Yongle Palace

Yuncheng, Shanxi in November, The autumn chill rises but warm sunshine often accompanies, Millennium-old buildings appear even more majestic under the clear sky, The colorful Salt Lake lies quietly on the earth like a palette, This is the "Hometown of Guan Yu" and also the "Cradle of Chinese Civilization." Few tourists, a relaxed pace, It is the best season to slowly appreciate the culture of southern Shanxi. This in-depth four days and three nights travel guide under 3000 RMB will take you through a 5,000-year historical corridor! 🗓 Itinerary (4 days 3 nights) Day 1: Arrive in Yuncheng → Visit Guan Di Temple + Salt Lake Sunset Take the high-speed train to [Yuncheng North Station], taxi to the city Check in at a boutique guesthouse near the ancient city 💰600/night × 3 = 1800 In the afternoon, visit [Jiexiu Guan Di Temple] (ticket ¥60), the world's largest ancestral temple of Guan Yu, grand and magnificent ⛩️ In the evening, go to [Yuncheng Salt Lake] (free), capture the pink and green "Mirror of the Sky" and sunset silhouettes 🌅 Day 2: Yongle Palace Murals + Ruicheng Ancient Architecture Exploration ✅ Morning drive to Ruicheng (about 1.5h), visit [Yongle Palace] (ticket ¥50) Be amazed by the Yuan Dynasty mural "Chaoyuan Tu," with lines that have not faded for a thousand years, a treasure of Eastern art 🎨 ✅ Afternoon climb [Guangren King Temple] (free), one of the four surviving Tang Dynasty wooden structures, simple and vigorous Day 3: Sima Wen Gong Shrine + Fushou Temple Twin Towers ✅ Morning visit [Sima Guang Tomb · Wen Gong Shrine] (ticket ¥30), feel the spirit of the historian 📚 ✅ Afternoon head to [Wanrong County], check in at [Feiyun Tower] (ticket ¥35) and [Ji King Temple], the exquisite dougong brackets are astonishing Return to Yuncheng city at night, enjoy a bowl of steaming lamb and radish soup or Wenxi boiled cake 🍲 Day 4: Museum Finale + Return ✅ Morning visit [Yuncheng Museum] (free, reservation required), systematically understand the Hedong civilization Return in the afternoon, full of historical charm 💰 Budget Details: Major transportation: round-trip high-speed train ¥600 (depending on departure city) Accommodation: 1800 (three nights in quality guesthouse, prime location) Meals + tickets + local transport: about ¥500 ✅ Total: about 2900 RMB! Culture lovers rejoice, excellent cost performance Yuncheng in November, No noisy crowds, only the millennium whispers told by bricks and stones. When you stand under the eaves of the Tang Dynasty and look up at the dougong brackets, At that moment, you understand Shanxi, and you understand China.

🚄 Day1: First Encounter with Yuncheng · Guan Gong Pilgrimage 🏨 Accommodation Recommendation: Yuncheng Jianguo Hotel or Salt Lake Resort Hotel ¥800/night *2=¥1600 ✅ Privilege: Free Hanfu experience + "Dreaming Back to Hedong" show ticket 🏯 Morning Sacred Site 8:00 Xiezhou Guandi Temple 🔥 Three Must-Sees: Ming Dynasty Glazed Screen Wall / Chunqiu Tower Suspended Pillars / Emperor Kangxi's Calligraphy "Yi Bing Qian Kun" 🍜 Southern Jin Morning Delights 11:00 Hedong Family Feast 🥢 Three Must-Try Delicacies: Wenxi Zhubing ¥6 / Yongji Beef Dumplings ¥15 / Jishan Mahua ¥5 🌊 Afternoon Spectacle 14:00 Yuncheng Salt Lake 📸 Popular Activities: Floating experience ¥80 + Colorful Salt Lake aerial photography 🌃 Evening Feast & Intangible Cultural Heritage 19:30 Lanshan Gen · Yuncheng Impression 🍢 Must-Order Combo: Lamb Hubo ¥18 / Wanrong Liangfen Heluo ¥10 / Jiangzhou Hotpot ¥88 🏯 Day2: Exploring the Roots of Huaxia 🚗 Chartered Car Day Trip (¥900/includes admission and guide) 🌅 Morning Epic 7:00 Yongle Palace 🎨 Three Stunning Masterpieces: Yuan Dynasty Mural "Chaoyuan Tu" / Glazed Chiwen / Thousand-year-old Ginkgo 🍲 Taoist Vegetarian Feast 12:00 Ruicheng Intangible Cultural Heritage Restaurant 🥗 Specialty Delicacies: Yongle Vegetarian Meal ¥68 / Ruicheng Pickled Vegetable Platter ¥15 🏛️ Afternoon Time Travel 14:00 Xihoudu Site 🔥 Cradle of Human Fire: See traces of human fire use from 1.8 million years ago + Check in at the Sacred Fire Platform ✨ Starry Sky Salt Lake 20:00 Salt Lake Light Show 🌌 Limited Experience: Night view of the "Fluorescent Salt Field" spectacle (Summer exclusive) 🛕 Day3: Yellow River Civilization Tour 🚌 Cultural Special Line (¥200/person including boat ticket) 🌊 Morning Grand Song 8:00 Yellow River Grand Iron Ox 🐂 Glorious Tang Dynasty Memory: Touch the Kaiyuan Iron Ox + Listen to the story of Pujin Ferry ☕ Intangible Cultural Heritage Handicraft 11:00 Xinjiang Chengni Inkstone Workshop 🖌️ Experience Course: Make your own inkstone ¥80 (engraving available for souvenir) 🛍️ Shopping Guide 13:00 Yuncheng Specialty Center 🛒 Must-Buy Souvenirs: Wenxi Zhubing ¥25/box Jishan Jujube ¥35 Jiangzhou Chengni Inkstone ¥200 and up 🚄 Return Trip Tips 16:00 Yuncheng North Station 🧳 Packing Secret: Zhubing needs separate crush-proof packaging 💰 Budget Details Item Cost Transportation (Xi'an → Yuncheng High-speed Rail) ¥120 Accommodation 2 nights ¥1600 Dining ¥900 Admission & Experiences ¥1000 Local Transportation ¥800 Specialty Shopping ¥500 ⚠️ Travel Tips No flash photography allowed for Yongle Palace murals Bring your own swimsuit for salt lake floating Fun Fact: The bronze statue in Guandi Temple weighs 50 tons 🎪 Festival Recommendations September: Guan Gong Culture Tourism Festival June: Salt Lake Colorful Carnival Fun Fact: When Yongle Palace was relocated, its murals were cut into 341 pieces Yuncheng, a city of civilization "etched in bronze for Huaxia," where you can touch the Green Dragon Crescent Blade at Guandi Temple in the morning, enjoy Lamb Hubo while conversing with Yuan Dynasty murals at noon, and float on the Salt Lake gazing at the starry sky at night – with freshly baked Zhubing in one hand and a thousand-year-old Chengni inkstone in the other.

Yuncheng, Shanxi hides a national treasure Taoist temple praised by UNESCO as the "Gallery of Oriental Art." The 700-year-old Yuan Dynasty murals still retain their vibrant colors as if painted yesterday. They are less popular than the Dunhuang murals but equally stunning! 🏯 Basic Information Card 📍 Location: No. 230 North Yongle Street, Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province (3 km north of the county town) ⏰ Opening Hours: Peak Season (3.1-10.31): 8:00-18:00 (last admission at 17:30) Off Season (11.1-2.29): 8:30-17:00 (last admission at 16:30) 💰 Tickets: Full Price: 50 RMB (off season) / 58 RMB (peak season) Half Price: 25 RMB (students / seniors aged 60-69 with ID) Free Admission: Seniors over 70, military officers (with ID) ⚠️ Special Reminder: Closed on Mondays (except holidays)! 🚗 Transportation Guide 1️⃣ Self-driving (recommended) From Yuncheng: Yunfeng Expressway → Ruicheng East Toll Station → Yongle Avenue, about 1 hour Parking: Large free parking lot at the scenic spot entrance, friendly for self-driving visitors 2️⃣ Public Transportation Yuncheng Bus Station → Ruicheng Bus (about 2 hours, 30 RMB) → Taxi (10 minutes, 6-8 RMB) to Yongle Palace Ruicheng Bus Station → Motorcycle taxi (5 RMB) / Taxi (6-8 RMB) / Bus No. 1, about 10 minutes to reach.

