Travel Guide to Jinci Temple in Taiyuan: Experience the Culture of Shanxi

　　Jinci Temple is located on the bank of Jin River at the foot of Xuanwen Mountain, 25 kilometers southwest of Taiyuan City. It is a temple built by later generations to commemorate Tang Shuyu, the founding prince of Jin State, and the ancestral temple of Jin State. It is said that "If you don't go to Jinci Temple, you have been to Taiyuan in vain."

　　1. Opening hours

　　Open from 08:30 to 17:30 from 11/1 to 3/31 (winter); open from 08:30 to 18:00 from 4/1 to 10/31 (summer).

　　2. Ticket price

　　80 yuan/person in peak season and 65 yuan/person in off-season.

　　3. Transportation information

　　Fly to Taiyuan Wusu Airport and reach Jin Temple via the highway in 30 minutes; take a bus to Taiyuan Railway Station and transfer to bus lines 308, 804, and 856 to reach Jinci Temple directly; take a train or high-speed rail to Taiyuan South Station and take a taxi via Nanzhonghuan Street to Binhe West Road in 30 minutes to reach Jin Temple directly.

　　4. The Three Treasures of Jinci Temple

　　The Three Treasures of Jin Temple are connected together and are located on the central axis of Jin Temple. You can visit them together. The Xian Hall is a place for offering sacrifices. The walls on all four sides are fence-like and ventilated and cool. What is special is that there is not a single iron nail on the beams and pillars in the entire hall. The Yunuma Feiliang is located in front of the Xian Hall and was built in the Song Dynasty. One end of the "Flying Beam" is connected to the Holy Mother Hall, which is the oldest existing main building in Jin Temple. The hall is very spacious, and the beams without pillars are a major attraction. The 8 columns in front of the hall are carved with 8 wooden dragons that are about to fly, which together with the "Yunuma Feiliang" are quite imposing.

　　5. The Three Wonders of Jinci Temple

　　With the Holy Mother Hall as the center, it is easy to find the "Three Wonders". The painted clay statues are in the Holy Mother Hall. The main statue of the Holy Mother sits in a wooden shrine, dignified and gorgeous, and the other 42 attendants are on both sides. Master Mei Lanfang once stood in front of this maid for a long time, carefully savoring her movements and heart, and praised her highly. Zhoubai is located on the north side of the Holy Mother Hall. It was planted in the Western Zhou Dynasty and has a history of more than 3,000 years. Nanlao Spring is located on the south side of the Holy Mother Hall. The source of Jinshui flows out from here all year round.