Taiyuan is the capital of Shanxi Province. Ideally situated in the Taiyuan Basin in the central part of the province, it is bordered by the Taihang Mountains in the east and the Lüliang Mountains in the west. The Fenhe River flows through the city.
Taiyuan has grown into a booming industrial city in the past few decades. Its network of railway lines provides a link to all parts of the country, and its coal and steel industries occupy an important position in China’s industries system.

With its mountains and its river, Taiyuan was an important military town for which war strategists of various dynasties contested. For more than a thousand years, many battles were fought here.

Highlights:
Liuxiang Lane, which contains ancient Chinese houses of important heritage, and the Chongshan Monastery, the Jinci Temple, the twin Pagoda Temple and the Shuanglin Monastery Longtan Park.

Generally, the best time to visit Taiyuan is during the period from May to October.

Distances from Beijing and Shanghai

Beijing to Pingyao  about 666KM
Shanghai to Pingyao  about 1600KM

Plane:
Beijing to Taiyuan  HU7372 (20:25-21:30)
Taiyuan to Beijing  HU7372 (18:15-19:15) or MU5297 (19:00-20:00)
Shanghai Hongqiao to Taiyuan  FM9161 (18:45-20:45)
Taiyuan to Shanghai Hongqiao  HO1134(19:55-21:45) or FM9162 (21:35-23:15)

Train:
Beijing Xi to Pingyao 1163 (19:03-07:31)    12 hours and 28 minutes
Pingyao to Beijing Xi  K604(19:25-06:39)  11 hours and 14 minutes

There is no direct train between Shanghai and Pingyao.

Pingyao  —Wang’s Great Courtyard   75 KM    city roads   1.5  hours
Pingyao —Taiyuan    130KM   highway   1.5 hours

Chongshan Si
This Buddhist monastery was built towards the end of the 14th century on the site of a monastery that is said to date back to the 6th or 7th century. The main hall contains three impressive statues; the central figure is Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy with 1000 hands and eyes.

Shuangta Si - Twin Pagoda Temple
This temple has two Ming Dynasty pagodas, each a 13 storey octagonal structure almost 55 m high. It is possible to climb one of the pagodas, but it is only recommended for those who enjoy dark,slippery spiral stairs. The Pagodas are built entirely with brackets and cornices to imitate Chinese wooden pagodas.

Shanxi Provincial Museum
This museum is located in two separate sections.  The main museum is housed in the Chunyang Palace, which used to be a temple for offerring sacrifices to the Taoist Priest. The second section is housed in attractive Ming period buildings and was once a Confucian temple.

Spring here often comes with strong sunlight and heavy wind. Since Taiyuan is the City of Coal, there is always black coal dust carried on the wind. If you come to Taiyuan in spring or summer, sunglasses, sun block and a sunhat are necessities. Those who wear contact lens should be more careful about the wind.

People
Most of the people are Han Chinese; other ethnic groups include Hui (Chinese Muslims), Mongols, and Manchus.

Food
"Shanxi has been known as ‘the home of wheaten food’. A simple piece of dough in Taiyuan can be made into 100 different kinds of food. Apart from wheaten food, Taiyuan’s famous local produce included mature vinegar, soya-sauced pork leg of Liuweizhai, Fenjiu liquor and Zhuyeqing (Green Bamboo Leaves) wine."

Souvenirs
Qingxu Grapes
Qingxu County has a history of 1,000 years for growing grapes. These delicious grapes have a high content of sugar and thus are very sweet to the palate. Over 50 species of grapes are grown here. The most famous being White Bottle, Black Chick Heart and Purple Longan.

Old Vinegar
Vinegar from Shanxi Province is well known in China. The best vinegar comes from Qingxu County. The brand Shanxi Old Vinegar was first created by Wang Laifu who lived under the reign of Qing Emperor Shunzhi. Old Vinegar is famous for its fragrance, taste and has no sediment. The longer it is kept the more fragrant it becomes. You don't have to worry about it going mouldy in summer or freezing in winter.

Fen Liquor
Fen Liquor from Xinghua Village in Fenyang County is famous for its color, taste and fragrance. It is one of the eight famous liquors in the country. This wine can be traced back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties (550 A.D.). It is the original Chinese white wine made from sorghum. Alcohol content by volume: 63-65%.

Duanmu Ink slab
Duanmu ink slab is made from Duanmu (or Wenshan) Mountain which is located on the southern bank of Hutuo River. They are of three colors: purple, black and green. The purple color stone is ruputed to be the best.t.

Pingyao Braised Beef
Beef braised with five-aromatic seasoning from Pingyao has a long history and following. The beef is tender, fragrant and tasty.