Things to do in Zuoyun

2026 Asia 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Shanxi Museum

"Five thousand years of history can be seen in Shanxi." Located on Binhe West Road in Taiyuan, the Shanxi Museum showcases the essence of Shanxi's cultural relics. The museum consists of a main building and four corner annexes, with the main building resembling both a dipper and a ding vessel, serving as the primary venue for travelers to view the collection. The main building has four floors. The first-floor lobby features a general service desk, while the second and third floors host thematic exhibitions on history and culture. The fourth floor showcases art-themed exhibitions, which together form the permanent displays of the Shanxi Museum. After entering the first-floor lobby, proceed to the second floor via the stairs to begin the historical journey themed "Soul of Jin." The cultural and historical thematic exhibition showcases the highlights of Shanxi's five-thousand-year civilization through numerous precious artifacts, ranging from ancient human relics to the rise and fall of Shanxi merchants during the Ming and Qing dynasties over five centuries. During your visit, several exquisite artifacts are not to be missed. The bird zun, a bronze ritual vessel from the Western Zhou period, was used in the ancestral temple sacrifices of the Jin marquis. The bird zun features an exquisitely crafted design with a phoenix as its main form. On the phoenix's back rests a small bird, serving as the handle for the vessel's lid. At the tail of the phoenix, an elephant is depicted, with its long trunk perfectly balancing the phoenix's two legs to form a stable tripod base. This artifact is a representative piece among the bronze collections in the museum. In addition, you can also admire: the Houma covenant texts, which are oath documents from the Spring and Autumn period used by the ministers of the Jin state; the lacquered wooden panel paintings, a painted screen from the Northern Wei dynasty depicting colorful stories from the "Biographies of Exemplary Women"; the white marble sarcophagus, a relic from the Sui dynasty, belonging to a tomb occupant who was a member of the Central Asian Yu people, with intricate carvings both inside and outside the sarcophagus, featuring figures with deep-set eyes, high noses, and black hair, characteristic of the Mediterranean Caucasian race. In the cultural thematic exhibition, you can also learn about the origins and development of Buddhism and traditional opera in Shanxi. The fourth floor of the main hall features an art thematic exhibition area. Among them, the "Timber and earth splendor" - ancient architectural art thematic exhibition showcases Shanxi's status as a province rich in cultural relics and ancient structures. "For above-ground relics, look to Shanxi" - Shanxi is renowned as the "treasure trove of ancient Chinese architecture," boasting over half of China's above-ground ancient structures with comprehensive categories, especially in the quantity of religious buildings. If you're a fan of ancient architecture, this is a must-visit. The Shanxi Museum also hosts temporary exhibitions periodically. At the first-floor lobby service desk, services such as hiring on-site guides (Chinese and English) and renting audio guides are available. The main building also houses a restaurant and a tea house for visitors.

No. 2 of Night Attractions in Shanxi

Xinzhou Ancient City

Xinzhou was called Xiurong in ancient times. It is located between Taiyuan and Mount Wutai. It is the seat of Xinzhou Administrative Office and Prefectural Committee. In the Spring and Autumn Period, Xinzhou belonged to Jin State. In the Warring States Period, it belonged to Zhao State. In the Qin and Han Dynasties, it belonged to Taiyuan County, Yanmen County, and Taiping County. In the Sui Dynasty, it was Xinxingdu and Yanmen. During the Tang, Five Dynasties and Song dynasties, it was called Dingxiang Prefecture of Xinzhou. During the Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, it was called Xinzhou, Daizhou and Baodezhou. During the Anti-Japanese War and the War of Liberation, most of the area belonged to Jinchaji, and the area to the west belonged to Jinsui. In 1949, Xinzhou Prefecture was established. The cultural relics and historical sites in Xinzhou City include: Xinzhou North Gate Tower. Located in Xinzhou City, on the Gongchen Gate of the old north city wall. The North Gate Tower was built in the 24th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty. The tower is located on the 12-meter-high city wall, which makes it more majestic and magnificent. The city wall stands tall and is painted red on the outside. There is a Voucher doorway below, with a very high top and a bottom width of more than 3 meters.

