2025 Ruicheng Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

After visiting the murals at Yongle Palace in Ruicheng, Shanxi, I've now completed the collection of China's three great murals. The other two are the Mogao Caves murals in Dunhuang, Gansu, and the Pilu Temple murals in Shijiazhuang, Hebei. During the May Day holiday, Yongle Palace saw more visitors than usual, but the crowds weren't overwhelming. In fact, I think having more visitors is a good thing because photography isn't allowed inside the main halls, and security is very strict. With more people around, you can sneak a few photos. Among the three main halls, the Wuji Hall had the most visitors, making it easier to discreetly take some pictures. The Chongyang Hall and Chunyang Hall had fewer visitors, so that wasn't an option. The water-and-land murals in the Wuji Hall are truly spectacular, with smooth and fluid brushstrokes. Although I have a high-definition album of Yongle Palace murals at home, it's nowhere near the visual impact of the original artwork. In my opinion, among the three great murals, the Wuji Hall murals at Yongle Palace are the largest in scale and the most awe-inspiring. This kind of beauty can only be fully appreciated in person. [Cute] Yongle Palace is a Taoist temple built in honor of Lü Dongbin. Its 1,000-square-meter Yuan Dynasty murals are among the world's treasured ancient mural art collections and one of China's first national key cultural relics protection units. Yongle Palace preserves four exquisitely crafted Yuan Dynasty wooden structures, with 1,000 square meters of Yuan Dynasty murals housed in the Dragon and Tiger Hall, Sanqing Hall, Chunyang Hall, and Chongyang Hall. Yongle Palace is a surviving masterpiece of Yuan Dynasty architecture, the largest Taoist temple in China, a model of ancient Chinese painting art, and one of the world's largest existing ancient mural art treasures. The *Court of the Celestial Realm* in the Sanqing Hall represents the pinnacle of group portrait composition in the history of world painting, a rare monumental work and a national treasure. The mural features 289 figures arranged in symmetrical ceremonial formations, with the Green Dragon and White Tiger deities on the south wall as the vanguard, followed by 28 main deities, including the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother of the West. Surrounding them are the 28 Lunar Mansions, 12 Zodiac signs, and other celestial generals, unfolding across the mural. The warriors are brave and fierce, the guardians powerful and bold, and the jade maidens stand with heavenly grace. The entire composition is majestic in scale, with richly varied clothing and exquisitely flowing lines. [Awesome]

[Rose] In southern Shanxi, the winding Yellow River is like a flexible ribbon, winding and turning into the most gentle arc. In the gentle embrace of the Yellow River, a pavilion stands steadily, as if it had floated out of a poem or painting. When the steel jungle of modern society spreads like a tide and gradually swallows up the end of the horizon, this Tang-style building, proudly named after the stork, still stands firm on the loess plateau, maintaining its persistent gaze, like a watcher spanning thousands of years, turning the myriad emotions of the ancients who came here thousands of years ago into a touch of bright moonlight that never dissipates, sprinkling it in the hearts of everyone who comes to explore it. [Rose] Epic Scroll of Wood Structure [Rose] Each upright pillar is like a thick history book written vertically, quietly telling the story of the years. The rebuilt Stork Tower, with its majestic height of 73.9 meters, resolutely pierces the clouds, as if it wants to have a dialogue with the sky. The seven-layered eaves, stacked like wrinkles of time, hide the iron-blooded genes of the Northern Zhou Dynasty's guard towers, which are traces left by the turbulent years of war; they also hide the beautiful soul of the poetry of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, which was a romantic time when the talents of literati and poets burst out and poetry flowed. When you gently touch the dark brown mortise and tenon structure, your fingertips seem to be able to truly touch the exciting power of the trembling swords when Yuwen Hu built the city, and feel the rustling wind brought up by Wang Zhihuan's sleeves when he wrote. At the corner of the pavilion, a copper bell is hanging, swaying gently in the breeze. The clear sound of the bell seems to have traveled through the tunnel of time and space, and the majestic and powerful calls of the boatmen at the Yellow River ferry during the Kaiyuan period can still be heard today. The sounds are so pleasant to the ears that one feels as if they are at that bustling ancient ferry. [Rose] The Poetic Grammar of Mountains and Rivers [Rose] The undulating wrinkles of Zhongtiao Mountain are like rice paper that the earth has never had time to smooth out, carrying the vicissitudes and stories of the years. The surging Yellow River is freely writing its own cursive poems on the west side of the Stork Tower. Every day, many photographers bring their tripods and line up neatly on the four-story platform, waiting for the sunset with great anticipation. When the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the river, the entire river surface seems to be melted into liquid bronze, shining with golden light, which is magnificent. Five kilometers to the southeast, the Puzhindu Iron Ox stands quietly, and its mottled rust seems to hide countless unknown secrets. Once upon a time, they used their strong bodies to hold tight the floating bridge across the Yellow River, and witnessed countless Western merchant caravans with jingling camel bells passing by here in a hurry, embarking on the Silk Road full of unknowns and hopes. Today, they and the Guanjue Tower face each other from a distance, as if two old friends across time and space, together forming an important anchor point of the longitude and latitude of time and space, connecting the past and the present. [Rose] Poetic Dream Development [Rose] In the special exhibition of "Romance of the West Chamber" on the third floor, there seems to be a mysterious code of time and space hidden. The courtyard of Puji Temple, full of pear blossoms, is only seven miles away from here. The lingering love narrative in Yuan Zhen's works and the profound philosophical gaze in Wang Zhihuan's poems are wonderfully intertwined here, forming a strange and charming montage effect that makes people intoxicated. It is recommended to climb to the top of the Stork Tower at the time of Shen. At this time, dusk is slowly falling, and it is like a magical painter, outlining the ancient city wall of Puzhou, Kaiyuan Iron Ox, and Wulao Peak into an amber time capsule one by one. At this moment, all photographic equipment seems redundant, because only our pupils can truly contain this flowing epic beauty and let that gorgeous scene be engraved forever in the depths of our hearts. [Rose] A thoughtful guide to pilgrimage [Rose] If you also want to have an encounter with the Guanque Tower, you might as well take the high-speed rail to Yongji North Station and then transfer to the "Poetry Road Special Line" bus. In the scenery along the way, you can also appreciate the vast expanse of wheat waves and feel the vitality of nature. The afternoon of the Autumnal Equinox is a special moment, when the shadow of the building forms a perfect diagonal with the Puzhindu Ruins, creating a unique and wonderful picture. When you climb to the top observation deck, you can also see the "poetic telescope" there. Just scan the code, and the poems of literati and poets of all ages will float between the rivers and mountains, as if traveling through time and space to have a spiritual dialogue with the ancients. On the way back home, you may want to detour around the ancient city of Puzhou, and beside the collapsed city gate, listen quietly to the evening breeze and recite "He Yue Yingling Ji". Let the melodious wind and ancient poems draw a perfect end to your journey. [Rose] While modern elevators have gradually replaced the old wooden stairs, the obsession of "seeing from a thousand miles away" still runs hotly in our blood. This pavilion, which has been carefully resurrected in the 21st century, is by no means a simple concrete antique decoration. The sound of each climber's footsteps climbing the stairs seems like a beating note, completing a rhythmic antithesis that spans a thousand years, continuing the never-ending legendary poem of the Stork Tower.

