Water Margin Heroes City

Water Margin Heroes City

Water Margin Heroes City is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Water Margin Heroes City, located in Yuncheng County, Shandong Province—the hometown of Song Jiang, Chao Gai, and other heroes from the classic novel *Water Margin*—is a comprehensive cultural attraction that combines martial arts study tours from the Songjiang Martial Arts School, traditional martial arts performances, and displays of Water Margin folk culture. It is also a uniquely charming ancient architectural complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Water Margin Heroes City is one of the core scenic spots of “Hometown of Water Margin,” one of Shandong Province’s top ten tourism destination brands. It is also recognized as a Museum of Ancient Chinese Residential Architecture, a diamond-rated travel route recommended by CCTV, and the origin site of Water Margin stories.

Seventy-two of the one hundred and eight heroes from *Water Margin* were from Yuncheng. Yuncheng is known as the hometown of martial arts and the hometown of heroes in China. The Water Margin Heroes City scenic area is situated on the western section of Shuihu Road in Yuncheng County, Shandong Province. It is a comprehensive cultural attraction that includes authentic ancient buildings such as the Loyalty Tower, Yuncheng County Government Office, and Chao Family Manor, alongside martial arts teaching and exchanges at the Songjiang Martial Arts School, as well as martial arts dance and *Water Margin*-themed stage performances by the Dogwa Art Troupe. The scenic area comprises over ten sites, including the Loyalty Tower, Yuncheng County Government Office, Chao Family Manor, Songjiang Martial Arts Hall, Yuncheng Confucian Temple, Yuncheng Tavern, Timely Rain Teahouse, Sun Erniang Inn, Guzheng Workshop, Broad Sword Hall, Black Dragon Courtyard, Guesthouse for Officials, Minglun Hall, and Ming-Qing Opera House.

Among them, a rich collection of traditional northern quadrangle courtyards and ancient architecture styles from Zhejiang and Anhui provinces dazzle the eye with their ornate carvings and upturned eaves. The outstanding performances by the Dogwa children and the stunning feat of wielding a 200-plus-jin (approximately 100 kg) “Number One Scholar’s Sword” leave visitors in awe. Meanwhile, the legendary tales of *Water Margin* heroes hidden within each building spark the imagination and make it hard to leave. The total planned investment for Yuncheng Water Margin Heroes City is 1.02 billion yuan, with the entire project divided into four phases.

In recent years, the scenic area has adopted a strategy of relocating entire structures. Following the principle of “preserving the original appearance” in ancient building restoration, it has gathered Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasty buildings with *Water Margin* cultural characteristics from Shanxi, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Anhui, and other regions. To date, it has completed attractions such as the ancient city wall, Loyalty Tower, Black Dragon Courtyard, Songjiang Martial Arts Hall, Zhu Gui Tavern, Chao Family Manor, and the Dogwa Grand Theater. Additionally, restorations have been made to the ancient Yuncheng County Government Office and Confucian Temple, giving the scenic area a distinct *Water Margin* ambiance. Moreover, the fourth phase of Water Margin Heroes City has commenced, with plans to build a Water Margin Culture Center, Water Margin Inn, Water Margin Food Street, Water Margin Marketplace, Chinese Martial Virtues Museum, Six Arts Academy, Waterfront Boutique Homestays, Traditional Opera Troupe, and Riverside Cultural & Entertainment Street.

The traditional architectural styles and exquisite carvings showcase the essence of ancient Chinese architecture. Key sites include the Yuncheng County Government Office, Sun Erniang Inn, Qingmian Beast Courier Agency, Timely Rain Teahouse, Song Residence, Black Dragon Courtyard where Song Jiang killed Yan Poxi in a fit of rage, ancient opera houses, the Water Margin Culture Museum, and the Loyalty Temple dedicated to the “Three Loyal and Righteous Paragons”—Guangyu, Yue Fei, and Song Jiang—along with other relics related to *Water Margin* heroes. Stepping into Heroes City immerses visitors in the historical world of *Water Margin*, allowing them to experience the chivalrous spirit and profound culture of the heroes.

The scenic area offers performances by the Dogwa Art Troupe, including martial arts dances, various martial arts routines, competitive martial arts displays, and demonstrations of extraordinary skills such as wielding the 200-plus-jin sword of Guan Sheng and performing rooftop leaps. Visitors can also enjoy intangible cultural heritage performances such as Zhui Zi (a form of storytelling), Luo Zi (a regional opera), and northern-style guzheng music. Come to the homeland of Song Jiang and live out your own *Water Margin* hero fantasy. Rediscover loyalty and bravery in Yuncheng’s Water Margin Heroes City.

Customer Service Hotline: 0530-6896888

Address: South Section of West Gate Street, Yuncheng County, Heze City

Business Hours: Summer 8:00–18:00, Winter 8:30–17:00

Recommended Visiting Time: About 3 hours

Ticket Price: 60 RMB per person; half price with student ID; free admission for seniors, people with disabilities, retired cadres, and active-duty military personnel upon presentation of valid credentials

Featured Attractions: Dogwa Art Troupe performances, sanda (Chinese kickboxing) competitions, folk acrobatics

Suggested Tour Route: Scenic Area Entrance → Video Hall → Broad Sword Hall → Number One Scholar’s Dormitory → Olympic Globe → Dogwa Theater → Water Margin Culture Museum → Zhu Gui Tavern → Yuncheng Tavern → Ancient Opera House → Songjiang Martial Arts Hall → Song Residence → Temple of the Goddess of Heaven → Timely Rain Teahouse → Sun Erniang Inn → Guzheng Workshop → Loyalty Temple → Black Dragon Courtyard → Qingmian Beast Courier Agency → Yuncheng County Government Office → Examination Hall → Scenic Area Exit