Era of Yuan Shen Temple: Ming and Qing Dynasties Address: At the foot of Huqi Mountain, Hongshan Village, Hongshan Town, Jie Xiu City Jie Xiu Yuan Shen Temple is located at the foot of Huqi Mountain in the southeast of Hongshan Village, Hongshan Town, Jie Xiu City. It was built near a spring, hence the name. The exact date of its establishment is unknown. According to inscriptions in the temple, it was rebuilt twice during the Northern Song and Yuan Dynasties, and underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, including one in 1989...
Hongshan Kiln Site (Hongshan Kiln Site – 6th Batch of National Heritage) Era: Song to Qing Dynasties Address: Around Hongshan and Mogou Villages, Hongshan Town, east of Jiexiu City An ancient porcelain kiln. Located in Hongshan Town, Jiexiu, Shanxi, hence the name. Also known as “Jiexiu Kiln.” First fired in the early Song Dynasty, it continued through the Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, with a porcelain-firing history spanning a thousand years—rare among northern kilns…
JieXiu Five Sacred Mountains Temple (JieXiu Five Sacred Mountains Temple) [Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units] Era: Qing Dynasty Address: Caoshi Lane, East Main Street, JieXiu City The construction date is unknown, but it has been renovated during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is a grand ancient Taoist architectural complex. The temple faces south and covers a total area of 2,158 square meters. Existing structures include a street-facing screen wall, an eight-character screen wall…
Shuitaogou in Mianshan is the soul of the mountain. A winding stream stretching ten li flows into the grand Mianshan Gorge. With abundant water resources and dense vegetation, Shuitaogou offers a vibrant scene in spring as nature awakens—with fresh buds, sprouting leaves, and expanding branches; in summer, thick forests block the sun, creating a cool autumn-like atmosphere with lush grass and blooming flowers; in autumn, the hills are laden with fruits, pine waves rustle, and red leaves cascade; in winter...
Qinbai
Beitan Pagoda Beitan Pagoda is located on the green fields in the northwest of Jiexiu City. It is a seven-story, octagonal pavilion-style brick pagoda, also known as Shigong Pagoda. It was built in the 13th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1748) by the people of Jiexiu to commemorate Shi Shishi, who served as the county magistrate of Jiexiu in the 24th year of the Wanli reign during the Ming Dynasty (1596) for his contributions in promoting education and providing relief during famine. …
Also known as Gongzhong Temple, Hongji Temple is located atop Yinding Mountain in Shitun South Village, Yitang Town, more than 10 li west of Jiexiu City. The temple grounds include the Hongji Temple Pagoda, Gongzhong Slope, and the Heavenly King Hall. Historical records indicate that the temple was built in the 13th year of the Zhenguan era during the Tang Dynasty, established by Emperor Taizong after his victory over Liu Wuzhou in Fenzhou. Since its founding in the early Tang Dynasty, it was renovated during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, restored again in the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty…
Qinpai Ridge is located in Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province, known as the "Hometown of Three Sages." This is where ancient scholars of the Jin State originated, and it is also the birthplace of Hanshi (Cold Food Festival) and Qingming Festival—two of China’s major traditional solar terms. The site lies in Xihuan Village, Mianshan Town, just 9 kilometers from downtown Jiexiu, adjacent to National Highway 108. The Qin cypress is situated...
The Jiexiu Fenhe River Wetland Forest Park is an extension of the Fenhe Park to the north. It is located south of the Fenhe River Bridge on Sanxian Avenue in Jiexiu City and north of National Highway 108, stretching 2.4 kilometers along both the southern and northern banks—from the rubber dam of the Fenhe River north of Shengli Bridge in the south to the west gate of the forest park in the north. The total area covers 1,000 acres (including 450 acres of water surface). It follows the construction concept of “nature, ecology, and wild charm.” In short, its landscape features “one water belt, two corridors, three green islands, and four scenic spots.” Among them, the four scenic spots are “Fragrant Grass Ferry” and “Dance of the Wheels” on the east bank, and “Stone Gathering Garden” and “Wild Charm Garden” on the west bank.
The Taiheyan Memorial Archway is located in Beixinwu Village, approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province. It was constructed in the 23rd year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1897). Due to its entire structure being adorned with exquisitely crafted and magnificent glazed ornaments, it is locally known as the "Glazed Memorial Archway." The Taiheyan Memorial Archway was originally the entrance gate in front of the Zhenwu Temple of the village. Facing south and situated on a site that spans…
Era: Ming to Qing Dynasty | Address: Yunfeng Temple in Mianshan, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province. Located in Baofu Rock, Mianshan Mountain, Mianshan Town, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Jiexiu City. According to inscriptions, Yunfeng Temple is also known as Lingguan Xianku or Dayun Temple. Originally built during the Zhenguan era (627–649) of the Tang Dynasty, it was renovated during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The site covers an area of 3,932…
Era: Ming to Qing Address: No. 275, Dongda Street, Beiguan Subdistrict, Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province Jiexiu Chenghuang Temple is located at No. 275, Dongda Street, Beiguan Subdistrict, Jiexiu City. It faces south and features a single-courtyard layout. The exact time of its establishment is unknown, but according to temple inscriptions, it was renovated in the eighth year of the Hongzhi era (1495), the sixth year of the Longqing era (1572) during the Ming Dynasty, as well as during the Qing Dynasty…
Qixian Valley is located in the Mianshan Scenic Area of Jiexiu, Shanxi Province. It is a winding canyon with a narrow, zigzagging sky passage. Visitors walk across suspension bridges while waterfalls cascade beneath their feet, creating a uniquely spectacular landscape. Starting from the Xianren Valley parking lot and heading south, cross the bridge to reach Xishuigou. Follow the stream upward and stroll through the Baiyun Valley, flanked by towering, lush green peaks. The valley...