After touring the Yongle Palace, the guide's explanation also included a visit to the Guangrenwang Temple and the City God Temple. The Guangrenwang Temple was originally built in 831 AD (the fifth year of the Taihe period of the Tang Dynasty). Facing south, it covers an area of 4,560 square meters. The temple includes a stage, side rooms, and a main hall, all enclosed within walls in a courtyard layout. The stage is three rooms wide and three rafters deep. The brackets on the column heads are simple in design. The central bracket features a dragon head emerging from the large bracket opening, with elephant trunks on either side. The brackets on the two adjacent rooms also have dragon heads emerging from the openings. The Guangrenwang Temple is small. Currently, only three Tang Dynasty wooden structures remain, all located in Shanxi Province. The Guangrenwang Temple is one of them, representing Tang Dynasty wooden architecture preserved to the present day. The Vanke Group generously funded seven million yuan to design and construct the surrounding area, adding historical exhibitions and intuitive models of the bracket structures. The enhanced surroundings make the Guangrenwang Temple even more appealing to modern young people. The Guangrenwang Temple is also known as the Five Dragon King Temple, dedicated to the Azure Dragon King. You can see iron nails on the outer walls, each shaped like a shrimp soldier or crab general, guarding and protecting their deity, similar to the crane-shaped nails at the Yongle Palace. The City God Temple, commonly known as the "South Temple," was built during the Dazhong Xiangfu period of the Song Dynasty (1008-1016). Its architecture epitomizes ancient Chinese architectural styles, showcasing grandeur, simplicity, and elegance, making it highly valuable for sightseeing. Here, you can appreciate the bold and unrestrained style of Yuan Dynasty architecture, the delicate beauty and decorative artistry of Song Dynasty architecture, the simple and powerful style of Ming Dynasty architecture, and the elaborate and ornate style of Qing Dynasty architecture. The murals in the City God Temple are also exquisite. The Four Heavenly Kings are depicted in dynamic poses, with flowing robes and powerful movements. The temple houses numerous stone inscriptions, including different versions of the Lanting Xu, which served as a key element in promoting moral education. The stone lions here are particularly elegant, reminiscent of Yuan Dynasty sculptures. I didn't have time to examine them closely, as I was quite hungry. Every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the City God undergoes a ritual bathing and dressing ceremony before being paraded through the streets to bless the local people. This is a customary activity for the locals during the Lantern Festival.

