The beauty of the Three Jin regions is best represented by Jinyang; and the beauty of Jinyang is all in Jinci

On the way back from Tibet to Qinghai, I made a special stop in Taiyuan. The time was very short, only 24 hours. Choosing between Jinci and the Shanxi Museum was a dilemma, so I decided to visit both. Giving up on either would leave a small regret, even if I could visit it later. Not visiting Jinci would make the trip to Taiyuan in vain, so I made Jinci my first stop. Jinci is located in Jinci Park in the southwest of Taiyuan, about 30 kilometers from the city center. Originally named Tang Shuyu Shrine, it was built by Jin Marquis Xie Father to commemorate his father Tang Shuyu, and was established in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC). It is the earliest existing royal garden in China and the ancestral shrine of the Jin State. The Jinci we see today was rebuilt during the Northern Song Dynasty. The main hall is not the Tang Shuyu Shrine but the Hall of the Holy Mother, which is dedicated to the Holy Mother. Jinci Park is free to enter, while the Jinci Museum charges an 80 yuan ticket fee. Children under 6 and seniors over 60 are free. The electric car round trip costs 10 yuan. There is some distance from the park entrance to Jinci, so it is recommended to take the electric car. Unless you have done sufficient homework in advance, it is recommended to hire a guide. The guides in the scenic area charge 100 yuan and 80 yuan, and their levels vary. Some even have heavy accents, so it's worth inquiring beforehand. The main attractions in Jinci are the Three Wonders, the Three Treasures, and the Three Famous Plaques. Three Wonders: Song Dynasty colored sculptures, Zhou cypress, and Nanlao Spring Three Treasures: Offering Hall, Fish Pond Flying Bridge, and Hall of the Holy Mother Three Famous Plaques: Water Mirror Terrace Plaque, Duiyue Plaque, and Nanlao Plaque The place is not large, but it has ancient buildings from the Northern Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. To see everything properly, you need to allocate at least three hours. The tour route is: Water Mirror Terrace (Ming and Qing Opera Stage) → Jinren Terrace (Lotus Terrace) → Stone Stele inscribed by Tang Taizong Li Shimin → Duiyue Archway (Wanli 4th year of the Ming Dynasty) → Offering Hall → Fish Pond Flying Bridge (the world's first overpass) → 3000-year-old Zhou cypress (Wolong cypress) → Hall of the Holy Mother → Nanlao Spring There are many towering ancient trees in Jinci Park, which seem to stretch the distance between heaven and earth. Despite the crowds, you can still feel the tranquility of Jinci. Jinci is very beautiful and needs to be experienced in person!