Huangdi Palace

Huangdi Palace

Huangdi Palace, also known as Yunyan Palace, is located 35 kilometers southwest of Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, within Liuzhai Township in the southeast of Xinmi. It was once the site where the Yellow Emperor, Xuanyuan Huangdi, built palaces, trained troops, taught military arts, and developed the Eight Trigram Battle Array. Legend has it that after his initial defeat by Chiyou, the Yellow Emperor retreated here to cultivate his resolve. He appointed Fenghou and Limu as his ministers, studied military strategy, practiced martial arts, and reorganized his forces. To this day, ancient architectural relics such as Yangma Village, Cangwu Village, the General-Worshipping Platform, palaces, the Xuanyuan Gate, and the Martial Arts Gate still remain.

Huangdi Palace is hailed as the “Sacred Land of the Chinese Cultural Ancestor,” the “No. 1 Palace under Heaven,” and the birthplace of the Eight Trigram Battle Array. The area boasts beautiful mountains and rivers, with picturesque scenery. Since ancient times, many legendary tales and melodious folk songs have been passed down: “From Nanjing to Beijing, Yunyan Palace is superior. Three cypresses, two stones, one temple—where the Queen Mother sits in the sky. Cypress trees grow from stone crevices, while the ancient dragon’s roar never ceases. The Yellow Emperor and Fenghou studied the Eight Trigrams; Yunyan Palace gathered heroes.” Huangdi Palace is situated on the north shore of Wuding Lake, nestled against mountains and beside water, offering an elegant environment. Inside the Ancestral Human Xuanyuan Cave, the statues of the Yellow Emperor and Fenghou are serene and lifelike, as if discussing ancient wisdom and strategizing for peace. The Martial Arts Field, Ancestral Master Hall, Council Pavilion, and Leizu Thatched Cottage are like pearls embedded around the main hall, giving the entire complex a well-balanced and layered layout.

In front of Huangdi Palace lies a mirror-like body of water, where clouds and rosy clouds cast their reflections on the stream. With green willows and sparkling pearls, birds flying and orioles singing, the ripples and clear waves resemble a crystal palace beneath the water. On the opposite bank stand three castles in a tripod formation. The two nearby ones on either side resemble palaces. The left one is surrounded by water, situated on Lover’s Island and shrouded by pine and cypress trees. Inside the castle, there is a stele of Fenghou’s Eight Trigram Battle Array and quaintly designed small wooden cabins for tourists and vacationers. The right one is located on Qingxin Island. The southernmost one, the Eight Trigram Battle Array Terracotta Army City, resembles a screen. Inside the castle, hundreds of terracotta soldiers and horses form the Heavenly Cover Array, Earth Load Array, Wind-Swaying Array, Cloud-Hanging Array, Dragon Soaring Array, Tiger Wing Array, Bird Soaring Array, and Snake Coiling Array, recreating the spectacular scene of the Yellow Emperor and Fenghou deploying troops and developing the Eight Trigrams in those days. Behind it lies a crescent-shaped pool of clear water. Passing through Xuan’nu Gorge from Xuan’nu Island and boating upward, one can gaze up at the astonishing cliffs on both sides, with dense green pines and cypresses growing from the rocky crevices, resembling a miniature version of the Three Gorges—this is the back view of Huangdi Palace, known as “Nine Dragons Pool.” In the pool lies a small island with a “Nine Dragons Temple” (also called “Dragon-Grabbing Wangxiao Temple”), beside which stands a virtue-stele. On the sharp rocky cliff to the north of the pool, there is a ribbon-like waterfall that continuously gushes like silver and jade. The sound of water striking the rocks is as loud as a dragon’s roar or thunderous thunder, earning it the name “Echoing Water Pool.”

Scenic Area View

The picturesque scenery here has been aptly described as “large like a potted landscape, small like West Lake.” Huangdi Palace becomes even more enchanting and romantic under the night sky. In recent years, through development and construction, Huangdi Palace has become a scenic tourist area and summer retreat. Visitors enjoy boating across the lake. Fishing platforms, natural swimming areas, and water-based dance halls add endless vitality to this classic and elegant tourist destination.

Address: Within Liuzhai Township in the southeast of Xinmi, 35 kilometers southwest of Zhengzhou City

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visit Duration: 3 hours

Phone: 0371-63111097

Opening Hours:

8:00-18:00

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 30.0 RMB

Huangdi (2717 BC – 2599 BC): The leader of the ancient Huaxia tribal alliance and the common sovereign of the Huaxia people during China’s ancient times. The foremost of the Five Emperors. Revered as the “Cultural Ancestor of China.” It is said he was the son of Shaodian and Fubao, originally surnamed Gongsun, later changed to Ji, hence called Ji Xuanyuan. He resided on Xuanyuan Hill, was known as the Xuanyuan Clan, established his capital at Youxiong (also called the Youxiong Clan). He is also referred to as “Emperor Hong Clan.”

Historical records state that Huangdi was given the title Huangdi due to his virtue associated with earth. Huangdi is remembered in history for unifying the Huaxia tribes and conquering the Dongyi and Jiuli tribes, thereby uniting China. Huangdi... More details about Huangdi++

Liuzhai Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Xinmi City. Established as Liuzhai Commune in 1964, changed to a township in 1984, and became a town in 1996. Located in the eastern part of the city, 20 kilometers from the municipal government. Covers an area of 64 square kilometers with a population of 41,000. The Qimi Highway and Songda Railway pass through. It governs 20 village committees: Wangzui, Xinzhai, Laizhai, Zhao’gou, Dongzhangzhuang, Yuanlin, Liuzhai, Xiaolizhai, Cuigang, Lvlou, Ximazhuang, Songzhai, Dongmazhuang, Wang’gou, Balicha, Ligang, Shuizhuyuan, Zhao’guegang, Guanyintang, and Liuwo. The industry mainly produces cement and coal. Agriculture primarily grows wheat, corn, and millet. Tourist destinations... More details about Liuzhai Town++