No. 1 of Activities in Beijing

Great Wall Scenery Viewing in Beijing

The Great Wall around Beijing presents diverse experiences, from fully restored sections to wild, rugged trails. Each segment tells a unique story and offers distinct scenery. Badaling Great Wall: The most iconic and accessible section, Badaling features impressive fortifications and sweeping views. Ideal for first-time visitors, it offers cable car access and well-preserved watchtowers, though it can be crowded during peak seasons. Mutianyu Great Wall: Known for its beautiful scenery and fewer crowds, Mutianyu combines restored walls with forested surroundings. Visitors can take a cable car up and slide down via toboggan, adding fun to the cultural experience. Juyongguan Great Wall: This strategically significant pass served as a vital military stronghold. Its steep steps and circular route provide a challenging climb with rewarding panoramic views of surrounding mountains. Simatai Great Wall: For adventure seekers, Simatai retains its original Ming Dynasty character with steep, uneven steps. The only section open for night tours, it offers breathtaking illuminated views and a rugged, less-commercialized experience.

No. 7 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shanxi

Datong Museum

Datong Museum is a comprehensive museum, now a national first-class museum. It contains more than 10,000 pieces of cultural relics, and the majority of them are locally found. There are four exhibition halls in the pavilion, each of which shows the gorgeousness of Datong as the capital of Northern Wei Dynasty. The displays mainly include the ceremonial troops unearthed from Sima Jinlong's tomb, the headstones of Song Shaozu's ancestors, Persian silver coins, Xianbei accessories, and the Northern Wei Dynasty celadon. Among them, the stone carvings unearthed in the Northern Wei architectural sites outside the South Gate of Datong City are rarely seen in the art of stone carving.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Shuozhou

Jingtu Temple

It is located in the northeast corner of Ying County, also known as the North Temple. Founded in the second year of Jintianhui (1124). The main hall is the Daxiong Hall, which was rebuilt in the twenty-fourth year of Dading (1184). The temple originally had a mountain gate, a stupa, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Bell and Drum Towers, the East and West Side Halls, the Mahavira Hall, the apse, and the Tibetan Sutra Building. Today, only the Mahavira Hall remains. The Daxiong Hall is the main hall of the whole temple. It was built in the twenty-fourth year of Jin Dading. The single eaves rest on the top of the mountain, the roof of the hall is covered with tubes and tiles, and the eaves are inlaid with green glaze. The building is magnificent. The caisson in the hall is surrounded by golden dragons on all sides, with beautiful shape and fine composition. The murals on the four walls of the hall were painted in the Qing Dynasty, mainly describing the Buddhist deeds of Sakyamuni Buddha and various Bodhisattvas.

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Wulanhada Volcano Geopark

Wulanhada Volcano Geopark is hidden deep in the grasslands of Ulanqab. It is an exceptionally young volcanic chain, with geological surveys indicating eruption records within the last approx. 10,000 years. The park features a complete array of landscapes, including volcanic cones, lava flows, and barrier lakes, and is hailed as a natural "volcano museum," having even graced the cover of Chinese National Geography magazine. The volcanic cones are spread across the grassland like beads on a string, and local herdsmen have named them based on their shapes and colors: Red Mountain, Fire-Burning Mountain, North Alchemy Furnace, Black Brain Bag, Middle Alchemy Furnace, South Alchemy Furnace, North Sharp Mountain, and South Sharp Mountain. Half the fun of exploring this place lies in "finding the mountains by number." Popularity is concentrated on several "alchemy furnaces": Volcano no. 3 (North alchemy furnace) has a wooden boardwalk, allowing easy access to the summit for panoramic views of the entire volcanic chain and grasslands, with particularly photogenic light at sunset; Volcano no. 5 (Central alchemy furnace) features a well-preserved, rounded cone without boardwalks—hiking up the scree slope is more strenuous but rewards visitors with rare tranquility; Volcano no. 6 (South alchemy furnace), whose body was split open by early quarrying, exposes layers of reddish-brown and gray-black volcanic rocks, earning it the nickname "naked volcano." Combined with scattered volcanic debris, its desolate landscape resembles the surface of Mars. Renting a spacesuit to take "Mars landing" photos here is the park's highly popular signature activity. Further south, Volcano no. 7 and no. 8 are also called North and South pointy mountains. The base of Volcano no. 8 was once famous for its abundant agate deposits. The grassland is open and unobstructed, with strong winds, intense sunlight, and significant temperature differences between day and night. Windproof jackets and sun protection items are worth packing. On clear nights, there is little light pollution, and you can often see the Milky Way when looking up. The park and its surroundings have stargazing cabins and RV campsites, making it suitable to leave the itinerary for the night. The entire volcanic cluster is a protected geological heritage. Agates and volcanic rocks should only be admired, as digging them would damage the grassland. Vehicles should also stick to existing roads and avoid driving into the pastures.

No. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Shanxi

Wu Tai Shan

Wu Tai Shan is located in Wutai County, Xinzhou City. It is named for its five peaks, whose summits are flat like platforms and cluster together. As the sacred site of Bodhisattva Manjushri, it is dotted with numerous temples and is one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains. It is also a well-known summer resort, with a cool and pleasant climate in summer. What makes it unique is the coexistence of Yellow Temples (Tibetan Buddhism) and Blue Temples (Han Buddhism); visitors can see both Han Buddhist monks and Tibetan lamas, and this pattern of Han and Tibetan Buddhism coexisting is quite rare among China's sacred Buddhist mountains. If the five fingers are likened to the towering "Five Terraces," the palm is Taihuai Town—the geographic center of the attraction, where most temples are concentrated and which serves as the main base for visitors. To the northwest of the town lies a cluster of essential temples, which can be explored on foot or by the attraction's eco-friendly shuttle bus. The Great White Stupa of Tayuan Temple is the landmark structure of the attraction; in front of the gate of Luohou Temple stand a pair of ancient stone lions; Xiantong Temple is the largest Qingmiao (Chinese Buddhist) temple on the mountain; and Pusading is a highly representative Yellow Hat (Tibetan Buddhist) monastery. From Taihuai Town, crossing the Qingshui River to the north, you reach Dailuoding. Ascending the Dazhi Road with over a thousand stone steps, you can pay homage to the Five Directional Manjushri statues, known as the "Little Pilgrimage," or take a round-trip cable car. Heading south along the road, Bishan Temple is a Ten Directions Zen Monastery, housing a Burmese jade Buddha and a statue of the future Buddha Maitreya; Shuxiang Temple contains a tall painted clay statue of Manjushri; Nanshan Temple is renowned for its dazzling array of stone carvings and offers distant views of the South, North, and Central Terraces. Zhenhai Temple is serene and secluded, preserving painted murals within, and local folklore tells of legends related to Emperor Shunzhi's renunciation. In addition to the main temples above, there are also Nanchan Temple, Longquan Temple, Baiyun Temple, and others on the mountain, each with its own distinctive features. If you wish to reach the summit of the five terraces—known as the "Great Pilgrimage to the Terraces"—the East Terrace, Wanghai Peak, is a great place to watch the sunrise, with spectacular views of the sea of clouds and the rising sun; the South Terrace is covered with wildflowers in summer; on the West Terrace on an autumn night, the moon hangs like a mirror above the peak; the North Terrace is a high peak in North China and an excellent spot for enjoying snowy scenery, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains after snowfall.