| A Stunning Journey. From Taiyuan to Yuncheng | A Stunning Journey💕 Hey everyone👋, I've always been captivated by the ancient charm and modern vibe of Taiyuan, thinking it was the epitome of Shanxi's beauty. But when I set foot on Yuncheng, I realized Shanxi's beauty has another side, each frame captivating😍. 🌆City Impression: A Blend of History and Everyday Life Upon arriving in Yuncheng, the old town's streets felt like a time machine. Narrow alleys and ancient walls, weathered and worn, tell stories of millennia. Unlike Taiyuan's bustling skyscrapers, Yuncheng has a down-to-earth vibrancy. Street-side stalls with steaming local snacks, owners speaking in the local dialect, warmly greeting every passerby. This lively atmosphere instantly warmed my heart, taking me back to the familiar streets of my childhood. 🏞️Natural Beauty: A Masterpiece of Mountains and Rivers Yuncheng's natural scenery is a treasure trove. The murals of the Yongle Palace are renowned, but standing before them, the artistic impact is far beyond imagination. The painted deities seem ready to step out of the wall, their colors still vibrant after centuries. Compared to the painted sculptures of Jin Temple in Taiyuan, one painted, one sculpted, one ethereal, one solemn, each has its own unique charm. Then there's the Salt Lake, its palette-like surface shimmering under the sun. The wind creates ripples, and the salt crystals resemble winter frost, more unique than any waterscape I've seen in Taiyuan. Walking along the lake feels like stepping into a dream. 🍱A Culinary Feast: A Party for the Taste Buds Yuncheng also surprised me with its cuisine. Taiyuan is famous for its noodles, but Yuncheng's steamed buns are unique. Yuncheng baked buns, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, filled with braised meat and vegetables. One bite, and the flavors of wheat, meat, and vegetables blend perfectly, instantly surpassing ordinary fast food. And the Jiezhou mutton soup, with its rich broth and tender meat, paired with smooth vermicelli, warms you from the inside out. Compared to the rich and nourishing Taiyuan Tounao, it's a completely different but equally enticing flavor that I, a "foodie," couldn't resist. 🎉Yuncheng, you're like a book I can't put down, filled with both profound history and vibrant daily life. Coming from Taiyuan, I'm completely captivated. If you want to explore a different side of Shanxi's beauty, promise me you'll visit Yuncheng. It will surely exceed your expectations.

[Awesome] The Xihoudu site is the oldest Paleolithic site in China and also the earliest evidence of human use of fire in China. [Awesome] The Xihoudu site was discovered on an ancient terrace about 170 meters above the river level on the left bank of the middle reaches of the Yellow River. Cultural relics and animal fossils are concentrated in interlaced sand layers with an average thickness of about 1 meter. The animal fossils are mainly mammals, including giant beavers, saber-toothed elephants, flat-fronted elephants, and Bo's gazelles. Most of them are grassland animals, and there are also animals adapted to living in grasslands and forests, indicating that the Xihoudu area was a sparse forest-steppe environment at that time. [Chin] Game guide The Xihoudu ruins are not big and the ticket price is 30 yuan per person. There is a small museum on each side of the entrance, you can go and have a look. [Clapping] is a relatively small place, and most tourists come here to take photos. The general environment is khaki, and the photos taken make you feel like you are in Egypt. Friends who come to visit can bring beautiful clothes! [Clapping] The only place to eat nearby is Fenglingdu Town. There is a restaurant with big bowls of knife-cut noodles that I recommend. They taste very good.

In late autumn, when you walk into Yuncheng, the autumn colors and ancient buildings all over the city interweave to create a poetic picture. At dawn, I stepped into the Guandi Temple in Jiezhou. Between the red walls and black tiles, the statue of Guandi sat majestically, and the pine and cypress trees all over the hall added to the solemn and dignified atmosphere. Stroll to the Guangrenwang Temple, which stands quietly in the mountains, with golden ginkgo trees all over the courtyard and the thousand-year-old incense still lingering. When you come to Yongle Palace, the colors of the murals are still bright. The Taoist spirit has been flowing here for 800 years. The Taoist charm in the palace is so profound that people will stop and linger. Climb up the Feiyun Tower, feel the autumn breeze, and look into the distance to get a panoramic view of the outline of the ancient city. From the Stork Tower, the Yellow River meanders like a silk ribbon. At the Jiwang Temple, this ancient temple dedicated to the ancestor of farming appears peaceful and solemn in the autumn sun, and the weight of history is overwhelming. As the sun sets and the autumn breeze blows gently, Yuncheng's ancient charm blends with the autumn atmosphere, making people feel awe and recall the past and think about the present, which is unforgettable.

Family, this Yuncheng trip was so enjoyable, all thanks to this hotel! I have to recommend it to you all! 📍Amazing Location It's right in the bustling downtown area, surrounded by tons of great food. Just a short walk away, you can find authentic Dapanji (Big Plate Chicken), Yang Rou Pao Mo (mutton stew with bread), a carb lover's dream come true. It's also very close to attractions like the Jiezhou Guandi Temple and Yongle Palace, just a short taxi ride away, saving you time so you can visit more places. 🛏Super Comfortable Rooms The rooms are simple yet cozy, with soft, skin-friendly bedding that feels like lying on a cloud. The bathroom has a separate shower and the amenities are top-notch. The room has a fantastic view of Yuncheng's beautiful cityscape. In the morning, opening the curtains and letting the sunshine in is so relaxing. 💁‍♂️Excellent Service From the warm welcome at check-in to the helpful staff who assisted with planning our itinerary, everyone was incredibly patient. They also offer free luggage storage, so you can continue exploring even after checking out.

