City Guild:Taiyuan

CONTENT

1. General introduction……………………………

Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of North China's Shanxi province. It is one of the main manufacturing bases of China. Throughout its long history, Taiyuan was the capital or provisional capital of many dynasties in China and holds an important place in the economic boom of China as well as historical significance. Taiyuan prefecture had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants as of 2010.
The city also 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.
Taiyuan benefits from convenient public transport systems as the city is the provincial transportation hub. Accommodation facilities have become more and more advanced over recent years and range from 5-star hotels to a selection of comfortable guest houses.
The gourmand should be aware that Shanxi noodles are highly reputed all over the country, as well as the local vinegar. Other local delicacies are the Tou Nao, the Steamed Dumpling, Sausages and Mutton Soup. To accompany these wholesome foods there are Fen Jiu (Fen Wine) and Zhuye Qing (Zhuye Qing Wine). As well as its cuisine the city is noted for products such as finely crafted lacquer ware.
While the local emphasis is upon heavy industry certain aspects of city life such as cultural development has suffered from some neglect. This could be a problem and needs action to be taken.

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?Location & population
Taiyuan is one of the major industrial cities of China and lies on the Fen River in the north of its fertile upper basin. It is located in central Shanxi and commands the north-south route through the province, as well as important natural lines of communication through the Taihang Mountains to Hebei in the east and (via Fenyang) to northern Shaanxi in the west. The city is located at the center of the province with an East-West span of 144 km and a North-South span of 107 km.

At the 2010 census, Taiyuan prefecture had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6,959 km2 (2,687 sq mi), from whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km2 (560 sq mi).

?Climate
Taiyuan experiences a semi-arid climate, also alled warm temperate continental monsoon climate. Spring is dry, with occasional dust storms, followed by early summer heat waves and heavy wind. The wind is troublesome, because it carries black dust. Summer tends to be warm to hot with most of the year's rainfall concentrated in July and August. If you come to Taiyuan in spring or summer, sunglasses, sun block and a sunhat are necessities. Those who wear contact lenses should be very careful with the wind. Winter is long and cold, but dry and sunny. Because of the aridity, there tends to be considerable diurnal variation in temperature, except during the summer. The weather is much cooler than comparable-latitude cities, such as Shijiazhuang, due to the moderately high altitude.
Summer is hot and rainy with high humidity. The average temperature is about 23C (73F) and the mean rainfall is 250-280 millimeters, mainly concentrated in late July and August. The temperature in autumn (September to November) falls quickly and the average is 8C (46F)-10C (50F). The fair weather in this season makes it the best season for traveling. The Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Art Festival will be held in September, in which numerous performances from different places in the world will be on show. Winter, averaging a temperature of -7C (44.5F), is always cold and dry. Warm clothes should be prepared for traveling in this season.

?Economy & Industry
In 2014, Taiyuan's nominal GDP was 241.29 billion yuan, or 40.215 billion USD, a growth of 8.1 percent from the previous year. Taiyuan's primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were worth 3.9 billion yuan, 105.2 billion yuan, and 132.2 billion yuan respectively in 2007.
Shanxi province produces a quarter of China's coal, and Taiyuan is the location of the China Taiyuan Coal Transaction Center, which began trading in 2012. While the local emphasis is upon heavy industry certain aspects of city development has suffered from some neglect. 

2. TransportationTaiyuan is one of the transportation hubs in North China, with highways linking neighboring provincial capitals, and airlines to most other major Chinese cities and some international cities. The primary airport of the city is Taiyuan Wusu Airport. The newly constructed Shijiazhuang–Taiyuan High-Speed Railway has shortened the travel time between Taiyuan and Beijing to less than three hours on a distance of 600 km (370 mi).

?Railway
Taiyuan is the terminal station of Beijing — Yuanping Line and Shijiazhuang — Taiyuan Line. At the same time, Taiyuan is also the starting station of Taiyuan — Jiaozuo Line. There are lines connecting Taiyuan with tens of large or medium-sized cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Baotou, etc. Each day, more than 20 trains pass or terminate Taiyuan. The Taiyuan Railway station is in the east end of the Yingze Avenue. Passengers can take the city bus line 1, 5, 21 to get to the railway station directly.

?Air
Taiyuan Wusu International Airport is located south of Taiyuan, 18 kilometers away from the downtown. Direct flights to major cities of China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu, Guilin, Nanjing, Shenyang and Xi'an are available. Tourists can take airport shuttle buses at 158 Yingze Street in the downtown. The ticket price is RMB 15. Besides the airport shuttle buses, public buses No.201 and No. 901 also can bring people to the airport from downtown. Taking a taxi to the airport from downtown will cost RMB 80. Click here to search China Domestic Flight Schedule and Airfare.

3. Education & Health care
?International Schools
So far, there is no international school in Taiyuan, but there are a number of Chinese universities here, namely North university of China, Shanxi Medical University,  Shanxi University and so on.
?Hospitals
1. NO.1 HOSPITAL AFFILIATED TO SHANXI COLLEGE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Phone: 0351-6042278

2. SHAANXI NO.3 PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL
Address: 3 Zhigongxin Street
Phone: 0351-4425911

3. NO.2 HOSPITAL OF SHANXI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Address: 382 Wuyi Road
Phone: 0351-3074231

4. SHANXI EYE HOSPITAL
Address: 252 Fudong Street
Phone: 0351-2028215

5. SHAANXI RAILWAY CENTRAL HOSPITAL
Address: 27 Fudong Street
Phone: 0351-3172499

6. TAIYUAN CENTRAL HOSPITAL
Address: 1 East Sandao Alley
Phone: 0351-3040040

7. TAIYUAN NO.2 PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL
Address: Taoyuanyi Alley
Phone: 0351-4221242

8. SHAANXI PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL
Address: 99 East Huangta Street
Phone: 0351-4045761

9. NO.1 HOSPITAL OF SHANXI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
Address: 85 Jiefang South Road
Phone: 0351-4044111

4. Recreation
?Shopping
It is much easier for visitors to shop in Taiyuan than in any other city of Shanxi Province. Department stores in downtown area are mainly on Yingze Dong Dajie, Wuyi Lu, Jiefang Lu, Jianshe Nan Lu and Jian Cao Ping.
If you are interested in the local folk customs then please go to the Liu Xiang Commercial Street, Zhonglou Jie (Bell Tower Street) and the Liunan Night Market Street. These streets are the most popular in the city, especially Liu Xiang and the Qiaotou Jie are the most bustling streets.
A tip: Department stores close about 19:00 - earlier than those in other big cities.
Zhonglou Jie (Bell Tower Street) is a bustling street with a long history. Shops and stores stand next to each other. Big malls, like the Fenjiu Dasha, Dongfang Department Store and the Jinge Clothes Store, etc. are located here.
To the east of Zhonglou Jie is the Qiaotou Jie. Here you will find lots of products related to drama, such as the drama costumes, etc.
Liu Xiang, a very famous and bubbling pedestrian street in the city. With the participation of large department stores, it has become ever more popular in recent years. Huayu Supermarket, Guidu Department Store and Wanjia Dasha are the largest of them. Gongmao Department Store is famous for its wide range of clothing materials. A lot of clothes stores at the junction of Yingze Street and Liu Xiang deal with fashionable clothes, which can be purchased at a negotiated price. Brand name clothing franchises and some fast food chains come together on this street.
Large Shopping Center
Guidu Department Store
Location: F1, No. 19, Liucang Nan Lu
It is located in the Liu Xiang Commercial District, the busiest street in the city. The department store sells brand-name clothes, decorative household goods and gymnastic equipment.
Huayu Shopping Center
Location: No. 181, Kaihua Si Jie
Situated at the junction of Jiefang Lu and Kaihua Si Jie, it is both up-market and comprehensive, focusing on shopping, dining and entertainment.
Wuyi Shangsha (Wuyi Shopping Building)
Location: at the Wuyi Square, 100 meters south of the Railway Station. You can get there by public bus No. 811.
Surrounds: Tiantian Snack Street
This is a venue for high and middle-range goods.
Wuyi Dalou (Wuyi Building)
A famous department store with a long history, Wuyi Dalou was once the pride of the local people. Although the environment is now a little jaded, it enjoys a great reputation.
Here you will find a variety of goods ranging from stationery, clothes and food to household appliances and cosmetics.
Tianlong Dasha (Tianlong Building)
Situated at the junction of Yingze Dajie and Xinjian Lu, Tianlong Dasha is one of China's 100 top large retail stores.
Large Supermarkets
Meet All United Supermarket

Location: No. 40, Jinci Lu Yi Duan
Huayu Storage Supermarket
Location: in Liu Xiang, the most bustling commercial area in the city. It has a number of branches in the city.
Hualian Supermarket
Neighboring Jian Cao Ping, Jiefang Bei Lu, is this very large supermarket. It attracts many customers by its discounted prices; however, it is necessary to have a membership card to enjoy the benefits.
Tangjiu Shopping Center
Located on the Jianshe Nan Lu, it was established by the Sugar & Wine Company and it is possible to buy drinks and wine at more competitive prices than elsewhere. In some of the residential areas the company has branches that open on a 24 hour basis for your convenience.
Tianlong Supermarket
The Tianlong Supermarket is situated on Taoyuan Bei Lu. There is a snack area on the second floor and the food here is very reasonably priced. It is also a place for a rest.

?Nightlife
The nightlife in Taiyuan is becoming more and more colorful, taking off the humdrum in the past. In the past, the entertainment in Taiyuan was a little dull and boring but now it has become more exciting and colorful, with a wide variety of choices like admiring the Jin Opera, and watching the Shanxi songs and dances, acrobatics and performances of Wan Wan Qiang theatrical troupe. Many areas of the city offers diverse recreation facilities for people to choose, as well as KTV, nightclubs, bars, cinemas, etc.