No. 16 of Best Things to Do in Shanxi

The Qiao's Family Compound

The Qiao's Family Compound is located in the center of Qiaojiapu village, Qi county, also known as "The Qiao Family CourtyardIt was the residence of Qiao Zhiyong, a renowned commercial and financial capitalist in the Qing Dynasty, and has served as a filming location for over 30 movies and TV series, including "The Qiao Family Courtyard" and "Raise the Red Lantern." If you've seen these films, you'll surely recognize the scenes here: rows of red lanterns hanging high, towering brick walls, exquisite carvings, beautiful bracket sets and upturned eaves, and deep alleys. This is the famous The Qiao Family Courtyard. This is a residential complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties, its architecture resembling a castle, imposing and grand, typical of the living style of a large northern family during the Ming and Qing periods. Viewed from above, the entire courtyard layout resembles the Chinese character "囍" (double happiness), symbolizing good fortune. The complex is meticulously laid out yet also varied; even the more than 140 chimneys on the rooftops are unique. It is said to have been built by the imperial family.The Forbidden CityThere's a saying that "for residential architecture, visit the Qiao family courtyard". Upon entering the Qiao family courtyard, a straight stone-paved path approx. 80 m long divides the six courtyards into two rows, north and south. According to traditional naming, the three courtyards on the north side of the Qiao family courtyard are called the old courtyard, northwest courtyard, and study courtyard from east to west. The three courtyards on the south side are called the southeast courtyard, southwest courtyard, and new courtyard, reflecting the construction sequence of each courtyard. The brick carvings, painted decorations, and inscribed plaques in each courtyard are exquisitely crafted. The standout is the "hundred longevity characters" screen wall at the main entrance, featuring 100 uniquely styled seal-script "longevity" characters, where art and culture blend seamlessly. The brick carvings at the land god shrine are also noteworthy. Under the eaves of every room in the Qiao family courtyard, you'll find genuine gold-painted decorations, notably created using the raised paste technique with meticulous layering and final gold application. Among the many inscribed plaques at the Qiao family courtyard, the one personally calligraphed by Fu Shan in the fourth courtyard is particularly remarkable.Danfeng pavilion“Plaque”, when visiting here, be sure to learn about the story behind this plaque. Additionally, there are three treasures in the Qiao Family Courtyard: the ten-thousand-people ball, the rhinoceros gazing at the moon mirror, and the nine-dragon lantern. The rhinoceros gazing at the moon mirror was the treasure that brought wealth to the Qiao family, while the nine-dragon lantern was a gift from Empress Dowager Cixi, located in the courtyard at the southern center. Today, the Qiao family courtyard also serves as a folk museum, with its six courtyards respectively displaying agricultural life through the seasons, life rituals, inner gardens, commercial customs, luxurious furnishings, and the history of the Qiao family. Visitors can explore while learning about the Qiao family's philosophy of life, household management, and business.