"I stepped into the Yongle Palace, and my mind was rippling among the murals." - This poem expresses that after the poet stepped into the Yongle Palace, he was deeply attracted by the exquisite murals, and his mind seemed to be rippling in the ocean of art. [Clapping] The murals of Yongle Palace are masterpieces of ancient Chinese murals. Located in Ruicheng, Shanxi Province, the Yongle Palace (also known as the Great Chunyang Wanshou Palace) has the highest artistic value in terms of its exquisite large-scale murals. It is not only an important masterpiece in the history of Chinese painting, but also a rare masterpiece in the history of world painting. The murals in Yongle Palace are a treasure of ancient Chinese painting art. [Clapping] The most famous mural, "Zhao Yuan Tu", was created by Ma Qi, the son of Ma Junxiang in the Yuan Dynasty, and others. The "Chao Yuan Tu" mural in the Sanqing Hall was painted by Ma Junxiang and others in the third year of Taiding (1325). It depicts the story of the gods paying homage to Yuanshi Tianzun. It is centered on the eight main statues of emperors and empresses, surrounded by 286 statues of golden boys, jade girls, stars, and strong men. The scene is broad and magnificent. The lines in the painting are round, powerful, bold and free, with a solid brushstroke and tight joints. The clothes, utensils and clouds of various textures are drawn without any sluggishness. The brushstrokes are done in one go, and there is no trace of starting or ending when the brush is hidden or turned. It shows the high achievement of traditional pure drawing art. It has become one of the must-copy models for learning traditional Chinese figure painting. [Clapping] Travel Tips 1. Be sure to hire a guide, it is really worth it, otherwise you won’t understand anything. The guide ticket is also purchased at the entrance for 80 yuan. 2. You are not allowed to take photos of the murals. In addition to the murals, the caisson in the Sanqing Hall is also very beautiful, so don't miss it.

Shanxi is known for its historical relics, and Yuncheng boasts "big names" like Yongle Palace and Guan Di Temple. But beyond these ancient structures, the Yuncheng Museum is also worth a visit 👀. The Yuncheng Museum houses a rich collection that vividly showcases Yuncheng's long history and profound cultural heritage. The museum also features a special exhibition on Hedong culture, offering an in-depth interpretation of the region's historical and cultural characteristics, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the area. Visiting the Yuncheng Museum not only allows you to admire a wealth of artifacts but also to experience the charm of history more directly through modern technology such as multimedia interactive devices and VR experiences. 💁🏻‍♀️P.S. There are also tons of free, beautiful stamps to collect. Remember to bring a notebook, or you can buy one at the gift shop ✌️. ▫️▫️▫️▫️ ⓘ ⓝ ⓕ ⓞ ▫️▫️▫️▫️ 🧩Name: Yuncheng Museum 📍Address: No. 1080 Weifeng Street, Yanhu District, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province 🈺️Hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, closed on Mondays

The Guandi Temple in Jiezhou, Yuncheng, is located to the north of the Salt Lake and faces the Zhongtiao Mountains. Founded in 589 AD, the ninth year of the Kaihuang reign of the Sui Dynasty, it is the largest existing palace-style Taoist building complex and martial arts temple, and is known as the "ancestor of Guan temples" and the "crown of martial arts temples." Guandi Temple is very big, with many attractions👀 👉Must-see contents include ✅ Qianlong's "Divine Bravery" ✅ Meridian Gate: a building with a hip roof, usually only the imperial palace has a Meridian Gate ✅ Bagua Caisson: carved with two dragons playing with a pearl, in the Imperial Library ✅ Chrysanthemum Caisson: the only one in the country, in the Spring and Autumn Building ✅ The only real statue of Guan Erye, on the second floor of the Spring and Autumn Building ps. It costs an additional 30 yuan to climb to the second floor of the Spring and Autumn Building. Cold light flashlights, amulets, and shoe covers will be distributed on site, which can be taken back. ▫️▫️▫️▫️ ⓘ ⓝ ⓕ ⓞ ▫️▫️▫️▫️ 🧩Name: Jiezhou Guandi Temple 📍Address: No. 145, Wuyi Road, Jiezhou Town, Yuncheng, Shanxi 🈺️Time: 08:00-18:00 (peak season 4/1-10/31) 09:00-17:00 (off-season 11/1-3/31) 💰Tickets: 60 yuan in peak season, 50 yuan in off-season

Located on Woyungang on the north bank of the Salt Lake, Chi God Temple in Yuncheng is backed by the Zhongtiao Mountains and overlooks the "Dead Sea of China." It is the only imperial temple in China dedicated to the god of the salt lake.​ Originally built in the Tang Dynasty, it was granted imperial seals and renovated by successive emperors due to the flourishing salt industry. The existing three main halls, Zouyan Tower, and other buildings are mostly relics of the Ming Dynasty, with 1,300 years of salt transportation history precipitated among the blue bricks and black tiles.​ 
The three main halls stand side by side in the temple. The middle hall enshrines the salt god "Lingqing Gong," while the left and right halls enshrine the sun god and the wind god, respectively, implicitly reflecting the natural wisdom that salt production requires "sunlight evaporation and wind regulation."​ The stone lions in front of the hall are naive and cute, and the carvings on the railings tell the story of the rise and fall of salt merchants. 
Climb the Haiguang Tower for a panoramic view of the salt lake👍.
The stele forest houses the Ming Dynasty stone inscription "Map of Hedong Salt Lake." You can also visit the Hedong Salt Lake Museum to unlock 4,000 years of salt-making technology.​ ▫️▫️▫️▫️ ⓘ ⓝ ⓕ ⓞ ▫️▫️▫️▫️ 🈺️Hours: 8:30am–5:30pm 🚇Transportation: Navigate to "Chi God Temple" by car, or take bus No. 21/88 to "Chi God Temple" station🚌 🎫Tickets: Free with a tourism annual pass🆓; currently half price during the off-season. Combined ticket for Chi God Temple + Chi Salt Museum + City Wall: CNY 39.9 for adults, CNY 19.9 for students

​[Fu] Guangrenwang Temple is one of the four existing Tang Dynasty wooden structures in China. The other three are Nanchan Temple, Foguang Temple, and the bell tower of Zhengding Kaiyuan Temple. It was built in 831, the fifth year of the Tang Dynasty's Dahe period. It enshrines the water god Guangrenwang and is also known as the Five Dragons Temple. ​🇨🇳Experience the five thousand years of China and inherit Chinese civilization.