Yuncheng, a seriously underrated "Chinese civilization mystery box"! 99% of people only know Shanxi for coal, but they don’t know that half of Chinese history is hidden here! You think Shanxi is just about coal mines and vinegar? Wrong! On this yellow land in southern Shanxi, there’s a treasure city that even many old Shanxi locals haven’t fully explored—Yuncheng! It’s as low-key as a missing chapter in a history textbook, but once you come, you’ll exclaim: The switch of Chinese civilization has long been pressed right here! ⚡ Why Yuncheng? Three words: Super! Hardcore! This is the hometown of the "Martial Saint" Guan Yu (Jiexiu Guandi Temple, the largest Guan Gong shrine in the world) Here lies China’s oldest salt lake—Yuncheng Salt Lake, a magical place where "red rain" falls! 🧂🌈 It hides murals older than Dunhuang—Yongle Palace murals, the pinnacle of Yuan Dynasty art! 🎨 Also the great bend of the Yellow River, the place where Nüwa patched the sky, and the hometown of Sima Guang smashing the water jar... Every step is on the pulse of 5,000 years of civilization! Day 1: Travel through myth ✅ Morning | Ruicheng · Yongle Palace 600-year-old Yuan Dynasty murals, lines as delicate as hair! Free guided tours are a must-hear, so stunning you’ll want to kneel! ✅ Afternoon | Dayu Crossing · Yellow River Scenic Area Take a cable car across the Yellow River, check in at the "Yellow River Snake Bend" wonder, snap a top photo for your "I’m at the Yellow River bend" social feed! 📸 ✅ Evening | Stay at a salt lake wellness homestay, soak in natural brine springs, skin so smooth it reflects light! Day 2: A day tour in the hometown of Lord Guan ✅ Morning | Jiexiu Guandi Temple (50 RMB ticket, half price for students) The "ancestral temple" of all Guandi temples nationwide! Morning light on the glazed roof is so solemn it gives you goosebumps! ✅ Noon | Eat "Shaozimian" + lamb and radish on Yuncheng Old Street Local secret spot: Lao Wang Noodle House, one bowl and your soul smells like home! ✅ Afternoon | Salt lake floating experience (recommended "Colorful Salt Lake" scenic area) Wear a white dress for photos, the water is a pink-blue gradient, like falling into a mix of Maldives and Mars! ⚠️ Tip: Avoid noon sun, the best light for photos is after 4 PM! Day 3: Secret realm exploration ✅ Morning | Ruicheng Guangrenwang Temple (Tang Dynasty wooden structure, one of only four left in China!) So off the beaten path even GPS struggles, but ancient architecture lovers will be ecstatic! Every snap looks like a National Geographic cover! ✅ Afternoon | On the way back, stop by "Nüwa’s Tomb" Tell kids the story of Nüwa patching the sky, the place is right here! History instantly becomes three-dimensional! 🍜 Yuncheng Food Must-Try List ✔️ Boiled dough buns (juicy meat inside, careful not to burn your mouth!) ✔️ Fenjiang rice (sour and appetizing, locals’ top breakfast choice) ✔️ Jishan Mahua (freshly fried! Crispy to the point of crumbling) ✔️ Ruicheng bubble oil cake (sweet but not greasy, tastes like childhood) 📌 Pitfall Avoidance Guide 🚫 Don’t go to the salt lake at noon! UV + reflection = instant sunburn 🚫 Don’t hire expensive guides at Guandi Temple, scan the code at the entrance for free, more professional explanations ✅ Self-driving is most convenient! Attractions are scattered, after taking the high-speed train to "Yuncheng North Station," renting a car is recommended ✅ Best seasons are spring and autumn! April-May for apricot blossoms, pear, peach, rapeseed, and locust flowers blooming in succession. September-October is cool with red leaves all over the mountains, apples fragrant in the air, and persimmons hanging like lanterns. In winter, the Yellow River wetlands attract thousands of Siberian swans, drawing photographers nationwide... Final words: Yuncheng is not noisy, but so profound it leaves you silent; It’s not trendy, but so genuine it touches your heart. Coming here is not just "checking in," it’s a dialogue with your ancestors. "Can you believe it? Guan Gong really grew up here!" Tell me in the comments: who do you most want to bring to this "forgotten heart of Chinese civilization"? Parents? Kids? Or that someone who always says "traveling is boring"? Share this with the friend who’s always wanted to visit Shanxi but never dared! Next stop is Yuncheng, don’t miss it! Yongle Palace, Guanque Tower, Pujue Temple

Winter in Yuncheng is indeed an underrated treasure travel destination. Compared to the severe cold in other parts of Shanxi, Yuncheng's winter is much milder. The average temperature usually ranges from -5°C to 10°C, with many sunny days and a comfortable feel. It is perfect for travelers who are afraid of the cold but want to experience the northern winter atmosphere. ➤【Winter Travel in Yuncheng】 1. In winter, flights and hotels in Yuncheng are cheaper. 2. Fewer crowds and beautiful scenery at attractions, allowing quiet appreciation of ancient architecture. 3. Remember to wear red clothes or a red scarf for especially photogenic pictures. 4. Although it’s not very cold, the climate is dry, so pay attention to moisturizing and skin care, and drink plenty of water. ➤【Recommended Routes】 ☑️ West Line: Yongle Palace + Guangrenwang Temple + Pujiao Temple + Guanque Tower + Guandi Temple + Salt Lake ☑️ North Line: Li Family Courtyard + Houtu Temple + Feiyun Tower + Macun Brick Carving + Qinglong Temple + Ji King Temple ☑️ Xinjiang Line: Jiyi Temple + Baitai Temple + Fusheng Temple + Jiangzhou Government Office + Longxing Temple + Sanguan Temple ➤【Service Advantages】 ☑️ Professional Drivers: Professionally trained and on duty, driver information available on the platform. ☑️ All-Inclusive Price: Includes fuel, parking fees, tolls, and meal allowance. ☑️ Service Details: Equipped with mineral water, rain gear, tissues, and chargers. ☑️ Review System: Real-time public user ratings to regulate service. ☑️ Guaranteed Departure: Booking confirmed means guaranteed departure, worry-free travel in Yuncheng.

