Taiyuan Vacations, Taiyuan Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Taiyuan Vacation Guide

Taiyuan is an ancient capital, constructed by Zhaojianzi (趙簡子/赵简子) in ca. 500 BC, named Jinyang (晉陽/晋阳). It was renamed Taiyuan in the Qin Dynasty. Several Emperors came from this city, therefore the other name of the city is "Dragon City". The most famous emperor is Li Shiming during Tang Dynasty. Many ancient Chinese poets were also from Taiyuan. In Tang Dynasty, Taiyuan was a secondary capital of China and a cultural center.
A new city was built in 562 AD, which was later linked to the old city during the Tang Dynasty (733 AD).
In 617 AD, Li Yuan and his son Li Shimin rebelled against Sui Dynasty, and founded the Tang.
The oldest existing building in the city is the Temple of Goddess (聖母殿/圣母殿) inside the Jin Ci Complex; it was originally built in 1023 AD and reconstructed in 1102 AD.
The city had been deliberately flooded several times: 453 BC, 969 AD, and was destroyed by war in 1125 AD.
During Ming Dynasty, the city wall was reconstructed in 1568 AD.
During the Sino-Japanese War, Taiyuan was the most inland point that the Japanese Soldiers reached.(quote require!)

Above is from wikipedia.. from my travel experience,
Taiyuan people are nice and friendly. They are, also, pround of their history and heritage. However, this city is very pollution. It's hard to get international tourists, if this is not the transfer post to Pingyao.