Yuncheng | A Must-Visit: Yongle Palace Yongle Palace, an artistic treasure trove hidden in Yuncheng, Shanxi, is renowned for its world-famous Yuan Dynasty murals and ancient architectural style, attracting countless art and history enthusiasts. It is a sacred site of Taoist culture and a pinnacle of ancient Chinese mural art. 🌟 Stunning Murals 💁🏻‍♀️ Sanqing Hall Murals: The treasure of Yongle Palace, these murals depict a grand scene of nearly 300 Taoist deities paying homage to the Yuan. The characters have diverse expressions, their robes fluttering, and the colors remain vibrant even after a thousand years, making it a pinnacle of Yuan Dynasty mural art. 💁🏻‍♀️ Chunyang Hall Murals: The murals, themed around the life story of Lü Dongbin, use a comic strip format to depict the legend of "Lü Zu's Manifestation." The style is delicate, and the story is vivid, resembling ancient comic strips. 💁🏻‍♀️ Chongyang Hall Murals: These murals depict the missionary experiences of Wang Chongyang, the founder of the Quanzhen School. The murals are rich in content and exquisite in detail, showcasing the superb skills of Yuan Dynasty painters. The architectural layout of Yongle Palace is rigorous, with upturned eaves and carved beams, showcasing the unique style of Yuan Dynasty architecture, especially the glazed tiles on the roof, which shine brilliantly in the sunlight.

If you are interested in historical culture and art treasures, Yongle Palace in Yuncheng is a must-see place✨! 👀Admire the beauty of architecture Yongle Palace is a typical Yuan dynasty architectural style, with a spacious layout and magnificent momentum. The palace gate, Wuji Gate, Sanqing Hall, Chunyang Hall, and Chongyang Hall are arranged along the central axis in an orderly manner, and the simple and elegant appearance of the buildings shows the charm of time. 👀Enjoy the mural feast This is the essence of Yongle Palace👍. The "Chaoyuan Tu" in Sanqing Hall, with a total area of more than 400 square meters, depicts a grand scene of nearly 300 gods worshiping Yuanshi Tianzun. The murals in Chunyang Hall and Chongyang Hall are also wonderful. 👀Appreciate the cultural heritage As a Taoist holy place, Yongle Palace contains profound Taoist culture. Here, you can learn about the development history of Taoism, the system of gods, and related religious rituals and cultural connotations. ⚠️Notes for visiting: 1. Photography is strictly prohibited in the three halls📷, but there is a painting room with printed versions of Yongle Palace, where you can take a "substitute" photo😁. 2. Visitors need to wear shoe covers👢 when entering the halls to keep the floor clean and tidy and prevent damage to the floor.

Yuncheng is truly a treasure trove of a city, worthy of being the first city of national treasures. You can't see it all in one visit. You have to take your time to savor the details left behind by our ancestors. I went for two days this time and only visited Jishan, Wanrong, Ruicheng, and Jiezhou, leaving the other places for another time. ✅3-day, 2-night itinerary Day 1 Yuncheng Airport ➡️ Wanrong Feiyun Tower ➡️ Houtu Temple ➡️ Qiufeng Tower ➡️ Beixin Relic Pagoda ➡️ Li Family Courtyard ➡️ Yuncheng City Day 2 Yuncheng ➡️ Yongle Palace ➡️ Guangrenwang Temple ➡️ Ruicheng City God Temple ➡️ Yuncheng Day 3 Yuncheng ➡️ Jiezhou Guan Yu Temple ➡️ Chi God Temple ➡️ Yuncheng Museum ➡️ Yuncheng Airport The cultural relics in Yuncheng are a bit far apart, so if you're short on time, driving is the most convenient option. Picking up and returning a car at the airport is relatively convenient. There are now flights to Yuncheng from all over the country, and the tickets are not expensive. I highly recommend everyone to go and see it. Every ancient building is beautiful, and each one leaves you wanting more. I'll share a detailed guide for each spot later.

|Guangrenwang Temple, Forgotten by Time. Let me share a hidden gem in Shanxi that is both niche and charming—Guangrenwang Temple. 🌟 Highlights: 1. The beauty of Tang Dynasty architecture: Guangrenwang Temple is one of only four remaining wooden structures from the Tang Dynasty in China. The architectural style is simple and grand, with large dougong brackets and deep eaves. Every detail exudes the unique charm of Tang Dynasty architecture, as if transporting you back to the prosperous Tang era. 2. Historical and cultural heritage: The temple houses precious stone tablets from the Tang Dynasty, recording the history of the temple's construction. Through these inscriptions, you can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural background of that time. 3. Tranquil atmosphere: This place is relatively niche, with few tourists and no hustle and bustle. Strolling through the temple, you can quietly feel the weight of history and enjoy a rare moment of tranquility and leisure. 📍 Address: Located within the ancient Wei City wall ruins, 4 km north of Ruicheng County, Shanxi Province. 🚗 Transportation: If you choose public transportation, you can first reach Ruicheng County and then take a taxi to Guangrenwang Temple. Self-driving is more recommended, as navigation is accurate, and there are parking spaces nearby, making it convenient and free.