At the junction of the loess plateau of southern Shanxi and the fertile Central Plains🌄 On the ancient Wei Kingdom ruins north of Ruicheng County stands a palace that has traveled through 700 years of time—Yongle Palace🏯 🎨 Famous for its murals, this site is a nationally protected cultural relic. It has gained new life in the digital age thanks to its connection with the phenomenon-level game "Black Myth: Wukong"✨ Past and Present: ✅ Originally built as the "Lü Gong Temple" to commemorate the Taoist ancestor Lü Dongbin ✅ During the Mongol Yuan dynasty, when the Quanzhen Taoism flourished, it was elevated to "Great Pure Yang Longevity Palace" ✅ Alongside Zhongnan Mountain's Chongyang Palace and Beijing's Baiyun Temple, it is one of the three main ancestral temples of Quanzhen Taoism👑 ✅ Commonly called "Yongle Palace" because it is located in Yongle Town, the hometown of Lü Dongbin 🌟 Legendary Story: In the 1950s, due to the Three Gorges Hydroelectric Project, this architectural treasure underwent a rare event in world architectural history— ❗ It was entirely relocated brick by brick from its original site in Yongle Town to its current location, a remarkable feat in cultural heritage preservation👍 📍 Address: Yongle Town, Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province 🕰️ Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (may vary by season) 💰 Ticket Price: Approximately 60 RMB per person 🚗 Transportation: Recommended to drive or hire a car to visit

If the wind doesn't come 🌬, let's chase the wind! Embark on a journey to seek the wisdom and aesthetics of the ancients. Let's explore the ancient architectural heritage of Yuncheng together～✨ 📅Day1: 📍Guangrenwang Temple🏛→ 📍Yongle Palace🏯 📍Guangrenwang Temple - A treasure of Tang Dynasty wooden architecture, a living fossil witnessing history. It is not only a miracle of architecture but also a place of cultural heritage. 📍Yongle Palace - Built to commemorate Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals. The mural art is breathtaking, with every stroke filled with stories and vitality 🎨. 📅Day2: 📍Houtu Temple🏛→ 📍Wangrong Dongyue Temple - Feiyun Tower🏢→ 📍Wangrong Ji King Temple🏛 📍Houtu Temple - A place to worship the Earth Mother, feel the reverence for nature 🌱. 📍Feiyun Tower - The first wooden tower in China, every beam and column reveals the ingenuity and wisdom of craftsmen, the mortise and tenon structure is amazing 🧩. 📍Ji King Temple - A temple that carries farming culture, a holy place where people pray for a good harvest 🌾. 📅Day3: 📍Great Buddha Temple🏞→ 📍Xinjian County Jiangzhou Office Scenic Area🏛→ 📍Longxing Temple Longxing Tower-🏯 📍Great Buddha Temple - A Buddhist holy land in the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, the "world's first clay sculpture Buddha" is shocking 🙏. 📍Jiangzhou Office - An ancient government building, as if you can hear the echoes of history. 📍Longxing Tower - A mysterious tower full of legends, its stories are waiting for you to explore 🌌. 📅Day4: 📍Sima Wengong Temple🏛→ Jiezhuo 📍Guan Di Temple🏯 📍Sima Wengong Temple - A place to commemorate the great politician and historian Sima Guang, feel his spirit of integrity and honesty. 📍Guan Di Temple - As the crown of martial temples, it is not only grand in scale but also carries people's respect for the spirit of loyalty and righteousness 🛡. 📅Day5: 📍Yuncheng Museum🏛 📍Yuncheng Museum - A national first-class museum, taking you into the historical scroll of "east of the great river" 📖. 🍜Of course, how can we miss the food on the journey? Jiezhuo lamb soup 🐑, Yuncheng big plate chicken 🍗, Jiangzhou copper hot pot 🍲... every dish is a feast for the taste buds! 🍽 Yuncheng, an ancient yet vibrant city, is waiting for you to discover more stories and secrets! 🌟

