Wu Zetian Memorial Hall

Wu Zetian Memorial Hall

Wu Zetian Memorial Hall, commonly known as Zetian Temple by locals, is located 5 kilometers north of Wenshui County, on the northern side of Nanxu Village. It lies to the west of the Lüliang Mountains and to the east of the Wen’yu River, making it a scenic historical site nestled in beautiful surroundings. The memorial hall spans an area of 26,000 square meters. Along its central axis are the mountain gate, statue, stage, and main hall; the flanking structures include a bell and drum tower, stele corridor, side halls, and auxiliary chambers. On either side of the statue are grand stone tablets, including the Ascension of the Crown Prince Tablet, as well as an octagonal echo pavilion. The courtyard is shaded by willow trees and covered with blooming flowers and plants. Zetian Temple is renowned both in China and abroad for its unique association with Empress Wu Zetian and its cultural and historical value, being the only temple in the country dedicated solely to a female emperor. In December 1996, it was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The main hall of Zetian Temple within the memorial is the central architectural feature. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, the current structure was reconstructed in the fifth year of the Huangtong era of the Jin Dynasty (1145 AD), though the hall still retains a pair of Tang Dynasty pillars and some Tang-era tiles and bricks in its interior and roof. The construction of the hall’s beams employs triangular bracing and lever principles to distribute the weight from the roof, allowing for a remarkably large span that has endured over 800 years without bending. Experts have hailed the entire structure as a masterpiece of Tang and Song Dynasty architecture. The temple also houses exhibits on Wu Zetian’s political achievements, historical materials about her family, and displays of cultural and historical sites related to her across China. Visitors can not only learn about the immortal legacy of this outstanding female politician from the feudal era but also explore the cultural heritage she left throughout the nation.

Address: Nanxu Village, Fengcheng Town, Wenshui County

Phone: 0358-3046412

Nanxu Village: Nanxu Village is located to the north of Fengcheng Town, approximately ten li (about 5 kilometers) from the town center, right next to National Highway 307. It takes roughly fifteen minutes to reach by car. The village has over 900 households, with a total population of 3,100 people, including 58 Communist Party members. It covers 1,400 mu (approximately 93 hectares) of arable land, and has a labor force of over 900 people. Among them, 520 are engaged in household production, while most of the others work in local factories and mines. Additionally, around 210 people work outside the village, mainly in the trade of agricultural and sideline products such as grain and oil.

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