Most Taiyuan people would like to relax in squares or parks after daily work. They will have a walk with their friends or families or do some entertainment activities like singing or dancing in Yingze Park, Nangong Square or Fenhe Scenic Square. Of course, cafés, teahouses and pubs are also popular places for congregating and relaxing. Following are some of these establishments for your consideration.

UBC Coffee 上岛咖啡
Address: No.23, Jiefang Nan Road, Yingze District (迎泽区解放南路23号)
Tel: 0351-4060638

Lavie Coffee 乐唯咖啡
Address: No.18, Cuijia Lane, Yingze District (迎泽区崔家巷18号)
Tel: 0351-4695629

Spr Coffee
Address: The 1st Floor of Huaming Grand Hotel, No.81, Bingzhou Road, YIngze District (迎泽区并州路81号华明大酒店1楼)
Tel: 0351-7046458

Luyao Pavilion 璐瑶轩茶馆
Address: No.43, Pingyang Road, Xiaodian District (小店区平阳路43号)
Tel: 0351-7345918
Hours: 09:00 - 02:00 in the next morning

More information on www.chinahighlights.com/taiyuan/nightlife.htm
and www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanxi/taiyuan/shopping.htm

?Cuisine
Taiyuan has lots of delicious food to be tasted. The following is representative of all that is available.
Shanxi Cuisine (Jin Cai)
Jin is short for Shanxi Province. Jin Cai means the Shanxi Cuisine. When traveling in Taiyuan, Jin Cai should not be missed. The Shanxi Cuisine has a salty flavor accompanied by a little sweet and sour. The methods of cooking include deep-frying, stir-frying, quick-frying, grilling and braising. And the traditional dishes of Jin Cai include Ba Si Shan Yao (Chinese Yam in Hot Toffee), Guo Shao Yang Rou (Braised Mutton), Fu Ru Rou (Braised Pork with Pickled Bean Curd Sauce) and Tang Cu Yu (Sweet and Sour Fish).
Shanxi Noodles are definitely a local specialty and these can be prepared in several ways. Each kind cooked by a special method has a unique name and taste, such as the Fried Oats Noodle, Pulled Noodle, Mao Erduo (Cat's Ear, for it takes the shape of a cat's ear.), Sliced Noodle, and many more. You must taste the noodles yourself to discover how delicious they are.

Snacks

Besides the Jin Cai and Shanxi Noodle, local snacks are plenty. The recommended breakfast includes Tou Nao and Taiyuan Yang Za Sui Tang (A tasty soup prepared from sheep offal).
Taiyuan Tou Nao, the most delicious local snack, literarily means Brain or Head. In fact, it is the mutton soup with yam and lotus root. The dish is full of flavor and is a nutritious food ideal for warding off winter colds.

Taiyuan Food Street
This street is situated in the center of the city. If you would like to taste the snacks from all over the country, come to this street. Antique pavilions, memorial archways on this street replicate the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties and so add greatly to the atmosphere of the area.

More information on :
www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanxi/taiyuan/dining.htm

?Attractions                                         
Taiyuan is not a hot tourist destination, but has a few attractions worth visiting. The attractions are mostly related to historic sites, which were skillfully built as an integral part of the area in which they are located. Jinci Temple is a historical and cultural site that has amassed precious ancient architectural structures , sculptures, frescos, and steles. The Twin Pagoda Temple, which has a verdant peony inside, is a landmark of Taiyuan. If you are interested in visiting the historic sites of Taiyuan, join our Taiyuan Culture tour for a fascinating experience in this cultural city

The city also 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.

Mont Wutai
The beautiful scenery here is a masterpiece of exquisite acts of nature, predominantly visible over the five main peaks: Wanghai Peak in the east, Guayue Peak in the west, Jinxiu Peak in the south, Yedou Peak in the north, and the central Cuiyan Peak.

Chongshan Monastery
Initially built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Chongshan Monastery (Temple for Appreciating Kindliness) was once called White Horse Monastery (Baima Si). It is located in Huangmiao Lane, Wuyi Road, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. In 1383, in memory of his mother, Zhu Gang, third son of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398), first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) had the monastery rebuilt and extended, renaming it Chongshan Monastery.

Jinci Temple
Located 25 kilometers (16 miles) to the southeast of downtown Taiyuan City, Jinci Temple (Jin Ancestral Temple) is a combination of historical cultural relics and beautiful landscapes. The welcoming boughs of a multitude of ancient trees provide an eye-catching entrance. Beyond this, the numerous halls, cabinets, pavilions and bridges are guaranteed to keep any visitor enthralled. Jinci Temple is world-famous because it is an ancient ancestral temple, something which is rare in China.

Twin Pagoda Temple
The Twin Pogoda Temple (Shuang Ta Si), also known by the name 'Yongzuo Temple' (Yong Zuo Si), is located in the southeast of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. There are two 53-meter-tall pagodas standing in it, hence the name 'Twin Pagoda Temple'. History records reveal that the temple and two pagodas were built under the Emperor Wanli's order in 1608 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

More information on  www.chinahighlights.com/taiyuan/attraction
And www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shanxi/taiyuan