Shanxi is the province with the most ancient architectural remains in China and is known as the "Treasure House of Ancient Chinese Architecture". Here are some famous ancient buildings in Shanxi: - Foguang Temple: Located in Foguang Village, Doucun Town, Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The East Hall in the temple is the second oldest existing wooden structure in China and was called the "First National Treasure of China" by Mr. Liang Sicheng. - Nanchan Temple: Located in Lijiazhuang Village, Yangbai Township, Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Tang Dynasty. The Great Buddha Hall in the temple is the oldest existing Tang Dynasty wooden structure in China. - Yingxian Wooden Pagoda: Located in Fogong Temple in the northwest of Yingxian County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Liao Dynasty. It is the tallest and oldest existing wooden pagoda-style building in China and is also one of the three wonders of the world. - Jinci: Located in Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, it was built to commemorate the founding princes of the Jin State, Tang Shuyu and his mother, Queen Jianghou. It is the earliest existing royal sacrificial garden in China. The Holy Mother Hall in the temple was built during the Northern Song Dynasty and is the best example of the "Construction Law". - Hanging Temple: Located at the foot of Hengshan Mountain in the southeastern suburbs of Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province, it was built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty. It is the only unique temple in China where Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are combined. The architectural style is unique and breathtaking. - Huayan Temple: Located at No. 459, Xiasiapo Street, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Liao Dynasty. The Great Buddha Hall in the temple is the largest existing Liao and Jin Dynasty Buddha Hall in China. It was praised as the "Oriental Venus" by the famous art historian Zheng Zhenduo. - Yongle Palace: Located at No. 78, Yongle North Street, Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Yuan Dynasty. It is the largest and best-preserved Taoist palace in China. The Sanqing Hall in the temple is China's "Abu Simbel", the best of the Yuan Dynasty murals. - Feiyun Tower: Located in Dongyue Temple, Wanrong County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Ming Zhengde period. It is the largest existing pure wooden structure building in China and is known as the "North Tower and South Tower" together with the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. - Guangsheng Temple: Located in Guangsheng Temple Town, Hongtong County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, it was built in the first year of Jianhe of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The Feihong Tower in the temple is the most complete and oldest existing glazed tower in China. - Xiaoxitian: Located on the top of Phoenix Mountain in the west of Xixian County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, it was built in the second year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty. The Great Buddha Hall in the temple is the largest existing Ming Dynasty hanging plastic group in China, known as the "Hanging Plastic Masterpiece".

