Liu Bowen’s Hometown Scenic Area

Liu Bowen’s Hometown Scenic Area

Liu Bowen’s Hometown Scenic Area is a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction and a cultural tourism site.

Liu Bowen’s Hometown Scenic Area

National 5A-level Tourist Attraction Creation

A comprehensive tourism and leisure destination integrating multiple cultural elements such as historical celebrity culture, Buddhist culture, folk culture, integrity culture, and ecological culture. In February 2017, it passed the national 5A-level tourist attraction resource assessment and obtained the qualification to begin the creation process. The scenic area mainly consists of three zones: Baizhang Canyon, Liu Ji Temple, and Anfu Temple.

Liu Ji, courtesy name Bowen, was granted the title of Marquis of Chengyi and posthumously honored as Grand Tutor with the posthumous name Wencheng. He was a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty, as well as a military strategist, politician, and literary figure. His hometown is located in Nantian Town, west of Tianding Lake in Wencheng County.

Liu Ji Temple Scenic Area

Liu Ji Temple, also known as the Imperially Commissioned Chengyi Marquis Temple, is situated at the southern foot of Huagai Mountain in Nantian Town, Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province. It is one of the two core scenic areas of Liu Bowen’s Hometown. Constructed by imperial decree in the second year of the Tianshun era of the Ming Dynasty (1458), it covers an area of approximately 3,024 square meters. The temple is a seven-bay wooden structure with surrounding corridors in a courtyard layout, consisting of four main sections: the entrance gate, ceremonial gate, main hall, and the Ancestral Memorial Chapel. The main hall features a through-tenon beam structure with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, standing over 10 meters high; the central hall houses seated statues of Liu Ji, his eldest son Liu Lian, and second son Liu Jian. Outside the entrance gate stand two wooden memorial archways inscribed with “Royal Advisor” and “Imperial Tutor.” The temple interior displays plaques and couplets commemorating the deeds of the revered statesman, authored by historical figures such as Liu Quanzhi, Zhang Taiyan, Cai Yuanpei, and Lin Sen. The environment is serene, the layout grand, the architectural style rustic yet solemn. Numerous cultural relics and historic sites surround the temple, including the Yuan Dynasty-built Xu Zhongyong Ancestral Hall and groups of ancient residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In 2001, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Liu Ji (1311–1375), courtesy name Bowen, was a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty, granted the title of Marquis of Chengyi, awarded the honorific title of Grand Tutor, and posthumously named Wencheng. Born in Wuyang Village, Nantian Town, Wencheng County, he was renowned for his achievements comparable to Jiang Ziya and his conduct akin to Yi Yin. Folklore often speaks of him with the saying, “Zhuge Liang divided the empire into three, but Liu Bowen unified the realm,” making him one of China’s outstanding politicians, military strategists, and literary figures. He authored influential works such as “The Book of Yu Li” and “Collected Works of Fu Bei,” and cultural elements associated with him, such as the “Legends of Liu Bowen” and the “Ritual of Tai Gong,” are recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritages.

Baizhang Canyon Scenic Area

Mountains are known for their peaks, and valleys for their waterfalls. Wenzhou’s Wencheng County boasts countless waterfalls, but none surpass the fame of Baizhang Canyon. As one of the two core scenic areas of Liu Bowen’s Hometown, it is also a key component of the Baizhang Canyon – Feiyun Lake National Scenic Area. It is world-renowned for its cascading waterfall complex characterized by the “First Canyon’s majesty, the Second Canyon’s wonder, and the Third Canyon’s serenity.” A poem by Liu Bowen, founding hero of the Ming Dynasty, upon viewing the falls reads: “Sheer cliffs and crags strike awe, as crystal waters plummet from the sky; unafraid of frost in June, it roars like thunder even in deep winter.” In 2013, it was certified by the Shanghai Guinness World Records Headquarters as “China’s Highest Single-Drop Waterfall” and selected as one of “China’s Top Ten Famous Waterfalls.”

Baizhang Canyon is a “V”-shaped deep ravine, stretching 1,200 meters in length with a total drop of 353 meters, forming a three-tiered waterfall system. The First Canyon, towering 100 zhang (approximately 330 meters) high, features a waterfall that plunges down from steep cliffs like a long white silk ribbon, crashing into the deep abyss with splashing beads of water and roaring thunder. The mist rises to the sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The Second Canyon, extending 100 zhang deep, hides an ancient path between the cliffs within the waterfall, forming a natural water curtain cave. Walking through it, one experiences ever-changing rainbows and mist, as if entering a fairyland. The Third Canyon spans 100 zhang in width, with a broad stone beach and gentle blue waters flowing like soft gauze across the picturesque valley. The valley is lush with vegetation, dotted with peculiar rocks, and alive with birdsong, offering unique charm. Along the canyon, visitors can also explore cultural sites such as the ruins of Lü Dongbin’s Taoist hut, Taoist immortal Tao’s alchemy platform, Liu Bowen’s waterfall viewing platform, and Luo Yin’s waterfall observation cliff.

Nantian Town: Nantian Town is the hometown of Liu Ji, founding hero of the Ming Dynasty. Located in the northwest of Wencheng County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, it lies 34 kilometers from the county seat, covering a total area of 99 square kilometers. The town governs 19 administrative villages with a population of 23,000. Historically part of Qingtian County, Nantian got its name due to its flat, expansive land and fertile fields. Blessed with beautiful scenery, pleasant climate, rich vegetation, and a legacy of eminent people, Nantian Town is honored as the “Sixth Blessed Land among the Seventy-Two Paradises of the World.”

Nantian Town is a township under the jurisdiction of Wencheng County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It is the hometown of Liu Ji, founding hero of the Ming Dynasty, and is located in the northwest of Wencheng... Nantian Town detailed information++