Jinci Temple晋祠
Jinci is the oldest ancestral temple in China — founded in the Western Zhou era to memorialize a prince of the founding dynasty — and its Song-dynasty Hall of the Holy Mother holds 43 painted clay maidservant figures from 1,000 years ago, among the finest surviving Song sculptures.
Taiyuan · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Jinci Temple worth visiting?
China's oldest ancestral temple, at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain outside Taiyuan: the Song-dynasty Hall of the Holy Mother with 43 painted figures, Zhou cypresses and a cross bridge.
Quick facts
| Ticket | ¥80 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00-18:00 (Apr-Oct) / 09:00-17:00 (Nov-Mar) |
| Recommended duration | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Year-round |
| How to get there | Bus 856/308 from Taiyuan, 40 min |
| English signage | basic |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
What to expect
The temple commemorates Tang Shuyu, founding prince of the Jin state ~3,000 years ago. The complex unfolds through water pavilions, the flying cross bridge (the earliest known cross-shaped bridge in China) and the Hall of the Holy Mother (984 CE, rebuilt 1102).
Inside the hall stand 43 Song-dynasty painted clay figures — maidservants and attendants of the princess, each with distinct expressions and posture, considered the peak of Song sculpture. Two ancient cypresses at the hall's entrance date to the Zhou dynasty by tradition.
How to get there
Bus 856 or 308 from Taiyuan's Yuci district direction, about 40 minutes to Jinci Park; taxis from downtown run ~40 minutes.
Best photo spots
- The 43 painted maidservant figures (interior, no flash)
- The flying cross bridge over the square pool
- Zhou cypresses flanking the hall
Tips
- Interiors are dim to protect the sculptures — go on a bright day
- Pair with Taiyuan food street for dinner on the way back
Frequently asked questions
What makes Jinci special?
It is the oldest ancestral temple complex in China, and its Song-dynasty painted clay maidservants are among the finest surviving examples of Song figurative sculpture.
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Jin Temple (Jinci)
China's oldest ancestral temple complex, 25 km southwest of Taiyuan — the Song-dynasty Hall of the Holy Mother, the Flying Cross Bridge and Zhou-era cypresses in a single axis.
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Shanxi Provincial Museum
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