Taking advantage of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, I chose nearby Yuncheng, Shanxi as my travel destination. Over two days, I visited some famous attractions. On the first day, I arrived at Yongji North Station around noon and took the tourist shuttle to Pujiu Temple. Although I've never read "The Romance of the Western Chamber," the saying "All temples avoid romance, except Pujiu in Shanxi" establishes its special status. For lunch, I tried Yingying Restaurant opposite the scenic area - their dumplings and marou soup are truly worth trying. In the afternoon, I continued by tourist shuttle to Stork Tower. The scenic area is small, with the tower itself being the main attraction. While visually impressive, it's unfortunate the original structure was destroyed long ago without even ruins remaining. In the evening, I took a high-speed train to Yuncheng North Station, then a bus to Galaxy Commercial Street for the famous Rock Fried Chicken. Be sure to find the original store in the alley - spicy but delicious, generous portions at reasonable prices, and don't miss the cold dishes at the entrance. After dinner, I checked into Lavande Hotel (Yuncheng Yongle Street High-Speed Rail Station Branch) where the front desk provided warm service and even offered local attraction postcards with stamps for collection. The next morning's hotel breakfast buffet offered wide variety and good taste. As the attractions were remote and scattered, I rented a car for my tour. First stop was Yuncheng Guan Gong's Hometown Cultural Tourism Area - my favorite site showcasing Guan Yu's life story and later generations' reverence, with exquisite architecture worth savoring. Next was Yongle Palace - don't miss the murals, cultural relics so precious the Japanese searched for seven years unsuccessfully, leaving me in awe of ancient artisans' skills. My third stop was Yuncheng Salt Lake, where I was lucky to see the giant Guan Yu statue en route. The salt lake is best appreciated via drone or with prior research on viewing spots - otherwise you might leave disappointed like us, though Salt Pond Avenue's No. 006 streetlight makes a great photo spot. For dinner, I tried local specialty Lamb Hubo, similar to lamb paomo but with shredded pancakes, offering rich flavor. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I missed Feiyun Tower in the city center and Wanrong County - a slight regret for next time.

