Era: Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties Address: Xiyubei Village, Sunjiazhuang Town, Yu County, Yangquan City Taishan Temple, also known as "West Temple," faces south with its back to the north. It is a single-courtyard structure, 32.6 meters long from north to south and 19 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of 619.4 square meters. The construction date of Taishan Temple is unknown. It was renovated in the 30th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1904)...
North China Yifeng Ecological Park is located adjacent to Yangquan North Railway Station. It is a large-scale ecological project invested in and constructed by Yangquan Yuxian Shidian Coal Industry Co., Ltd., integrating ecology, environmental protection, sightseeing, tourism, breeding, planting, and processing. The park represents an active exploration and practice in transitioning from a resource-based economy to a diversified one. This approach holds significant implications and reference value for...
The Liu Hulan Memorial Hall is located south of Liu Hulan Village in Wenshui County, Shanxi Province, bordering the Fen River to the east and connecting to the Tai-Fen Highway to the west. The memorial hall was first built in 1956, with a total construction area of 8,400 square meters. It was completed and opened to the public in 1957 on the 10th anniversary of the martyrdom of Liu Hulan, becoming an important site for revolutionary tradition education for youths across the country...
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.
Shanxi · Lüliang Mountains · Cang’erhui Ecotourism Economic Zone is a national-level forest park, covering a total area of 360 square kilometers. It is located in Wenshui County, Lüliang City, Shanxi Province, the hometown of Empress Wu Zetian. The area is just 80 kilometers from Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province, a one-hour drive away. The economic zone boasts abundant forest vegetation resources and unique natural landscapes,...
The Temple of Empress Wu Zetian is located in Nanshu Village, about 5 kilometers north of Wenshui County, Shanxi Province. It lies to the west of the Lüliang Mountains and to the east of the WenYu River, making it a scenic spot known for its lush mountains and clear waters. The temple faces south and is not very large. Along its central axis from north to south are the main hall, the music tower, a statue, and the mountain gate; flanking structures include side halls, auxiliary halls, a stele corridor, a fish pond, an echo pavilion, and more, totaling over 30 rooms. The temple covers an area of approximately 26,000 square meters. The courtyard is shaded by willow trees and covered with blooming flowers and plants. Renowned for its association with the specific identity of Empress Wu Zetian, it has gained fame both in China and abroad and has been designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.
Temple of Di Qing. Located in Dijia She Village, 30 kilometers south of Wenshui County, it is also known as the Shrine of Duke Di Wuxiang and serves as the family temple of Di Qing, a famous general of the Northern Song Dynasty. Originally built in the fourth year of the Jiayou era (1059) by Di Qing’s second son, Di Zi, together with his brothers and clan members, it was renovated in the second year of the Yuanyou era of the Yuan Dynasty (1296) by Di Hui, the seventh-generation descendant of Di Qing. The existing structures were...
"Fen Ze Lake," also known as "Shi Tai Lake" and historically referred to as "Zhao Yu Ze Sou," is located on the west bank of the Fen River in Liu Hulan Town, Wen Shui County, in the central Shanxi basin. It covers an area of 1,000 mu, with 800 mu of water surface. The lake features three curved islands, two peninsulas, and a 3,000-mu pear orchard to the southwest. Between the Sun Pond and Moon Pond to the north of the lake stand the Red Ze Temple and the River God Shrine respectively...
Shangxian Site (First Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites) Era: Neolithic Location: 9 km south of Wenshui County, Shangxian Village The site covers a relatively large area, extending east to the earthen slope on the west side of the Taijun Highway, west to the top of Shangxian Ridge, north to the boundary ditch of Macun, and south to the southern part of Shangxian Village, spanning an area of 20,000 square kilometers. The site lies 60 cm beneath the surface, with a cultural...
The Wenyu River Reservoir Leisure & Cultural Tourism Area is located northwest of Beiyukou Village in Wenshui County, at the junction between the mountainous upper reaches and the mid-lower plain sections of the Wenyu River. It sits at the river’s exit from the valley and is one of the province’s six major reservoirs. It is currently the only unpolluted river in Shanxi Province, with water quality reaching Class II standards. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 113 million cubic meters and a water surface area of 4…
The Fan’an Temple Pagoda stands approximately 45 meters tall, with a base perimeter of 25 meters. It is a seven-story, eight-sided, octagonal, double-eaved brick pagoda with a hollow interior. Each level features arched stone spiral doors. The first-floor door faces south, and beneath it lies an underground chamber connected by a tunnel leading outside the pagoda. The lower several levels of the pagoda are built with large blue stone slabs, atop which the ancient red-brick pagoda stands—without a foundation or a top, making it quite unique. From the second floor upward, wooden...