No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shanxi

Taiyuan Botanical Garden

Overview of Taiyuan Botanical Garden The attraction is a landscaping project designated by the municipal party committee, was selected into the third batch of PPP demonstration projects by the Ministry of Finance, and won the Shanxi Province PPP Project Award for Improving the Living Environment. It is located at the foot of Taishan Attraction in Jinyuan District, starting from Fengyugou Mouth in the west, extending to Old Jinci Road in the east, from Fengyu Shahe in the north to Taigu Highway in the south, with a total area of approx. 2,730 mu and a total project investment of CNY 3.558 billion. The overall plan of the garden is divided into five functional areas: the entrance management area, the plant scientific classification area, the plant scientific application area, the plant evolution display area, and the scientific experiment area. The construction content includes five major building areas—the main entrance building, the exhibition conservatory, the potted plant museum, the waterfront restaurant, and the research center—as well as twenty-five specialized gardens. To date, more than 5,800 species of plants have been collected. The architectural design of the botanical garden project was completed by the internationally renowned design firms DMAA Architecture Design Co., Ltd. of Austria and Valentin Urban Planning and Landscape Design Office of Germany, and the landscape design was completed by the Beilin Landscape Planning and Design Institute of Beijing Forestry University. The attraction aims to protect species diversity, plant resources, and historical resources in Shanxi Province throughOwn responsibility, collectTaihang Mountains, Lüliang MountainsA comprehensive botanical garden in our province featuring temperate-zone plant resources dominated by distinctive plants, with introduced and domesticated new, superior, and specialty varieties suitable for the local area. It fully leverages its science education and educational functions, achieving an organic integration of beautiful garden landscapes, scientific substance, and distinctive local cultural resources. It is a comprehensive botanical garden integrating scientific research, science education, tourism, ecological leisure, and cultural tourism, adding to the city a great destination where residents can both systematically learn botanical science knowledge and enjoy leisure, entertainment, and vacation travel,At the same time, it connects with Jinci Temple, Tianlong Mountain Scenic Area, Taishan Longquan Temple Attraction, Mengshan Giant Buddha Attraction, Jinyang Lake Park, and Jinyang Ancient City Ruins Park to form a unique tourism brand for Taiyuan. In addition, its completion provides the necessary conditions for our city to consolidate its title as a "National Garden City" and to create an ecological garden city. At the same time, it has very important practical and strategic significance for improving the categories of parks in our city, promoting the rapid formation and development of the provincial capital's tourism area, improving the urban ecological environment, building a famous historical and cultural city, enhancing the city's quality, and constructing a city of green mountains and clear waters and a harmonious and livable city. Main entrance The main entrance building covers an area of 20,135 m² and incorporates the architectural style of Shanxi courtyard compounds. It is a comprehensive building integrating offices, the plant science popularization hall, the specimen hall, the lecture hall, the restaurant, and visitor reception. Visitors can stand on the cantilever of the main entrance to overlook the entire botanical garden, and in the distance, they can also gaze at the Taishan attraction, taking in the beautiful scenery at a glance. At the main entrance, there are also the Taiyuan Botanical Garden Plant Science Popularization Hall and the Insect Specimen Hall. The Taiyuan Botanical Garden Plant Science Popularization Hall covers an area of 4,300 square meters. All 118 educational science videos in the hall were independently directed and filmed by our garden. The exhibition is themed "Vivid Colors, Fragrant Life, Endless Vitality" and is divided into seven major thematic exhibition areas: Plant Evolution (exploring the origin of plants), Plant Mysteries (understanding plant structure), Plant Wisdom (discovering the wonders of plants), Plant Value (counting the contributions of plants), Plant Ecology (appreciating the influence of plants), Plant Culture (plants and traditional Chinese culture), and Shanxi's Botanical Beauty (distribution and conservation of plants in Shanxi). In the wonderful atmosphere of innovative integration between art and nature, light and shadow dance with flowers and leaves as visitors stroll through. The insect specimen museum displays more than 2,000 boxes (over 4,000) of rare insect and other arthropod specimens, and through the explanation of basic knowledge, it aims to help people understand nature, experience nature, and love nature, and enhance awareness of protecting insects, protecting plants, and protecting the environment. Insects are closely related to human life and are one of the most successfully evolved, diverse, and wonderfully fascinating groups of organisms on Earth. From colorful butterflies, flower-visiting honey-making bees, and loudly singing cicadas, to agile dragonflies and mantises wielding their "broadswords"; from marching ants in groups, to annoying mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, and so on.The variety of insect species is unmatched by other animals. Insects are not only numerous in species, but the number of individuals within a single species is also astonishingly large. More than 1.1 million species of insects are known worldwide, and there may be several million more waiting to be discovered. Harmony between humanity and nature has become a consensus of human society in the present era. Only by living in harmony with the animals and plants of the natural world can humanity achieve sustainable