Twin Pagoda Temple is most beautiful in summar when Chinese peonies are in bloom. The temple was built between 1573 and 1619 during the reign of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty. Both 13-storeyed otangle pagodas are 54.7 meters' high.
Jinci Temple , dating from the 6th century, is one of the earliest surviving wooden halls in China.
Tianlong Mountain is forty kilometers southwest of Tianyuan City. Tianlongshan Grottoes were carved during the Wei, Qi, Sui, and primarily, Tang dynasties. The stone Buddhist statues are lifelike examples of fine workmanship.
Duofusi Temple lies at the top of Juewei Mountain and houses Ming Dynasty Sculptures and Murals.
Taoist grottoes at the Dragon Mountain are the largest group of carvings that dates from the Yuan Dynasty.
As one of Taiyuan's most tourist visited sights, the Jinci Temple is one of the most original and oldest northeastern China that carries many mysteries.
Chunyanggong Temple at the northwestern corner of the May 1st Square in Taiyuan City, commonly known as Luzu Temple, is a Taoist temple for enshrining and worshipping Lu Dongbing, a Taoist priest of the Tang Dynasty (618 ~ 907).
Doudafu Temple lies 20 kilometers northwest of Taiyuan City. It was a commemorative temple built for Douchou of the Jin Kingdom in Spring and Autumn Period.
Shanxi province is located on the Loess Plateau and is windy and dusty. So you had better not dress in light color. Besides, the air is dry and you should take good care of your skin, and drink more water, or else your lips will be chapped.
The soil in Shanxi province is alkaline, so we strongly recommend you to drink a spoon of local mature vinegar before your three meals a day because the local vinegar could reduce the alkalescence and prevent intestinal disease.
Proper diet is important. Do not eat too much. Eat more vegetables, fruits and drink more water in order to adapt yourself to the plateau-climate. You had better not smoke or drink.
Pingyao beef, Pingyao lacquerwork, Shanxi mature vinegar, Shanxi red date, "Fen jiu" (a kind of famous Chinese hard liquor), mushrooms and tropaeolum of Mount Wutaishan and so on.
The mountain area is scattered with many famous temples which are the highlights of Mt. Wutaishan tour. There are several aspects tourists should pay attention to, such as:
Monk in these temples should be styled "Shifu" or "Fashi" while the abbot styled "Zhanglao," "Fangzhang," or "Shanshi (Chan master)." All the forms of address show the respect for the monks. Monk in lamasery should be addressed as "lama," meaning great master. Do not call them "Heshang" or "Chujiaren" or even other insulting name.
When meeting monks in these temples, you should salute them by putting the palms together and lowering your head slightly or you can put upright one of your hand before chest and lower your head. Never shake their hands, embrace them, touch their heads or other unsuitable action.
When talking with the monks, you should not speak of killing, marriage and eating meat in order to avoid arousing their antipathy. Don't speak loudly, discuss casually, lampoon, touch the Buddhist figures or leave any mark on statues. You may stand and look silently or leave quietly if you come across the Buddhist ceremony. Take care of your kids lest naive children behave impolitely.
No smoking in the temples. Do not leave litter. Taking photographs is not permitted.