Two Ming Pagodas and a Peony Garden: Is Taiyuan's Shuanta Temple Worth an Hour?

Shuanta Temple (双塔寺), formally Yongzuo Temple (永祚寺), stands on high ground in south-east Taiyuan. Its two Ming brick pagodas have long been the city's skyline symbol, and the courtyards hold old peonies that flower in spring. Give it about an hour. The ticket is 30 yuan, and April to October hours are 08:30–17:30.

What will you see?

Two tall, thirteen-storey octagonal brick pagodas, built in the late Ming, standing a little apart on a rise above the temple halls. For centuries they were what travellers saw first when approaching Taiyuan, and the city still uses them as its emblem. Close up, the brickwork imitates timber brackets and eaves in fine detail.

The halls below are also Ming and also brick. The main hall imitates a wooden building in masonry, with no timber structure at all, a style typical of the period. Around them is a quiet park with stele corridors.

When is the best time to go?

Peony season. The temple is famous in Taiyuan for its old peonies, including tree peonies that locals call "Ming peonies." They usually bloom from late April to early May, depending on the spring. The garden is busy then, but it is the one time the temple is more than a short stop.

Outside peony season, go in late afternoon light, when the pagodas glow against the sky. The gardens are pleasant in autumn too.

Can you climb the pagodas?

Some older guides describe climbing one of the pagodas. We could not confirm from an official notice that the climb is open in 2026, so do not plan around it. Ask at the gate. Interior stairs in old brick pagodas are narrow, steep and often closed for protection.

How do tickets and hours work?

Checked October 2026 (Asia/Shanghai):

• Ticket: 30 yuan full price, 15 yuan half price, under the April 2026 price notice.
• Peak-season hours (1 April–31 October): 08:30–17:30, last ticket sale 17:00.
• Winter hours from November usually differ. We did not find the 2026 winter figures.
• Booking: through the 双塔博物馆 (Twin Pagodas Museum) WeChat account. Tickets at the gate are often available outside holidays.

Official notices win. Prices and seasonal hours are set each year.

How do you get there?

The temple is in Yingze District, south-east of the old centre and not far from Taiyuan railway station. A taxi from the centre is a short ride. Show the driver 双塔寺. It is on a hill, so expect a short climb from the road.

How does it fit into a day?

Pair it with Chunyang Palace and an evening in the old-town food streets. That makes an easy half-day in the east of the city after a morning at the Shanxi Museum. If time is tight and you must choose between this and Jinci, choose Jinci. The pagodas are a fine hour, not a destination. If brick towers interest you, compare them with the timber tower at Yingxian, centuries older and built in wood.

Cover photo: HerryCFPL / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)