development—this is the purpose and significance of our planning of the insect specimen science exhibition. Exhibition greenhouse The botanical garden conservatory complex consists of three individual conservatories—the Tropical Rainforest Hall, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Succulent Plant Hall, and Rare Flowers Hall—as well as the conservatory energy center. All three exhibition conservatories are built with wooden dome structures with a span of 88 m. Their construction concept inherits the classical wooden structure construction theory of Shanxi on the basis of modern conservatory construction, representing a combination of the classical and the modern, and isBotanical gardenA simple tribute to this beloved land beneath our feet. The tropical rainforest conservatory covers an area of 5,521 m² and consists of the Tropical Rainforest Wonders Area, Tropical Rainforest Community Simulation Area, Flying Waterfall Viewing Area, Fun Botanical Garden, Palm Garden, and Tropical Aquatic Plant Garden; Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Succulent Plant Hall covers an area of 2,245 m² and collects and displays succulents from Africa, the Americas, and Australia; the Rare Plants and Four Seasons Flowers Exhibition Conservatory covers an area of 1,470 m² and mainly collects and displays tropical flowers, ferns, shade-loving plants, and more. For a long time, the exhibition greenhouses of botanical gardens have become charming places in the minds of visitors. The beautifully shaped large exhibition greenhouses, such as those at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the United KingdomPalm houseAlong with the Princess of Wales Conservatory, the grid-shell large-span hemispherical greenhouses at the Missouri Botanical Garden in the United States, the New York Botanical Garden conservatory, and the Longwood Gardens conservatory in Philadelphia, these structures are not only the diamonds in the crown of their botanical gardens but have also become landmarks of the architecture, culture, and civilization of their cities. To a certain extent, exhibition greenhouses can represent the level of cultural, scientific, and technological development of a city. Exhibition greenhouses originated during the European Renaissance. At that time, greenhouses served as cultivation and propagation bases for plant introduction, providing experimental materials and venues for scientific research, as well as places for cultivating flowers and plants for household use. With the improvement of economic and technological levels and humanity's understanding of nature, exhibition greenhouses have undergone significant transformations. Today's exhibition greenhouses are not only places for plant collection and display, scientific conservation and research, but also green spaces that integrate ecology and environment, science popularization and education, culture and art, and tourism and appreciation. Therefore, the exhibition greenhouse is a multi-level, multi-disciplinary, and multi-faceted field, whose construction and operation involve architecture, horticulture, ecology, aesthetics, and management, forming an indoor garden that is artificially controlled and displays plants growing in different regions and climatic conditions along with their living environments. Tropical rainforest hall The tropical rainforest hall covers an area of 5,521 m², relying on the existing mountain terrain on the north side and connecting to a water body on the south side. Through cliffs, precipices, gorges, caves, and flying waterfalls, it presents diverse landscape spaces. The mountain reaches a height of 12 m, with towering peaks and steep cliffs, while also featuring deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and babbling streams. The overall layout combines openness and enclosure, creating a natural and varied topography. Bridges, plank roads, platforms, and stepping stones connect these nodal spaces. The exhibition hall is furnished with various typical tropical rainforest plants. The upper layer is dominated by tall trees whose crowns rise high above the other layers, standing out like a crane among chickens. The middle layer consists of small and medium-sized trees, interspersed with epiphytic and climbing plants that form hanging gardens. The lower layer contains ground cover and fern plants of varying density, while the large trees have gnarled and intertwined roots of diverse forms, making visitors feel as if they are walking through the beautiful and mysterious plant world of a tropical rainforest—sometimes striking and magnificent, sometimes elegant and peculiar, sometimes plain and tranquil, and always deeply evocative. The exhibition hall consists of six areas. Tropical rainforest wonder area The cliff and precipice terrain at the entrance leaves visitors entering the exhibition hall in awe, and stone carvings and rock paintings reflecting the regional culture of the rainforest can be seen everywhere on the cliff face. Following the direction of the cliff, the rumbling sound of water can be faintly heard in the distance, and the skywalk spanning the air comes into view, drawing visitors' footsteps irresistibly to explore. Visitors can also climb the steps to enter the 5 m high aerial viewing platform, where the beautiful scenery unfolds in full view. The plant arrangement in this area mainly focuses on presenting the typical landscape features of tropical rainforests, such as the eight major phenomena of tropical rainforests and the "five trees and six flowers" of Buddhist culture. Tropical rainforest community simulation area Clever use is made of the uneven terrain to display the typical views of Asian tropical rainforest, American tropical rainforest, and African tropical rainforest plant communities. Within the jungle, lush greenery abounds, with tall and dense tree crowns, and hanging gardens created by epiphytic plants can be seen everywhere, colorful and full of spring beauty. The root systems of various plants are also bizarre and distinctive, giving visitors an immersive tropical rainforest experience and feeling. Waterfall