Jinci Temple is a popular tourist destination in Taiyuan. [Photo/Taiyuan news network]

Three national-level honorary steles – National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, National First-Class Museum, and National AAAAA Tourist Attraction – were unveiled at Dieshui Square in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province, on Aug 23, marking Jinci Temple Museum as one of only 12 institutions in China to hold all three titles.

This indicates significant progress for Jinci Temple in cultural preservation, museum development, and cultural tourism integration.

Jinci Temple, located at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain and the source of the Jinquan Spring, is a large, ancient, and well-preserved ancestral hall-style garden complex. In 1961, the temple was listed as one of the first National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Responsible for protecting this cultural heritage, the Jinci Temple Museum has in recent years been promoting the utilization and conservation of cultural relics and the integrated development of culture and tourism.

It has optimized exhibition quality, enriched cultural activities, strengthened promotion, enhanced the public experience and deepened cultural interpretation, achieving a National First-Class Museum designation with the highest score in the nation.

At the same time, with its complete infrastructure, standardized management services, and rich history, it has been recognized as a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction.

In the list of the top 100 museums nationwide by number of visitors in 2024, released on the official website of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Jinci Temple Museum ranked 32nd with 4.38 million visits.