Taiyuan Ancient County

Enter Taiyuan Ancient County, a great rebuilding of the Ming Dynasty glory! Rebuilt on its 600-year-old bases near Jinci Temple, this walled city takes you back to ancient Shanxi. Walk through its big gates and streets, and see restored landmarks. It is also a popular place for filming, it's a fun way to learn about China's buildings and culture.

Highlight

Magnificent City Wall

City Wall

Builders started this wall in 1375 during Ming Dynasty Hongwu year eight. The wall circles the old town for 3,732 meters. Its base runs 13 meters wide. Top widths differ: outside measures 9.28 meters, inside stretches eight meters. The outside wall reaches thirteen meters high. The inside wall stands twelve meters tall. Defensive buildings count four main gate towers. Four corner watchtowers exist. Thirty-seven lookout towers remain. Each direction keeps one gate. East holds Guanlan. South has Jinxian. West keeps Wangcui. North contains Fengxuan. All show grand ancient designs.

Historic Taiyuan County Yamen (County Office)

Find this complex north of East Cross Street in Taiyuan Ancient County Town. Builders finished it in 1375 during the Ming Dynasty. It spreads across 35,700 square meters. The design follows strict Ming government rules. Everything faces south. Civil offices sit on the east side. Military offices stay on the west. Official rooms fill the front section. Living quarters occupy the back area. The prison sits in the south zone. Local leaders worked here long ago. They used legal power and management control. Today, this place helps people learn about old Chinese government systems.

Confucius Temple

Workers first built this temple in 1373 under Ming Dynasty rule. The temple honors Confucius, China's great thinker. Its central building is Dacheng Hall (Hall of Great Accomplishment). Inside this serious space stands Confucius's statue. Statues show his students around him. The design mixes beauty with seriousness. Special events happen yearly at Chinese New Year and Confucius's birthday. Many local people and travelers attend these ceremonies. Visiting here shows Confucian ideas shaping Chinese culture deeply.

Immersive Manjianghong Film and Television Base

The northeast film base in the ancient town became popular after Manjianghong came out. It copies scenes from the movie so visitors step inside its world. This traditional courtyard complex has special design work. Walk through its tight alleys and big courtyards, and you'll see well-kept movie sets there—grand halls, living spaces, training grounds. Actors sometimes perform in old clothes. They recreate famous movie scenes right there. You may feel drawn into history. It also helps you comprehend the historical context behind the movie.

Educational Value

Visit Taiyuan county yamen to see Ming Dynasty court trials recreated. Find historical punishment tools displayed there. Read preserved documents and archives. These displays clearly show Ming-Qing era administration work and courtroom practices. This experience helps you really get ancient "virtue first, punishment second" governing ideas.

Activities to do at Taiyuan Ancient County Town

Daily Performances at Ancient City： Taiyuan Ancient County Town has dance shows every day. Street dance is from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM. At 6:00 PM it changes to traditional Chinese dance. This ends at 7:40 PM. The Kuixing Pavilion light show is at 8:30 PM. Check the official website for exact times.

Hua Mo Making Experience： In Taiyuan Ancient City is a hua mo study society. There you can watch how Shanxi’s traditional flower buns are made. They also offer hands - on hua mo making experiences, but you have to make a reservation ahead of time. For specific reservation times, look up their official website.