Taiyuan Aston

             


City:

Taiyuan is the provincial capital of Shanxi Province and situated on the northern end of the Loess Plateau.  The first settlements on the site of today’s modern city date back more than 2000 years. In the 13th century Marco Polo referred to the city as “a prosperous city, a great center of trade and industry”. However, it was the center of many armed conflicts due to the fact that it sits squarely on the path by which successive northern invaders could enter China proper.   

Today Taiyuan is a modern metropolis with an urban population of around 2 million, mostly Han Chinese with minority representations of Mongol, Manchu, and Hui. The historic trading atmosphere of the city has not been lost in its modernization and bustling street life is a fixture of the city.  Western influence is low in Taiyuan, enabling the few foreign residents to experience life far removed from their familiarity. 

                

This is the traditional heartland of Northern China and places to experience this history firsthand abound in and around the city.  Shanxi Opera originated here and continues to thrive.  There are numerous ancient temples still active in the city and the surrounding region is a patchwork of traditional villages, many with residents living in cave dwellings hundreds of years old.  The ancient city of Pingyao is a World Heritage Site and is also nearby.  

Shanxi cuisine is unique in China and famous for its noodles and use of high quality vinegar. Being at the crossroads of east and west China the region has benefited from the best of both of these styles.  Taiyuan is the culinary epicenter of the province and its street markets and family restaurants are the best places to try this style of Chinese food.   Cooking styles from the rest of China and Mongolia are also represented here, as are a limited number of international fares.

The weather is marked by extremes and can be hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. It rains very seldom in this high desert country.  The numerous mountain ranges throughout Shanxi see snow in the winter making access to temples and mountain passes difficult a couple of months each year.  

The train station is only 5 minutes from Taiyuan Aston and has convenient connections to the rest of northern China.  Xian, Beijing, and Zhengzhou are easy overnight train rides away.  The landscapes of Inner Mongolia and the Gobi Desert are also similarly accessible.   Datong and the spectacular Yungang Grottos are 6 hours to the north.   

                        
   


School:

Taiyuan Aston opened its doors in October 2005 and is becoming the most respected home of language and culture exchange in the city.  We have both Western and Chinese management staff and a dedicated and professional team of teachers in our classrooms.  Collectively we number 15 staff in total.   

We are located in the heart of downtown Taiyuan.  The newly remodeled building is spacious and professional in its décor.  Facilities include large reception area, numerous classrooms, and Teachers’ Lounge with extensive resources available to our staff.  



Apartments:

Taiyuan Aston has two nearby apartments for the Western teaching staff.  Both are two-bedroom shared accommodation and within 20-minute walk of the school.  The original apartment is in a residential neighborhood with families, small shops, and street gossip at all hours.  It is up on the 6th floor and is clean and tidy as you can see from the photographs.  A DVD player is provided in this apartment.  The bathroom has a western toilet, washbasin and a Chinese style shower.  The other apartment is a modern design and also within a 20-minute walk from the school.  This is for future teaching staff accommodation.