Taiyuan has a warm temperate continental monsoon climate with an average annual temperature of 9.3 C (48.7 F). It has sufficient sunshine but little rainfall.
The temperature in spring (March to May) increases rapidly. Spring here often comes with strong sunlight and heavy wind. If you travel to Taiyuan in spring or summer, sunglasses, sun block and a sunhat are necessities.
Summer is hot and rainy with high humidity. The average temperature is about 23 C (73 F) and the mean rainfall is 250-280 millimeters, mainly concentrated in late July and August. The temperature in autumn (September to November) falls quickly and the average is 8 C (46 F)-10 C (50 F). The fair weather in this season makes it the best season for traveling. Winter, averaging a temperature of -7 C (44.5 F), is always cold and dry. Warm clothes should be prepared for traveling in this season.
Taiyuan Wusu Airport Airport code: TYN Wusu, an outskirt south of Taiyuan City, about 9.3 miles from the downtown area. Taiyuan Wusu Airport is one of the most important airports in Shanxi Province. Direct flights are available from Taiyuan to major cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guilin, Nanjing, Shenyang and Xian. Taiyuan has opened to five international air lines since July, 2005 with flights connecting Taiyuan with Frankfurt, Paris, London, New York and San Francisco with all of these flights making a stopover in Beijing.
Airport Transportation:
There is no airport shuttle bus between the airport and downtown Taiyuan. The best way is to take a taxi, taking about 30 minutes to reach the center of the city. The taxi fare varies between about CNY 25-60. A Bus, No. 201 is an alternative that takes you to the railway station from the airport and costs
Taiyuan benefits from convenient public transport systems as the city is the provincial transportation hub.. There are public buses No. 308 and 804 in front of the Railway Station Square heading for the Jinci Temple. The bus fare is CNY 1 for 308 and CNY 2 for 804. The taxi fare is CNY 7 for the first three kilometers (1.9 miles) and CNY 1 for the succeeding kilometer.
Accommodation facilities have become more and more advanced over recent years and range from 5-star hotels to a selection of comfortable guest houses. For most Taiyuan people, the city's squares and parks are first choice nightlife destinations. Coffee bars and pubs are also popular places to congregate and relax.
Nangong Square, as one of the main squares in Taiyuan, has become an ideal place for entertainment and various activities take place here. In the evening, people living near the Fenhe Scenic Area, often relax with their families and friends in its calm surroundings after a hard-working day.
Taiyuan is the capital city of Shanxi Province. Located in the center of the province, it is also the political, economic and cultural center of Shanxi.
Taiyuan is a city bounded on three sides by mountains. It has a long history and in ancient times was an important military town. At present, Taiyuan is one of China's heavy industrial cities and account for more than half the national coal mining output.
The gourmand should be aware that Shanxi noodles are highly reputed all over China, as well as the local vinegar. Other local delicacies are the Tou Nao, the Steamed Dumpling, Sausages and Mutton Soup. To accompany these wholesome foods there are Fen Jiu (Fen Wine) and Zhuye Qing (Zhuye Qing Wine). As well as its cuisine the city is noted for products such as finely crafted lacquer ware.
- The Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Art Festival will be held in September, in which numerous performances from different places in the world will be on show.
- Taiyuan also has a wealth of tourist attractions and notably among these is the Jinci Temple. This is the city's most attractive temple although the Shuangta Si (Twin-Pagoda Temple) has become a symbol of Taiyuan on account of its unique architecture.
- Another major attraction is the Tianlong Shan Stone Caves where magnificent sculptures dating from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) may be seen.