Taiyuan city - China

Taiyuan (Chinese: 太原; pinyin: Tàiyuán; Wade-Giles: T'ai-yüan; is a prefecture-level city and the capital of Shanxi province, China. In 2004, the city had a population of 3.4 million. Several tourist attractions in and around Taiyuan include the Liu Xiang Lane, which contains ancient Chinese houses of important heritage, and several temples, such as the Chongshan Monastery, the Jinci Temple, the Twin Pagoda Temple, and the Shaunglin Monastery Longtan Park and Yinze Park are also popular tourist destinations. Taiyuan is also known for its Liuxiang shopping district and the construction of parks and recreational areas that are praised by the UN Environmental Programme for their role in the improvement of the environmental condition of Taiyuan. Taiyuan's environmental improvement project is being copied in many other Chinese cities and urban areas around the world. Taiyuan's local specialties include: Wheat-made Food: Liang Fen (see Grass jelly), Mian Pi (面皮) Noodles: Dalu Mian, Dao Xiao Mian (刀削面, Knife-Cut Noodles), Lamian, Mao Er Duo (猫耳朵, Cat Ear Noodle), Xi Hong Shi Chao Ji Dan Mian (西红柿炒鸡蛋面), Noodles with Tomato and Scrambled Eggs), Ti Mian (剔面, Scraped Noodles) Soup: Tou Nao (头脑, "Brain" Soup): Contains mutton, rice wine and vegetables in the soup. It was invented by a famous person named FuShan. He invented it for his mother.) Yang Za Ge,Yang Rou tang (羊肉汤): a kind of soup which is made of mutton. Served during the wintertim Wan Zi Tang (丸子汤): meatball soup Vinegar: Taiyuan is known for its vinegar, Lao Chen Cu (老陈醋, "Long-preserved Vinegar"). Taiyuan is one of the great industrial cities of China and lies on the Fen River in the north of its fertile upper basin. It commands the north-south route through Shanxi, as well as important natural lines of communication through the mountains to Hebei province in the east and (via Fenyang) to northern Shanxi province in the west. It is considered to be one of the world's most polluted cities, although factory shutdowns related to global economic downturn may have reduced environmental hazards somewhat. Climate Taiyuan experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk). Spring is dry, with frequent dust storms, followed by early summer heat waves. Summer tends to be warm to hot with most of the year's rainfall concentrated in July and August. Winter is long and cold, but dry and sunny. Because of the aridity, there tends be considerable diurnal variation in temperature, except during the summer.