| Guangrenwang Temple, a Hidden Ancient Building. If you are interested in ancient buildings, you must visit Guangrenwang Temple in Yuncheng! This low-key but extremely precious Tang Dynasty building hides the secrets of time. 📍 Address: Located in the ruins of the ancient Wei city wall, 4 km north of Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province. 🚗 Transportation: If you are driving, just navigate to "Guangrenwang Temple" directly, there is a parking lot nearby. If you are taking public transportation, you can go to Ruicheng County first, and then take a taxi. The distance from the county to Guangrenwang Temple is short, and it is also very convenient to take a taxi. 🕙 Opening hours: 09:00-17:00 🎫 Tickets: Free 🌟 Highlights: ✅ Tang Dynasty style: Guangrenwang Temple is one of the only four remaining wooden buildings of the Tang Dynasty in China. The main hall is simple and unadorned, with large brackets and deep eaves, full of Tang Dynasty architectural style, as if traveling back to a thousand years ago. ✅ Architectural details: The beam structure, door and window decorations of the main hall have a unique charm, and the carvings on the building are still exquisite despite the passage of time. ✅ Surrounding environment: The environment around the temple is quiet, and the historical atmosphere of the ancient Wei city ruins is strong, allowing you to feel the precipitation of history.

😜 Guys, the Yongle Palace is amazing! It was originally called the Great Chunyang Longevity Palace and is one of the first national key cultural relics protection units in China! 😲 It was built in 1247 AD and has a long history. From 1959 to 1965, the original Yongle Palace was moved from Yongle Town to the site of the ancient capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty, 2 km north of the county seat, for preservation. In addition to the famous murals, the architecture and stone carvings are also worth seeing, and the dragons next to the dougong are very distinctive! 🤩

Fu Shuo Sage Temple is located on a hill in the northeast of the county. To the north, you can overlook the remaining veins of Zhongtiao, and to the south, you can overlook the entire county, the Yellow River, and the Sanmen Gorge on the other side. Fengkou Mountain National Forest Health Base is located next to the 10,000-acre Pinus tabulaeformis forest in Fengkou Village, Zhangdian Town. There are large campsites among the jungle at the base. Standing on the observation deck next to the wind turbine, you can overlook the scenery of Yuncheng Salt Lake. It was rainy when we went, but it will definitely look particularly beautiful on a sunny day. You can also go to the nearby mountain along the wooden plank road, but because of the rain, the plank road was slippery, so I didn't go there. 🚗When going there, go to Zhongtiao Mountain in Buguan Town, and then follow the road on the top of the mountain to "Fengkou Liangdu". The return trip from Zhangdian takes the expressway, and the toll is 8 yuan.

📍Address: Yongle North Street, Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province 🎫Ticket: CNY 45/person 🖼️Must-see highlights [1] Exterior: The structure of Yongle Palace, from the outermost gate to the three halls inside, is very exquisite. Those who understand architecture can take a closer look. The stone lions in front of the Wuji Hall are especially cute. [2] Mural treasures: When it comes to Yongle Palace, the most famous thing is the murals. The "Chaoyuan Tu" in the Sanqing Hall is magnificent, and the characters are vivid and lifelike. It is so delicate. It can immerse people in it and feel the charm of the intertwining of art and religion. There are murals in all three halls, and they are all very interesting. [3] Palace architecture: The architectural style of Yongle Palace is unique, with flying eaves, dougong brackets, carved beams, and painted rafters, showing the grandeur of Yuan Dynasty architecture. One of the main features of Yuan Dynasty architecture is its simplicity and grandeur. The red walls and green trees complement each other, and the simple and elegant atmosphere is overwhelming. You can take great photos with just a snap. [4] Historical stories: There are also wonderful stories here, such as Lü Dongbin's practice, and the country's efforts to protect cultural relics. A series of stone tablets next to it are engraved with various stories (the text on the stone tablets is printed on the back, but there are still many words that are difficult to identify). 📸Notes: [1] It is strictly forbidden to take photos of the murals in the three halls, even with a mobile phone! [2] In order to avoid damage to the murals by light, only natural light sources are used in the halls. It is recommended to visit on a sunny day for a clearer view. [3] You need to wear shoe covers to enter. There are free ones available at the entrance of the scenic area. [4] The cultural threshold of the scenic area is relatively high. It is recommended to hire a tour guide to listen to the explanation, which is definitely cost-effective. [5] Guangrenwang Temple is nearby, so it is very convenient to visit both. Yongle Palace is really a place full of historical and artistic charm. Whether you are a culture lover or an art enthusiast, you can find your own fun here. You must come and experience the shock and beauty that transcends time and space!

