The Northern Water City Water Conservancy Scenic Area refers to an ecological development project in Qinxian County, Shanxi Province, which leverages the area’s natural scenery to develop its ecological resources. "Northern Water City" is one such initiative. In November 2007, Qinxian launched a large-scale public discussion themed “Pooling Public Wisdom, Seeking Breakthroughs, Identifying Advantages, and Planning Development.” By consulting experts, the county formulated a development strategy for building the “Northern Water City · China Qinzhou…”
Qianquan Lake Wetland Park is located to the west of Qinxian County, known as the "Gateway to Jizhou and Throat of Luzhou and Zezhou." It stretches from the headwaters of the Zhang River in the north, overlooks Guanwoshan Mountain in the south, neighbors the Nie River in the east, and originates from Huanghou Spring in the west. The park contains eight small reservoirs and is one of the areas with the richest water resources in Shanxi Province and the hilly loess plateau region. It also serves as an important support point for the western headwaters and upper reaches of the Zhuozhang River, boasting a superior geographical location. The park has a planned total area of 1,054.03 hectares, including 407.24 hectares of wetland, accounting for a wetland ratio of 38.64%. Water supply mainly relies on natural precipitation, mountain water retention, and groundwater. In addition to surface runoff, it is replenished by three underground sources: Zhanghe Spring, Chibao Spring, and Kotou Spring. Moreover, the surrounding areas of the wetland park are also supplied by large springs such as Yuyan Spring, Yuanwang Spring, Rensheng Spring, and Huanghou Spring.
Bifengshan Yongqing Temple is located in the northern part of Erlangshan Forest Park in Qinxian. It is said to have been originally built during the Sui and Tang dynasties, initially named Dabeisi. In the 36th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, the Prince of Shen bestowed upon it the name “Yongqing Chan Monastery.” Over the dynasties, it underwent multiple renovations and expansions, featuring magnificent architecture and a grand scale. Unfortunately, the temple buildings were completely destroyed in the fires of modern warfare. During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Master Chimu presided over Yongqing Temple...
RenSheng Hongji Temple (Fifth Batch Provincial Protected Site) Era: Jin and Ming Dynasties Address: RenSheng Village, Guo Town, Qinxian County, Changzhi City The exact founding date of RenSheng Hongji Temple is unknown. According to inscriptions preserved in the temple, it was renovated during the Jin Dynasty. The temple faces south and consists of a two-courtyard complex. Originally quite large, it now retains the front hall, offering pavilion, rear hall, and two stone stelae. The rear hall is located behind the offering pavilion…
Highlights: Panshou Mountain is the highest peak in Tunliu County. Introduction: Panshou Mountain, anciently known as Ludu Mountain, is located 45 kilometers west of Tunliu County. Its main peak stands at an elevation of 1,574 meters, soaring dramatically into the clouds. Gazing up at the summit evokes the feeling of “peaks so close to the sky they’re within arm’s reach, with withered pines clinging upside down to sheer cliffs.” The mountain’s rocky body twists and turns, stretching over a hundred li. Climbing from the foot of the mountain, clinging to vines and rocks to reach the summit, one can’t help but feel the awe of “standing atop the highest peak, with all other mountains appearing small.” Overlooking the mountain’s form, features, and atmosphere, it presents a mysterious, profound, and ever-changing beauty. At the top of Panshou Mountain stands a Jade Emperor Temple, consisting of three rooms entirely built from massive stones, preserving the architectural style of the Song Dynasty. The interior also houses murals. In the area south of Panshou Mountain, within Banquan Township, there is a steep cliff dozens of zhang high. Above the cliff is a crystal-clear spring that cascades straight down, splashing beads of water and resembling “a waterfall plunging three thousand feet.” