Attractions · Taiyuan

One of the earliest surviving royal sacrificial gardens in China; the Holy Mother Hall, the Song dynasty painted sculptures, the Fish Pond Flying Bridge and the Zhou cypress and Tang locust trees are national-treasure sights. Visiting tip: hire a guide to make sense of the Song dynasty painted sculptures and architecture; if visiting Tianlongshan the same day, do Jinci first. Practical info: the site is at Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan, Shanxi; ticket ¥80 (peak season; subject to official notice); opening hours 08:00–18:00. Best season: April–June and September–October; winters are dry and cold, and paths at Jinci and Tianlongshan can be slippery. It can be combined with the Tianlongshan Grottoes, the Shanxi Museum and the Twin Pagodas Temple in Taiyuan for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Before setting out, check the day's opening and reservation policy and allow plenty of time. In peak season or on holidays, book ahead and travel off-peak, and allow time for queues and security checks. Plan your stay around the opening hours and your energy. If you are carrying luggage or travelling with children, allow more time for security checks and walking. Check the day's opening and reservation policy before departure so that a temporary closure does not disrupt your plans.

Tip: Hire a guide to make sense of the Song dynasty painted sculptures and architecture; if visiting Tianlongshan t…

• Address: Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan, Shanxi
• Ticket: ¥80 (peak season; subject to official notice)
• Opening: 08:00–18:00

A group of grottoes from the Eastern Wei to the Tang dynasty, with graceful figures and flowing drapery; Buddha heads returned in recent years have brought Tianlongshan renewed attention. Main highlights include Tang dynasty sculptures, the Eastern Wei grottoes, the returned Buddha heads and the mountain landscape. Visiting tip: the caves are scattered and there are many mountain paths, so wear trainers; hire a car if visiting the same day as Jinci. Practical info: the site is at Tianlong Mountain, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan, Shanxi; ticket ¥50 (subject to official notice); opening hours 08:30–17:00. Best season: April–June and September–October; winters are dry and cold, and paths at Jinci and Tianlongshan can be slippery. It can be combined with Jinci, the Shanxi Museum and the Twin Pagodas Temple in Taiyuan for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Before setting out, check the day's opening and reservation policy and allow plenty of time. In peak season or on holidays, book ahead and travel off-peak, and allow time for queues and security checks. Plan your stay around the opening hours and your energy. If you are carrying luggage or travelling with children, allow more time for security checks and walking.

Tip: The caves are scattered and there are many mountain paths, so wear trainers; hire a car if visiting the same d…

• Address: Tianlong Mountain, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan, Shanxi
• Ticket: ¥50 (subject to official notice)
• Opening: 08:30–17:00

Shanxi's largest comprehensive museum; the Jin Marquis bird zun, the Houma Covenant Texts, the Northern Wei lacquer screen from Sima Jinlong's tomb and Buddhist sculptures are all heavyweight collections. Visiting tip: enter after booking and start with the permanent “Soul of Jin” exhibition; closed on Mondays; allow at least 3 hours. Practical info: the site is at 13 Binhe West Road North Section, Wanbailin District, Taiyuan, Shanxi; ticket free (reservation required); opening hours 09:00–17:00. Best season: April–June and September–October; winters are dry and cold, and paths at Jinci and Tianlongshan can be slippery. It can be combined with Jinci, the Tianlongshan Grottoes and the Twin Pagodas Temple in Taiyuan for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Before setting out, check the day's opening and reservation policy and allow plenty of time. In peak season or on holidays, book ahead and travel off-peak, and allow time for queues and security checks. Plan your stay around the opening hours and your energy. If you are carrying luggage or travelling with children, allow more time for security checks and walking. Check the day's opening and reservation policy before departure so that a temporary closure does not disrupt your plans.

Tip: Enter after booking and start with the permanent “Soul of Jin” exhibition; closed on Mondays; allow at least 3…

• Address: 13 Binhe West Road North Section, Wanbailin District, Taiyuan, Shanxi
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 09:00–17:00

The twin pagodas of the Ming dynasty Yongzuo Temple are Taiyuan's city symbol; the brick pagodas can be climbed, and the temple's peonies and stele corridor are also worth seeing. Visiting tip: the pagoda stairs are narrow, so those afraid of heights should be cautious; the peonies bloom in April–May. Practical info: the site is at Haozhuang Town, Yingze District, Taiyuan, Shanxi; ticket ¥30 (subject to official notice); opening hours 08:30–17:30. Best season: April–June and September–October; winters are dry and cold, and paths at Jinci and Tianlongshan can be slippery. It can be combined with Jinci, the Tianlongshan Grottoes and the Shanxi Museum in Taiyuan for a half-day or full-day itinerary. Before setting out, check the day's opening and reservation policy and allow plenty of time. In peak season or on holidays, book ahead and travel off-peak, and allow time for queues and security checks. Plan your stay around the opening hours and your energy. If you are carrying luggage or travelling with children, allow more time for security checks and walking. Check the day's opening and reservation policy before departure so that a temporary closure does not disrupt your plans.

Tip: The pagoda stairs are narrow, so those afraid of heights should be cautious; the peonies bloom in April–May.

• Address: Haozhuang Town, Yingze District, Taiyuan, Shanxi
• Ticket: ¥30 (subject to official notice)
• Opening: 08:30–17:30