Yuncheng is truly an underrated treasure city! 🌟 National Day holiday travel experience 100 points 💯~ Not many tourists, but just enough to join a guided tour. There are so many cultural relics and ancient buildings in the city that you can't see them all~ Traveling by chartered car is incredibly convenient 🚗 🎨【Tips for Viewing Ancient Buildings】🎨 For non-professionals, when viewing ancient buildings, focus on specific highlights: 👉Houtu Temple for the entire walnut wood carving 👉Yongle Palace for the stunning murals 👉Baitai Temple for the realistic style Arhats 🚩【3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary】🚩 DAY 1: Wanrong Ancient Building Extravaganza ·Houtu Temple (20 RMB/person) 📍Address: Wanrong County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province The worship place of Xuanyuan Huangdi (Yellow Emperor)! 🎎 Emperor Wu of Han wrote "Ode to Autumn Wind" here. ·Feiyun Tower (10 RMB/person) A 23-meter pure wooden structure with no iron nails! Each eave corner features a glazed immortal ✨ ·Qinglong Temple (30 RMB/person) The Yuan Dynasty murals from 600 years ago are absolutely stunning! 🎨 DAY 2: Ruicheng Cultural Journey ·Xiezhou Guandi Temple (60 RMB/person) Be sure to see the 300-jin Green Dragon Crescent Blade ⚔️ ·Yongle Palace (60 RMB/person) The murals are the ceiling (best of the best), definitely buy a cultural and creative calendar 📅 ·City God Temple (Free) It's right in the city center, so you can check it out along the way 🏛️ DAY 3: Xinjiang Cultural Relics Tour ·Baitai Temple (20 RMB/person) The skin texture of the Jin and Yuan Dynasty statues is incredibly realistic! ·Quanzhang Guandi Temple (Free) The coiled dragon pillars are super cool! 🐉 ·Fusheng Temple (20 RMB/person) See the most beautiful Guanyin Crossing the Sea 👑 🍽️【Food Tips】🍽️ Have breakfast at Donghu or Huanghe Morning Market in the morning 🌯 Huanghe Night Market for barbecue in the evening is amazing! 🍢 PS. Be sure to hire a guide or do your homework in advance! Luckily, there were enough people to join a guided tour this time 😂 Each building is incredibly unique, so you won't experience aesthetic fatigue at all~

Exploring Guanque Tower and Yongle Palace Yuncheng, Shanxi, a city steeped in history, is like a weighty tome with every page filled with stories. Today, let us embark on a unique travel route to experience the charm of Guanque Tower, Yongle Palace, Pujiu Temple, the Yellow River Iron Oxen, and Guangren King Temple. Guanque Tower: Majestic Elegance in Timeless Poetry Guanque Tower, one of China's four great historical cultural towers, stands on the eastern bank of the Yellow River in the ancient city of Puzhou, Yongji. Built during the Northern Zhou Dynasty by Yuwen Hu as a military watchtower, it was named after the storks that often perched there. In "Dream Pool Essays," Northern Song scholar Shen Kuo described it as "Three stories high, overlooking Zhongtiao Mountain and the Yellow River below." The famous poem "Climbing Guanque Tower" by Wang Zhihuan—"The sun sets behind the mountains, the Yellow River flows into the sea. To see a thousand miles further, climb another story higher"—brought it enduring fame. The original tower, which stood for over 700 years through the Tang and Song dynasties, was destroyed by war in the early Yuan Dynasty. The current Guanque Tower was reconstructed in 1997 and opened to the public in 2002. The rebuilt tower follows a Tang-style design, featuring four eaves and three external stories with six internal levels, standing 73.9 meters tall. Inside, it showcases Yellow River culture through reliefs, murals, and miniature landscapes. From the top, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Yellow River, evoking the grandeur and spirit of ancient times. Yongle Palace: A Brilliant Hall of Mural Art Originally named "Da Chunyang Wanshou Palace," Yongle Palace was built to honor Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals. Established in 1247 during the reign of Yuan Dingzong, it is the earliest, largest, and best-preserved Taoist temple in China, alongside Beijing's Baiyun Temple and Chongyang Palace in Hu County, Shaanxi. Originally located in Yongle Town, 20 kilometers southwest of Ruicheng County, the palace was relocated between 1957 and 1966 due to the construction of the Sanmenxia Reservoir, following instructions from Premier Zhou Enlai. Covering over 8,000 square meters, its central axis features ancient buildings such as the Mountain Gate, Dragon and Tiger Hall, Wuji Hall, Chunyang Hall, and Chongyang Hall. The most