No visit to Taiyuan is complete without seeing the Jin Temple – Exploring China's earliest imperial sacrificial garden

📍 **Classic Itinerary Recommendations** **Day 1: Ancient Architecture & Culture Tour** ✅ **Shanxi Museum**: Free! Must-see treasure: the "Bird Zun" vessel. Book 3 days in advance. ✅ **Jin Merchant Museum**: Free! Experience the glory of Shanxi merchants. Join free guided tours. ✅ **Chunyang Palace**: ¥30 ticket. Tang Dynasty stone carvings are national treasures. ✅ **Liuxiang Night Market**: Head straight to Taiyuan's hottest snack street at night. Must-tries: Hao Ganggang's lamb offal soup & Liuweizhai's electric grilled skewers! **Day 2: Nature + History Combo** ✅ **Jin Temple**: ¥80 ticket. China's earliest imperial garden. See the "Flying Bridge Over Fish Pond" – a Song Dynasty interchange. ✅ **Tianlongshan Grottoes**: ¥30 ticket. Stunning Buddha statues + viral mountain-hugging road. ✅ **Taiyuan Ancient County Town**: Free entry. Great filming location for movie "Full River Red"! **Day 3: Leisure + Hidden Gems** ✅ **Mengshan Giant Buddha**: ¥35 ticket. One of the world's largest stone-carved Buddhas. ✅ **Zhonglou Street**: Taiyuan's "Wangfujing". Must-try: Laoshuku's glutinous rice balls. ✅ **Fen River Scenic Area**: Free! Super healing sunset strolls. 🍜 **Must-Eat Taiyuan Food List** - **Hao Ganggang Lamb Offal Soup**: Lamb broth + crispy pancakes – locals' breakfast staple. - **Yangji Guanchang**: ¥10/bowl. The marinade is everything. - **Yijing Dipping Skewers**: ¥1 for 6 skewers. Authentic way: stand & dip! - **Xueshan Cold Drink Hall**: Sea buckthorn ice cream – uniquely sweet & sour. 🚌 **Transport Tips** - New **Tourist Bus Line 1**: ¥8 day pass with unlimited rides. Direct to Shanxi Museum, Mengshan Giant Buddha, etc. - Metro Line 2 connects Liuxiang & Zhonglou Street – super convenient for food hopping. 📸 **Photo Spots** - **Jin Temple's Holy Mother Hall**: Song Dynasty painted sculptures + coiled dragon columns – perfect for vintage shots. - **Tianlongshan Viral Road**: Epic drone views. - **Zhonglou Street Nightscape**: Ming-Qing architecture + modern lighting = maximum vibes. ⚠️ **Notes** 1️⃣ Jin Temple & museums closed Mondays. 2️⃣ Best season: Sept-Oct with crisp autumn air. 3️⃣ Taiyuan cuisine leans salty/sour with heavy carbs – pack digestive aids! "3,000 years of history? See Xi'an. 5,000 years? See Shanxi!" This underrated ancient capital awaits to unveil its millennia-old charm.