Half-Day Tour Guide to Jinci

Jinci, originally known as Jinwangci and initially named Tang Shuyu Temple, was built to commemorate the founding prince of the Jin state, Tang Shuyu, and his mother, Queen Jianghou. It is the earliest existing royal sacrificial garden in China. 🌟 Highlights: There are so many highlights in Jinci that what could be considered a fine cultural relic elsewhere might not even make the list here. Only the most quintessential are showcased. The Three Treasures of Jinci's Architecture. Jinci houses architectural styles from the Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties to the Republic of China, making it a unique example of a complete chronological sequence in China. Its affiliated colored sculptures, murals, and steles are all national treasures. The Three Treasures of Jinci include the Shengmudian, the Fish Pond Flying Bridge, and the Xian Hall. ——Shengmudian, as the core building of Jinci, is one of the representative works of Chinese Song Dynasty architecture, with a unique style where the columns of the corridor slightly incline inward, creating a sense of restrained beauty. ——Fish Pond Flying Bridge: The earliest existing combined land and water bridge in China, with its unique cross-shaped bridge style, stands as a lone example of ancient Chinese bridge architecture. ——Xian Hall: Built in the eighth year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1168 AD), it has a light structure and a distinctive beam frame structure, showcasing the ingenious design and exquisite craftsmanship of the ancients. The Three Wonders of Jinci: ——Nanlao Spring: A wonder of Jinci, with clear spring water and a long history. ——Maiden Statues: With varied forms and lifelike appearances, they display the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient artisans. ——Zhou Cypress: Its ancient tree age complements the history of Jinci. The Three Famous Plaques of Jinci: ——'Nanlao' Plaque. The 'Nanlao' plaque is located on the side of the Nanlao Spring Pavilion next to the Shengmudian in Jinci. It was inscribed by the calligrapher Fu Shan and is the most famous plaque in Jinci. ——'Shuijing Tai' Plaque. The 'Shuijing Tai' plaque hangs on the front of the Shuijing Tai, a building directly opposite the main entrance of Jinci, known as the Shuijing Tai, an ancient stage facing east and west. This plaque was inscribed by Yang Erniu, a Qing Dynasty Hanlin scholar and famous calligrapher. ——'Duiyue' Plaque. The 'Duiyue' plaque is located on the Duiyue Arch along the central axis of Jinci, reportedly inscribed by Gao Yingyuan, a calligrapher and juren (successful candidate in the imperial examinations) from Taiyuan County. 📍Detailed Address: Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province 🚗Transportation Guide: Take bus lines 308, 804, or 856 from Taiyuan Railway Station to reach Jinci directly; take bus line 79 from Taiyuan South Station or take a taxi to reach Jinci directly. 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00—18:00 (April 1st to October 31st) 8:30—17:00 (November 1st to March 31st of the following year) 💰Ticket Price: Peak season (April 1st to October 31st): 80 RMB/person, half-price 40 RMB/person; Off-season (November 1st to March 31st of the following year): 65 RMB/person, half-price 30 RMB/person. 📌Small Tips: Jinci is a large park, and the essence is the Jinci Museum. It's quite a rush to visit the entire park in half a day. If time is limited, it is recommended to go directly to the museum first and then visit the park if time permits. The area where Jinci is located is a tourist attraction in Taiyuan, with nearby attractions such as the Ancient County Town of Taiyuan and the Taiyuan Botanical Garden. If you plan to visit them all, consider planning your trip in advance and choose to stay nearby for one night.