Wenyu River National Wetland Park boasts a rare natural landscape on the Loess Plateau, featuring a diverse range of wetland types, including river sources, artificial reservoirs and ponds, floodplains, and grassy marshes. The park is characterized by undulating mountains, towering peaks, misty vistas, lush forests, and a vibrant green landscape, offering a myriad of scenic views and hosting a rich variety of species. It serves as a natural living specimen museum for precious flora and fauna...
Kaizha Nengren Temple (Fifth Batch Provincial-Level Protected Site) Era: Ming and Qing Dynasties Address: In Kaizha Village, Kaizha Town, Wenshui County, Lüliang City The founding date of Nengren Temple is unknown. According to inscriptions on stone tablets within the temple, the theater stage and Guan Yu Hall were rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. In 2002, villagers raised funds to renovate the temple. The temple faces south and has a two-courtyard layout. The central axis runs from south to…
Majiabao Guan Yu Temple (Fifth Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites) Era: Qing Dynasty Address: Majiabao Village, Nanzhuang Town, Wenshui County, Lüliang City According to a Qing Dynasty stele inside the temple, it was first built in the early years of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. Renovations were carried out in the 30th year of Qianlong (1765), the 10th year of Daoguang (1830), the 18th year of Daoguang (1838), the 5th year of Tongzhi (1866), the 13th year of Tongzhi (1874), and the 31st year of Guangxu (1905). The temple faces south and features a two-courtyard layout. Along the central axis are, in sequence, the mountain gate, passageway hall, and main hall. On both sides are side halls, stele corridors, wing rooms, side chambers, and bell and drum towers. Outside the southern side of the temple and aligned with the central axis stands a stage, facing the temple. All existing structures date back to the Qing Dynasty. There are ten Qing Dynasty steles recording temple renovations. The east and west walls of the main hall, as well as the side hall walls and corridor walls, feature meticulous polychrome and ink-wash figure paintings totaling 40 square meters.
Suhuang Temple (Fifth Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites) Era: Ming and Qing Dynasties Address: 20 meters east of Suhuang Temple Natural Village, Mayugou Village, Dabao Township, Lin County, Lüliang City According to the 6th Year of the Republic of China (1917) edition of the Lin County Annals, Suhuang Temple was originally named Huangsu Temple and served as a branch temple of Guanyin Temple before being renamed Suhuang Temple. Its founding date is unknown. It underwent multiple renovations during the Yuandade era, Ming Dynasty's TianShun, ChengHua, LongQing eras, and Qing Dynasty's QianLong, JiaQing, and TongZhi periods (1861–1875). The existing structures include the main hall, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty, while the rest are Qing Dynasty constructions.
Also known as Zhenwu Mountain, historically called Dragon King Mountain, Beiwudang Mountain is located in Fangshan County within the central section of the Lüliang Mountains, 32 kilometers south of Shuozhou City and 216 kilometers northeast of Taiyuan. The Beiwudang Mountain Scenic Area consists of 72 peaks, 36 cliffs, and 24 valleys. Its main peak, Xianglu Peak, stands at an elevation of 2,254 meters, and the total area covers approximately 80 square kilometers…
Pangquangou Scenic Area is a national nature reserve nestled in the Guandi Mountains, located ten kilometers north of Fangshan County. With towering mountains, dense forests, perilous peaks, spectacular scenery, ever-flowing mountain springs, large bird populations, and roaming wildlife, it offers a pristine natural environment. It is a forest ecological and wildlife-type nature reserve primarily aimed at protecting the brown-eared pheasant as well as secondary forests of North China larch and spruce...
Shenlong Valley is the largest and best-preserved forest park in the Lüliang Mountains and also in Shanxi Province. The Shenlong Valley Scenic Area is located 10 kilometers east of Jicui Township, Fangshan County, and 84 kilometers from Lüliang City. The scenic area covers a total area of 70 square kilometers. Here, mountains crisscross, peaks rise one after another, and dense forests thrive. The park boasts a wide variety of tree species, mainly including...
Originally named Guanyin Tower, it is located in Dawu Town, Fangshan County. Built in the fourth year of the Jingtai era of the Ming Dynasty (145), it features a three-story double-rafter structure with a cross-hipped roof. Standing about 5 zhang tall (approx. 16.7 meters) and over 3 zhang wide (approx. 10 meters), it houses 17 statues including Guanyin and the Jade Emperor. The lower part is supported by 16 wooden pillars, four of which run straight to the top of the tower. The entire structure is made entirely of wood, exquisitely crafted and tightly constructed, with...
The Tomb of Yu Chenglong is located in Hengquan Village, Yukou Town, Fangshan County, Lüliang City, Shanxi Province. It is the burial site of Yu Chenglong, an honest and upright official of the Qing Dynasty. The tomb complex faces west and has a square layout, covering an area of approximately 2,200 square meters. It is surrounded by a 2.5-meter-high blue brick fence adorned with floral patterns, and a granite memorial archway stands on the western side. The grave...