Chunyang Palace (Shanxi Ancient Architecture Museum)
纯阳宫
A Ming-era Taoist temple dedicated to Lü Dongbin, famous for its unique “Nine-Palace Eight-Trigram Courtyard” layout, now the Shanxi Ancient Architecture Museum.
Chunyang Palace, also called Lüzu Temple, stands on Qifeng Street northwest of May First Square. It was founded in the Yuan dynasty, and most surviving buildings were rebuilt in the Wanli era of the Ming dynasty. It enshrines Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals. The complex rises in tiers along the mountain slope. Its third courtyard, the “Nine-Palace Eight-Trigram Courtyard,” uses covered walkways, cave dwellings and pavilions to form a square, symmetrical layout that is rare in China. Climbing to the Weige tower at the top offers views over the city. The site is now the Shanxi Ancient Architecture Museum, whose courtyards display stone carvings, stelae and architectural components from various dynasties. The Tang-dynasty “Nirvana Transformation Stele” is the museum's treasure. Full-price admission is about 30 yuan and must be booked through official channels. It is closed on Mondays (except public holidays) and open 09:00–17:00, with last entry at 16:30. It is a 10-minute walk from Zhonglou Street and can be combined with Chongshan Temple and the Confucius Temple.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30); closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Taiyuan Confucian Temple (Shanxi Archaeology Museum)
- Zhonglou Street & Liuxiang
- Chongshan Temple
- Taiyuan Great Mosque
- Yingze Park
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Taiyuan
- Twin Pagoda Temple (Yongzuo Temple)
- Fen River Scenic Area