Twin Pagoda Temple (Yongzuo Temple)

Twin Pagoda Temple, also called Yongzuo Temple, stands on Shuangta Temple Street in Haozhuang, Yingze District, in southeast Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. It was founded in the late Ming dynasty and takes its popular name from two brick pagodas of about 55 metres that rise above the city's skyline and have become one of Taiyuan's symbols. The pagodas are thirteen-storey octagonal structures built of brick and stone with glazed tile details, and they were constructed in the late 16th century. The temple complex also includes the Beamless Hall, a brick vaulted building with no internal wooden beams, and several other halls and steles. The grounds are known for their peonies, which bloom in late April and early May and attract many local visitors. Visitors walk the courtyards, climb the steps and look at the pagodas from several angles. A typical visit takes about an hour. The best photo vantage is from the central courtyard looking up at both pagodas together, and the area beneath the peony beds adds colour in spring. Crowds are largest during peony season and on weekends, with calm mornings outside these periods. The temple is reached from the city centre by Didi in about 15 to 20 minutes and sits near residential districts, so it combines easily with other sights in Taiyuan, such as the Shanxi Museum. Entry details should be confirmed locally, as ticket prices are not widely published.