Many people come to Ruicheng for Yongle Palace, but there is an inconspicuous but very important ancient building hidden 2 km away from Yongle Palace - Guangrenwang Temple. When it comes to wooden buildings from the Tang Dynasty, there are only three and a half left in China. The oldest is the Main Hall of Nanchan Temple on Mount Wutai, the Main Hall of Foguang Temple, which Lin Huiyin and Liang Sicheng found after traveling all over the country to refute the Japanese claim that "wooden buildings from the Tang Dynasty can only be seen in Japan," and Guangrenwang Temple, which we are going to visit today. Guangrenwang Temple stands quietly in a corner of the village, which corresponds to its identity as a Taoist temple dedicated to the Dragon King for rain in ancient times, also known as Wulong Temple. Perhaps it was this ordinary identity and inconspicuous location that allowed this Tang building to escape the war and disaster and stand for thousands of years. Guangrenwang Temple is not big, and it has recently started charging an entrance fee of CNY 15 per person. If you come to Yuncheng, it is recommended to buy a Black Myth attraction package or a travel annual card, which is more cost-effective. At first glance, Guangrenwang Temple may seem ordinary, but its beams and brackets are actually real Tang Dynasty creations, and it is precisely because of their exquisite craftsmanship that they reflect the ancient people's superb skills in architecture. Guangrenwang Temple has now been expanded into a small park. In addition to the temple and the stage, many walls have been added, with many introductions to ancient building history and brackets, greatly increasing its appeal. So after visiting Yongle Palace, why not spend some time to take a good look at this Guangrenwang Temple that has stood for thousands of years.

[WorldMap] Yuncheng, Shanxi Province is a perfect place to showcase the beauty of ancient buildings in Shanxi and even China. It has 102 nationally protected cultural relics! No. 1 in the country! [One] Yuncheng holiday 5-day travel route: D1 Yuncheng: Yuncheng Museum - Jiezhou Guandi Temple - Changping Guandi Temple - Chishen Temple D2 Ruicheng: Yongle Palace - Guangrenwang Temple - Ruicheng City God Temple D3 Wanrong: Feiyun Tower - Jiwang Temple - Houtu Temple - Li Family Courtyard D4 Xinxiang: Longxing Temple - Jiangzhou Office - Fusheng Temple - Jiyi Temple D5 Jishan: Macun Brick Carvings - Qinglong Temple [Two] 8 tips for traveling in Yuncheng: ❶ Go to Yuncheng Museum first to preview. There are 1:1 scale murals of Yongle Palace and Jiyi Temple. You can take pictures at will. ❷ In the Tang Dynasty, the salt pond god was named Lingqing Gong. The 100 square kilometers of salt pond were once enclosed by a wall, and only 30 kilometers of it remain today. ❸Jiezhou Guandi Temple is the earliest and largest Guandi temple complex in my country. It was built according to the imperial regulations. Don't miss the chrysanthemum caisson in Chunqiu Building. ❹The Yongle Palace was built over a century ago. It is a model of official construction in the Yuan Dynasty. The mural "Zhao Yuan Tu" is a rare treasure, and its technique can be traced back to Wu Daozi. ❺The Guangrenwang Temple, one of the three Tang Dynasty structures, is near the Yongle Palace, and its surrounding area is a popular site for ancient buildings. ❻The Hou Tu in Huang Tian Hou Tu is the goddess Hou Tu worshipped here. The emperors of Han, Tang and Song dynasties all came to worship in person. In the Yuan Dynasty, sacrifices were moved to the Temple of Earth in Beijing. ❼ Feiyun Tower has as many as 345 sets of brackets, like countless blooming flowers, and is an outstanding example of Chinese wooden pavilion architecture. ❽If you still have time: you can go north to Taiyuan and then to Datong [Three] Transportation: Self-driving is more suitable in Shanxi. But in recent years, public transportation has become increasingly powerful. Most of the scenic spots in Yuncheng can be reached by the "Yuncheng City View Pass", and the ticket is extremely cheap, only 3 yuan, but you must make an appointment in advance [Four] Food: Yuncheng big plate chicken is popular. There are several restaurants that serve Afanti Big Plate Chicken and Xiaoshulin Big Plate Chicken that you can try. Xiezhou Wangjian mutton soup is a must-try, and the mutton soup and pancake specialties are all delicious! [Five] Accommodation: You can visit all the scenic spots on the same day. It is better to stay in Yuncheng as the conditions there are the best and it is not expensive.

Yongle Palace covers an area of ​​248,000 square meters It is a Taoist temple built to worship Lü Dongbin🏯 It is not only the largest and most intact Taoist temple in China. It is also one of the three ancestral temples of Quanzhen Taoism. Inside the Yongle Palace The palace is grand in scale and spacious in layout Except for the mountain gate The 500-meter-long central axis also houses the Dragon and Tiger Hall, the Three Pure Ones Hall, the Chunyang Hall, and the Chongyang Hall. These 4 ingenious wooden structures from the Yuan Dynasty 🏯 The murals of Yongle Palace are all over the four halls. Because of these beautiful murals It is also known as the "Oriental Gallery"

Yongle Palace, originally named Dachunyang Longevity Palace, is a Taoist temple built in commemoration of Lü Dongbin. The Yuan Dynasty murals painted on the 1,000 square meters of walls inside the temple are one of the world's ancient mural art treasures. It is one of the first national key cultural relics protection units. Yongle Palace was built in 1247 AD, originally located in Yongle Town, 20 km southwest of Ruicheng County, the birthplace of Lü Dongbin. In the late 1950s, the state built the Sanmenxia Reservoir, and Yongle Palace was planned to be in the flooded area. After approval, the Ministry of Water Resources allocated more than 2.2 million yuan to relocate Yongle Palace to the site of the ancient capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty, 2 km north of the county seat, from 1959 to 1965. Photography is not allowed in Yongle Palace. There are photos of art students copying the murals in the courtyard, and my photos are from there.

