple Park is located at the foot of Xuantong Mountain in Jinyuan District, southwest of Taiyuan City. It is the ancient Jin King Temple, which was first built in the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was built by later generations to commemorate King Wu of Zhou’s second son Ji Yu (later posthumously named King of Jin) and his mother Queen Yi Jiang (Jiang Ziya’s goddaughter, and it is Queen Jiang who is enshrined in the Holy Mother Hall now). Among them, the Nanlao Spring, the Maid Statue and Zhou Cypress are known as the "Three Wonders of Jin Temple". 🌈Highlights: Tang stele: Li Shimin's handwritten authentic imperial stele; Our Lady Hall: the original hall built in the Northern Song Dynasty (wooden carvings of coiled dragons and maids are also highlights); Jinren Terrace: Built in the Northern Song Dynasty, the Jinren Terrace in the northeast corner was destroyed and rebuilt in the Republic of China. The Jinren Terrace in the lower right corner appeared in the 18th episode of the 1983 version of Journey to the West, "Sweeping the Pagoda to Explain the Strange Injustice", which is the one with Benboerbababoerben; Uonuma Flying Bridge: The original bridge built in the Northern Song Dynasty, the oldest cross-shaped overpass; (But now it is covered, after all, it is a cultural relic. There is a one-to-one restoration in Jinci Park) Offering Hall: It is an old building from the Dading Period of the Jin Dynasty, used to offer sacrifices to the Virgin Mary and Child. In later dynasties (Yuan, Ming and Qing), new buildings were built or rebuilt, such as the Miaoyi Hall in the Yuan Dynasty, the Duiyuefang in the Ming Dynasty, and the Taiyi Temple in the Qing Dynasty. 🚗Address and Transportation: Taiyuan currently has only one subway line, so there is no other choice for buses: Jinci Park Station. Taiyuan South High-speed Railway Station East Square: Bus No. 79 Taiyuan Station: Bus No. 308/804 🎫Ticket Information: 80 yuan/person Peak season (April-October): 08:00-18:00 Off-season (November-March): 08:30-17:00 ✨Tips: The full name of Jin Temple is now Jin Temple Museum. It is located in Jin Temple Park. Jin Temple Park is free and has many newly renovated ancient buildings. It is also quite good. It avoids crowds and is suitable for checking in and taking photos.

Taiyuan Jinci, the earliest royal garden in China, the cultural landmark of Taiyuan, and the unpopular scenic spot where ancient architecture is brilliant to the extreme. Before traveling to Taiyuan Jinci, you need to know these situations: 1, Taiyuan Jinci has three unique features: the Zhou Cypress in front of the Holy Mother Hall, the Tang Locust in the scenic area, and the difficult old spring. 2, Jinci Scenic Area includes Jinci Park and the Jinci we know. Jinci Park is free. Jinci Museum charges a fee. The main tour is Jinci Museum. 3, The best tourist season for Jinci is from May to October and when it snows in winter. Or sunny days in winter and spring, avoid smoggy and rainy days 4, Be sure to hire a tour guide to popularize the history of Jinci and explain the details. 5, Transportation: After getting off at Taiyuan South Station, take bus No. 79 directly to Jinci 6, Mei Lanfang learned the feeling of the maid statue in Jinci, so the sculptures in the Holy Mother Hall must be carefully observed, as well as the drum and music maid sculptures in the Prince's Temple next to it 7, Note: Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin's favorite Yuzhuo Feiliang, remember to learn more. These are the only ones in the country. Don't feed the fish to pollute the water environment

Jinci, located in Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, originally named Jinwangci, initially named Tang Shuyu Temple, was built to commemorate the founding lord of the Jin State, Tang Shuyu (later posthumously titled as King Jin) and his mother, Queen Jianghou. The Nannao Spring, the maid statue, and the Zhou Cypress are hailed as the 'Three Uniques of Jinci'. Jinci is the earliest existing royal sacrificial garden in China, the ancestral temple of the Jin State; it is an intensive carrier of ancient Chinese architectural art, a unique case in China with complete types and chronological sequence of buildings from the Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing to the Republic of China, and its affiliated colored sculptures, murals, steles and tablets are all national treasures; it is a comprehensive carrier of the historical context of Sanjin, and the empirical evidence of the cultural system of Jin culture tracing back to the establishment of Jin in the Western Zhou Dynasty to the creation of cultural heritage in the Tang Dynasty; it is the birthplace of the world's Wang and Zhang families.

The difficult old spring in Taiyuan Jinci is commonly known as the "South China Sea Eye". It is from the broken rock formation and floods all the year round. In the Northern Qi Dynasty, according to the "Yongxi Difficulty" sentence in the "Book of Songs", it was named "Difficult Old Spring". There is a pavilion on the spring. The pavilion hangs the words "Difficult Springs" written by Fushan, a scholar of the Qing Dynasty. When Li Bai came here, he once said: "Jinyi water is like jasper." The source of Jinshui flows out from here and continues for many years. Jinyi only has more than 100 temples, pavilions, pavilions, and bridges. The oldest Zhoubai has a tree age of 3,000 years. The construction and layout of its hundreds of ancient buildings exemplifies the traditional culture of the Chinese ancestral temple sacrifices. It is really shocking. The companion sat in the sun under the square, simply took out the book and the brush, painted the Temple of the Virgin and the old tree, and the painting was completed in a short time, attracting many tourists to come onlookers. Travel, in addition to taking pictures and understanding history, painting is also a good way to record. Walk for a few hours in Jinci, although the time is not long, there is a feeling of walking through the millennium. I have heard such a sentence before coming to Shanxi: Chinese history, looking at Shenzhen for ten years, Shanghai for a hundred years, Beijing for a thousand years, Shaanxi for three thousand years, and Shanxi for five thousand years. At that time, some did not believe it, but the trip to Jinci made me have a new understanding and sentiment!