remarkable feature of Yongle Palace is its Yuan Dynasty murals, covering an area of 1,005.68 square meters. The "Chaoyuan Diagram" in Wuji Hall is particularly stunning, with its 402-square-meter depiction of lifelike figures arranged symmetrically, elegant colors, varied costumes, and grand scenes. Scholar Zheng Zhenduo praised it as "a large-scale display of Han palace grandeur and a collection of organized figure paintings." The narrative murals in Chunyang Hall and Chongyang Hall combine diverse scenes, offering valuable insights into the social life of the Tang, Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, making Yongle Palace a true artistic treasure. Pujiu Temple: A Romantic Sanctuary from "The Story of the Western Wing" Located 3 kilometers east of the ancient city of Puzhou in Yongji, Pujiu Temple is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and one of Shanxi's "Top Ten" scenic spots. This Buddhist temple is famous for the romantic tale in "The Story of the Western Wing," earning it the saying, "Temples across the land do not speak of love, except for Pujiu Temple in Shanxi." Every September and October, it hosts the "World Couples Month" event. The temple's Yingying Tower is particularly notable for its unique structure and exquisite craftsmanship, featuring a distinct echo effect. It is one of China's four major echoing buildings, alongside the Echo Wall of Beijing's Temple of Heaven, the Pagoda of Baolun Temple in Henan, and the "Stone Zither" of Dafu Temple in Tongnan County, Sichuan. The current Yingying Tower, rebuilt after an earthquake, stands 40 meters tall with a base length of 8.3 meters, designed as a square brick pagoda with dense eaves. Other structures, such as the Bell Tower and the tower courtyard corridors, also have their own charm, immersing visitors in the romantic story of Zhang Sheng and Yingying. Yellow River Iron Oxen: Tang Dynasty Wonders of River Control The Yellow River Iron Oxen are "river-controlling divine beasts" from the Tang Dynasty. Each iron ox weighs 60 tons, with intricate details like iron rings on their noses and lifelike pupils showcasing ancient craftsmanship. These iron oxen are located at the Pujindu Site, once a vital crossing point on the Yellow River. The site also houses artifacts like Kaiyuan Tongbao coins, reflecting its historical prosperity. Standing before the iron oxen, one can deeply appreciate the wisdom and strength of ancient laborers, as these oxen are not only witnesses to history but also outstanding examples of ancient engineering. Guangren King Temple: A Precious Relic of Tang Architecture Situated in Ruicheng County, Guangren King Temple is a Taoist temple from the Tang Dynasty and a fifth batch national key cultural relic protection unit. Though modest in scale, its architecture is simple yet elegant, retaining the characteristics of Tang-style buildings. The main hall, an original Tang structure, features a single-eave hip-and-gable roof with large dougong brackets and deep eaves, showcasing the grandeur and boldness of Tang architecture. At Guangren King Temple, visitors can closely experience the charm of Tang-style architecture and the passage of history. This travel route in Yuncheng offers a glimpse into historical and cultural relics from different periods and styles. Whether you're tracing the footsteps of ancient poets, admiring exquisite mural art, immersing yourself in romantic tales, or marveling at ancient engineering feats, you'll find it all here. Embark on this cultural journey and create unforgettable memories!

#chinatravel If you’re down for some seriously cool old-school vibes, Shanxi’s got you covered with spots like Haizhou Guandi Temple, Yongle Palace, Guangrenwang Temple, and the Feiyun Building. First up, Haizhou Guandi Temple (aka 解州关帝庙) is this huge, impressive place dedicated to the legendary General Guan. The wooden carvings and colorful roofs make you feel like you stepped into another era. Then there’s Yongle Palace (永乐宫), famous for its mind-blowing Yuan dynasty murals. These ancient paintings are so detailed and vibrant, you can’t help but stare for ages. Guangrenwang Temple (广仁王庙) shows off wooden structures from the Tang dynasty that still stand strong, talk about craftsmanship that lasts centuries! And don’t miss the Feiyun Building, which is packed with classic vibes and cool details everywhere you look. All these spots in Shanxi are perfect for a chill day of exploring history, snapping pics, and just soaking up some epic old-school Chinese architecture.