The Sky Bridge gets its name from the plank walkways built along the cliffs, boasting a history of over a thousand years. It is a unique sky-high plank path stretching over 300 meters in length and less than 1 meter in width. Located more than 200 meters below the mountaintop and towering above the clouds, while also suspended over 300 meters above the valley floor, it hangs mid-air. On cloudy days, when strolling along the bridge, as you walk across, clouds surge beneath your feet — a sensation of walking on air. This spot not only features the legendary sight of the Dragon King of Mianshan transforming into a cypress dragon and resting on the cliff, and the miraculous tale of a divine rabbit helping the eminent monk Zhichao cross a sheer cliff, but also houses China’s most precipitous military stronghold, the Shilei Fortress, and the Cave God’s Palace built by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, in gratitude to the Supreme Old Lord. The main hall enshrines the statue of Shenbaojun, one of the “Three Great Patriarchs of the Tao.” On both sides are the “Five Northern and Southern Patriarchs,” the “Seven True Ones,” and halls dedicated to various immortals. Inside the long cave beneath the bridge are statues depicting the various incarnations of Laozi throughout history, as well as representations of China’s Four Great Inventors. The statues in the Zhenwu Hall, Tianpeng Hall, Sanguan Hall, Shuimu Hall, and Erlang Shen Hall are all in the Tang and Song dynasty styles. Historical figures such as Zhang Liang, strategist to Emperor Gaozu of Han Liu Bang; Zhuge Liang, who assisted Liu Bei in dividing the realm into three; Li Chunfeng of the Tang dynasty, an expert in astronomy, yin-yang, and calendrical science; and Liu Bowen, advisor to Emperor Taizu of Ming Zhu Yuanzhang, are said to have meditated and cultivated themselves here.
Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn Period, Jie Zhitui once witnessed here the highest realm of Taoism known as the "Daluo Immortal Realm", described as “Above the Three Pure Ones lies Jade Capital Mountain, which is covered by seven-treasure trees stretching over the eight directions of the Luo Heaven, called the Great Luo”. Later generations built the Daluo Palace based on this legend. Another tale says that a sister of Emperor Taizong of Tang once practiced Taoism in the Daluo Palace, and it was renovated again during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. After successive renovations through the dynasties, the Daluo Palace became China’s...
The main landscapes of Mianshan are distributed along the eastern foothills of Yangu Gully. From Jiexiu city center, drive along National Highway 108 to Dongxia Line, turn left shortly after passing Xihuan Village where the ancient Qin cypress stands, and you’ll reach a gently ascending 12-kilometer scenic road. After passing through the mountain gate archway inscribed with the plaque “Mianshan” written by Bo Yibo, you’ll go by Guangyan Temple, Zhusha Cave, Feihu Cave, and the former site of Lengyanhui, eventually arriving at Longtousi Temple.
Yaoshen Tower is one of the Four Famous Towers of Shanxi (the Qiufeng Tower in Wanrong, the Feiyun Tower in Wanrong, the Guanque Tower in Yongji, and the Yaoshen Tower in Jiexiu). In the novel "-Dragon Slaying Record", the "Ming Cult" to which Zhang Wuji belongs was originally the ancient Persian "Zoroastrianism", and Jiexiu’s Yaoshen Tower is the only surviving Zoroastrian building in China. The exterior of Yaoshen Tower…
Jiexiu Station, one of the railway hubs in central and southern Shanxi, is the third-largest passenger railway station and the largest freight station in Shanxi Province. It is also the largest railway station in Shanxi’s county-level cities. Jiexiu Railway Station is very close to the bus station (where you can take Bus No. 11 to the Wang Family Courtyard every half hour), just a 5-minute walk away. You can’t buy tickets for the next two hours at the self-service ticket machines—you’ll have to go to the manual ticket counter. In fact, when traveling between Pingyao and the Wang Family Courtyard, taking the combination of bus and train or going directly by bus takes about the same time and cost, but trains and buses run more frequently than coaches.
Located on the sunny side of Shitong River, Dragon Spine Ridge winds and twists like a coiling dragon, stretching for several miles. It remains cool in summer and warm in winter. Even during the bitterest cold of the year, when other places are blanketed in snow and ice, and frost and rime hang from the trees, the Longji Ridge Health Source, just a hundred steps away from the stone pavilion, is filled with green pines, emerald cypresses, yellow flowers, lush green grass, fragrant blooms, and thriving vegetation—warm as spring, truly offering endless wonders and...
Zhujia'ao is associated with the Ming Dynasty's Zhu imperial family. Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, had a father named Zhu Wusong who once practiced Taoism and worshipped the Supreme Venerable Sovereign here. After ascending to the throne, Zhu Yuanzhang believed that his rise to power was due to the divine intervention of the Supreme Venerable Sovereign, so he visited Mianshan Mountain with his cousin to pay homage. Location: Mianshan Scenic Area, Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province…