viewing area At the entrance, the waterfall is heard before it is seen, and after a winding path it suddenly comes into view before visitors. With the waterfall as the core view of the attraction, it has a drop of 9 m, cascading down in tiers and formed by stacked stone, with a pool of clear water below; the scene combines movement and stillness, blending plants with mountains and water. The viewing point for the waterfall is the viewing platform, from which visitors can gaze into the distance and let their imagination wander. On the ground level, a paved area is left in front of the waterfall as a space for visitors to stroll, enjoy the view, rest, and take photos. Tropical rainforest fruit tree area This area is located on the northwest side of the exhibition hall, where the mountain rises to a height of 12 m and streams flow gently. Various interesting rainforest fruits are planted according to the terrain, such as bananas, papayas, guavas, and jackfruit. Each fruit has different suitable growing conditions, but they generally share a preference for heat and intolerance of cold, so they grow in warm, humid places. In the tropical rainforest fruit tree area, this dazzling and unique phenomenon is displayed, opening up a rainforest world for visitors. Tropical rainforest style area This area is located at the western entrance, where the terrain is relatively flat. It features a concentrated planting of various tall and stately palm plants, graceful and upright in form. Beneath the palms, seasonal flowers are arranged in bright, vivid colors and are replaced periodically according to the season, creating a charming exotic landscape. Tropical aquatic botanical garden With the towering mountain as a backdrop, the water system of the entire mountain is designed to return to this water body. Travelers weave through the undulating tropical jungle, their eyes overwhelmed by the ever-changing scenery, until they arrive at the open water surface, calm and soothing, and stroll across the wooden bridge, connecting with the water and letting their spirits soar. Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Desert Plant House The Taiyuan Botanical Garden's Desert Plant House is a landscape greenhouse integrating species conservation, scientific research, and educational exhibition. The exhibition hall collects desert plants from Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, showcasing the customs and cultures of different desert regions. Combining the existing terrain with a large-scale layout approach, the greenhouse is divided into regional exhibition zones based on the places of origin of cacti and succulents. American desert flora region The area covers approx. 600 m², making it the main exhibition area in this pavilion. The area features saguaros, golden barrel cacti with their all-over golden color, Ferocactus with eagle-claw-like spines, ponytail palms with bottle-shaped trunks, shaving brush trees with trunks resembling tortoise shells, and elegant yuccas as the backbone of the community, with other plants from the Agavaceae and Cactaceae families arranged in a balanced density, allowing visitors to truly experience the American desert scenery with a strong Native American flair. African desert flora region This area covers approx. 200 m² and focuses on showcasing representative desert plants native to the African desert and savanna desert zones. It features a community backbone of the silver-spined, commanding African milk barrel, the desert rose with its sturdy branches and fiery blooms, the awe-inspiring, intricately sculpted Aloe erinacea, and the solitary, leafless pencil cactus, complemented by a desert view of wind-eroded rocks and isolated walls of shifting sand,Among themDotting with other succulents such as aloes and sansevierias, it makes visitors feel as if they were in the vast and lonely African desert where eagles soar. Australian desert flora region This area covers 50 m² and features a community backbone of towering, majestic Queensland bottle trees shaped like giant bottles, elegant and handsome black ebony trees known as Australia's "Black Prince," and robust, formidable Australian Moore cycads, complemented by red soil and curved red rocks, along with other small and medium-sized desert plants arranged with a balanced density, showcasing a unique and charming Australian style. Premium desert plant display case Mainly, it shows that during the growth of desert plants, some species undergo abnormal variations in their form or epidermal color, primarily including variegation, cristation, and monstrose forms. Because the probability of occurrence is very low, they are generally difficult to see, so the mutated individuals appear particularly precious. On one side of the steps in the desert greenhouse, several groups of glass display cases are arranged, mainly used to display cristate golden barrel cactus, variegated golden barrel cactus, cristate African milk tree, and relatively rare premium desert plants such as the genus Lithops of the family Aizoaceae. The dry creek meanders and twists, narrowing from wide to narrow, passing through various exhibition areas to connect the entire desert plant hall before disappearing within the venue, symbolizing the longing for water in the desert and the long-standing historical culture. The echoing peak column in the middle of the venue uses driftwood to create a giant structure shaped like a bottle tree, serving as an extension of the entire venue's space, and the raised central section can display some folk culture specimens from various regions. Four seasons flower hall The greenhouse covers an area of 1,470 m² and incorporates the concept of a sunken garden, with pathways connecting three view levels—high, middle, and low—with a drop of 3 m, spiraling downward. The north entrance serves as the main viewing route, descending step by step through the second-floor viewing platform to reach the ground floor of the entire exhibition hall. The south side features an accessible pathway for people with special needs to reach the ground floor. For plants, tropical flowers, ferns, and