# Jinci Temple (晋祠)

Taiyuan, Shanxi Province · North China, China · Guidebook rating: 5/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/jinci-temple
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥80
- **Opening hours:** 8：30—18：00
- **Time needed:** 2–4 hours
- **Address:** At the foot of Xuanweng Mountain, about 25 km southwest of central Taiyuan
- **Getting there:** Near Jinci Park (bus stop)
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Architecture, Hiking & Outdoors, Photography

## About Jinci Temple

Jinci Temple was first built during the Northern Wei dynasty and was once the ancestral shrine of Ji Yu, the founding ruler of the State of Jin. After many rounds of construction and expansion, it has become a scenic site where natural landscape and historical relics intertwine. Half-hidden among lush trees, clear spring water winds through its shrines and halls, drawing constant praise from visitors.
There are three must-see highlights, known as the “Three Wonders of Jinci.” The first is the Ancient Cypresses of Zhou and the Tang Locust, planted during the Northern Zhou dynasty. More than 900 years ago, Ouyang Xiu praised them in verse: “The land's spirit nourishes the grasses and trees, and the ancient cypresses breathe a hazy green.” They still stand tall and vigorous today. The second is the Song-dynasty painted sculptures inside the Holy Mother Hall. The Holy Mother Hall is the main building of Jinci Temple, magnificent and grand, and it houses 43 painted clay sculptures. Their postures are natural and their craftsmanship is exquisite, making them masterpieces in the history of Chinese sculpture. The third is Nanlao Spring, the main source of the Jin River, which flows ceaselessly day and night. Also within Jinci is the stele bearing the “Inscription of Jinci Temple,” personally composed by Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty, Li Shimin. It is a particularly precious famous stele.

## Tips from the guidebook

- How to Visit Jinci and the Best Seasons
- 1. You can tour Jinci in three sections: the central, northern and southern parts. The central axis runs from the Jinci gate to the Holy Mother Hall and forms the core of the temple. The northern section, from the Wenchang Palace to the Lüzu Pavilion, features undulating groups of buildings with high artistic value. The southern section, from the Shengying Tower to the Gongshuzi Shrine, has the charm of a Jiangnan garden.
- 2. Jinci preserves many precious relics and many beautiful legends. If you are interested, buy a booklet at the entrance to read as you wander the grounds, or hire a guide for an explanation.
- 3. Spring, summer and autumn offer the finest scenery; winter is somewhat less impressive.

---
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 1789. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
Site: China Trip (https://cnatrip.com) — independent China travel guide in 13 languages.