Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. Situated next to Fen River and surrounded by mountains, Taiyuan is an ancient city with 2,509 years of urban history, which can be traced back to 497 BC. Taiyuan was the capital or provisional capital of many dynasties in China which has a profound background of history.
The city is seated near the center of the province, and at the intersection of the province's two main interprovincial highways, G307 and G208, which traverses the province in a north-south direction. The strategic location and rich history make Taiyuan one of the economic, political, military, and cultural centers of Northern China. Now, Taiyuan is important as home to heavy industry and mining. It is one of the main manufacturing bases of China.
Most travelers pass through Taiyuan en route to Pingyao, but the city has enough to keep you occupied for a day with its excellent museum and a few hansom temples, including the Shanxi Museum, the carvings at Chongshan Temple and the Twin Pagodas.