shade-loving plants are used to create rich view layers. The varying-height retaining walls are a major feature of this exhibition hall, using materials such as stainless steel panels, stone, and plants to display rich facade effects. Greenhouse plant exhibition area This area covers 470 m² and features a concentrated display of rare plants, shade-loving plants, and ferns, with occasional accents of uniquely shaped, elegant landscape trees or rare plants. Carnivorous plant exhibition area Carnivorous plants use their own methods to make insects stay on their leaves and stems, then fall into their traps and be consumed. The exhibition area displays carnivorous plants through transparent glass display panels, which can both ensure the safety of visitors and allow visitors to observe the growth forms of carnivorous plants up close. Floral-themed attraction display area This area covers 235 m² and is built with walls and streams, using orchids as the main floral material to create a themed attraction. Here, visitors can admire different varieties of orchids and enjoy a feast of orchids. Throughout the year, different themed floral displays are presented here—flowers and scenery together, with flowers within the scenery and flowers blending into the scenery—making it a great spot for visitors to take photos. Premium flower exhibition area Display rare orchid varieties from around the world in a concentrated arrangement using racks, partitions, driftwood, and display cabinets. Examples include: Cattleya from the Americas, the "Queen of Orchids" Phalaenopsis from Southeast Asia, the "Rising Star of Orchids" Cymbidium from Korea, the "Greek Princess" Miltonia, and the "Elegant Dancer" Oncidium. Hanging plant exhibition area This area covers 50 m² and features various tropical orchids and other hanging foliage and flowering plants arranged in a concentrated display through various carriers. Three large-scale three-dimensional floral installations are arranged at varying heights, creating a delightful visual experience. Bonsai Hall One flower, one leaf, one bodhi; one pot, one landscape, one world. Bonsai originated in China, with a long history and a distant source. In the long river of human social history, during the primitive period, humans lived in groups in nature and depended on nature. With the development of human civilization, people living in cities, although residing in cities, still long for and deeply love every plant, every mountain, and every river of nature. This circular, streamlined building employs a technique that combines the solid and the ethereal, bridging the past and the present to showcase the long history, unique craftsmanship, innovative achievements, and cultural connotations of bonsai. Amid the tide of inheritance and innovation, it will remain true to its original aspiration and open a new chapter for Jin-style bonsai! The Bonsai Hall has two floors. Currently, the first floor displays scholar's rocks and landscape bonsai, while the second floor displays stump bonsai, succulents, and other plants. Screens, railings, tables, and other furniture are used to divide the space and display the bonsai and scholar's rocks, presenting the great art of Chinese bonsai through immersive scenes. Bonsai emphasizes the trinity of the scenery, the pot, and the stand. The three essential elements of bonsai complement one another and merge into a single whole, integrating multiple artistic elements to present the overall beauty and artistic beauty of the work. The artistic creations of bonsai craftsmen through the ages enable a small bonsai to reveal a vast world. The pot reveals the beauty of nature, and only through artistic conception can one appreciate the ingenuity of the craftsmanship. As the saying goes, bonsai and scholar's rocks are inseparable; many bonsai enthusiasts are also lovers of scholar's rocks. This is because stones are used when making root-over-rock bonsai and water-and-land bonsai, and if scholar's rocks can be used to complement them, the effect is even more striking. In addition, bonsai and scholar's rocks are both refined hobbies, and the two share much in common. Waterfront restaurant The waterfront restaurant has a building area of 2,822 m² and is built by the water. Its roof uses a traditional Chinese post-and-lintel timber structure, and the floor-to-ceiling glass offers a panoramic view of the botanical garden. Dining here is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Research center The total area is approx. 54 mu. The research center has 7 individual buildings in total, namely the library and specimen museum, staff apartments, laboratory and office building, expert apartments, and garden waste treatment station. To facilitate plant resource introduction and domestication, ex situ conservation, and scientific research for researchers, the research center also features 300 mu of experimental fields. 25 specialized gardens In addition, there are 25 specialized gardens, including: the Plant Application Garden,Xuanqiu Garden, bamboo garden, APG taxonomy garden, rose garden, rare and endangered plant garden,Perennial flower garden, Lilac and Viburnum Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Chrysanthemum Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Rock Garden, Medicinal and Tea Garden,Pagoda, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Arboretum, Ginkgo and Conifer Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Bonsai Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Sophora Garden, Climbing Plant Garden, Water Garden, Brownfield Restoration Demonstration Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Peach Blossom Garden, Cherry and Plum Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Crabapple Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Peony and Herbaceous Peony Garden, Willow and Linden Garden, Taiyuan Botanical Garden - Magnolia Garden. Throughout the year, the scenery is ever-changing. In spring, flowers bloom in abundance; in summer, lush greenery prevails; in fall, the entire garden turns golden; and in deep winter, pines and cypresses stand tall.