|Winter Swan Lake. Shengtian Lake has been a beautiful place since ancient times, and is a gem on the Loess Plateau. Shengtian Lake has a relative height difference of over 200 meters, with plenty of sunshine, suitable rainfall, diverse landforms, fresh air, and rich species. It is home to 238 species of birds, 147 species of wetland plants, and 52 species of fish, making it a rare wetland wildlife gene pool in northern China. In winter, thousands of white swans descend like fairies, holy and noble. They sometimes sing, sometimes play, and sometimes fly. Like snow, like clouds, more like white moving elves, they make Shengtian Lake even more beautiful. Address: Liuwan Village, Monan Town, Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province Time: 08:30-17:30 Ticket: 50

| The Mysterious "Neiguanjing." "The ancient cave has been sleeping for nineteen years, and the flowing clouds have drunk thousands of cups; when you meet people, don't talk about human affairs, just smile and point to the white clouds coming and going" -- Lu Zu Jiufeng Mountain is named after its nine peaks, which run east to west, forming a rectangular peak screen that resembles a circle chair. Therefore, the headmaster Changren Zhenren Li Zhichang wrote the mountain's name as "Jiufeng Yuyi Mountain" when he visited Lu Zu in Chunyang Cave. There is a "Hanging Bell Cave" in the mountain, also known as "Chunyang Cave." According to legend, Jiufeng Mountain Chunyang Cave is where Lu Dongbin first entered the Tao and practiced in seclusion. The famous name "Dongbin" was also derived from this mountain and cave. Lu Dongbin was also honored as Lu Zu by Yuan Shizu, and Jiufeng Mountain was conferred by the Ming Shenzong. Ruicheng County is the birthplace and place of enlightenment of the new Taoist ancestor Lu Dongbin. It is home to the Quanzhen Ancestral Temple Yongle Palace, Chunyang Upper Palace, and Jiufeng Mountain. It is one of the "72 Blessed Lands" of Taoism and is revered as the ancestral mountain of Taoism. In 2010, members of the Taoist Promotion Association discovered that in the area of Yongle Palace on the north bank of the Yellow River, scattered Taoist temple ruins, when connected with the local natural terrain, formed the image of a meditating human body. Jiufeng Mountain is the head, Qinglongjian is the spine, and Chonggou is the meridian, resembling the human body hidden in the landscape on the "Neijingtu." This suggests that Lu Zu discovered the phenomenon of the landscape resembling the human body while practicing on Jiufeng Mountain, leading to his understanding of the unity of heaven and man. Jiufeng Mountain is popular among outdoor enthusiasts and can be hiked from the Shentan Grand Canyon in Yongji.

Yongle Palace, located in Ruicheng County, Shanxi Province, is a national key cultural relic protection site. The Yongle Palace murals are one of the three largest murals in the country. The history of Yongle Palace can be traced back to the Song Dynasty, but it was during the Yuan Dynasty that it truly became a Taoist holy place. When you walk into the Yongle Palace, you will find that the architectural layout here is very exquisite, simple and solemn. But the most exciting thing is definitely the murals. The murals are mainly concentrated in the Sanqing Hall, Chunyang Hall and Chongyang Hall, each of which has its own unique charm. The Yongle Palace murals, the world-stunning Yuan Dynasty murals, cover an area of ​​more than 1,000 square meters, with rich themes and superb brushwork. After 700 years, they still shock China and are famous overseas, being praised as "Oriental Art Gallery" and "Masterpieces in the History of World Painting". The murals in the Sanqing Hall can be said to be the treasure of the Yongle Palace. The murals here are brightly colored and the characters are vivid. Every detail of the gods, immortals, maids, etc. in the paintings is lifelike. In Chunyang Hall, you can see the story of Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals in Taoism. He looks energetic in the murals and has a very immortal feel. The Chongyang Hall displays the story of Wang Chongyang, the founder of Quanzhen Sect. Based on my experience of visiting the Yongle Palace, if you want to understand the murals more deeply, I suggest you ask for an explanation, otherwise ordinary people will just be there to watch the fun. In addition to the murals, the architecture of Yongle Palace itself is also worth seeing. Every corner of those exquisite wood carvings and stone carvings reveals the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen. Opening hours: Spring, summer, autumn: 8:00-18:00 Winter: 9:00-17:00

|A 1,000-year-old tree. At the entrance to Nantan Village in Ruicheng County, Shanxi, there is a ginkgo tree that is over 1,600 years old. The tree is 25 meters tall and 5–6 people are needed to encircle it. Due to its age, it is known as the "King of Living Fossils" in Yuncheng City. The 1,000-year-old ginkgo tree is located at the entrance to Nantan Village in Ruicheng County, Shanxi, on the road from Nantan Mountain Valley to Jiufeng Mountain (where Lü Dongbin became an immortal). The tree is lush and tall, with a trunk about 30 meters in circumference, and is revered by the locals as a "sacred tree." According to legend, Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals and the founder of Quanzhen Taoism, once helped people and educated the villagers under this tree. The hardworking, simple, and honest folk customs have been passed down to this day. If you haven't had enough of the high skies and light clouds of early autumn, the colorful mid-autumn, and the romantic late autumn, winter is here. This ginkgo tree is covered in golden leaves, like a dazzling golden armor, and the brilliant yellow is like a mesmerizing painting. Address: Nantan Village, Dawang Town, Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province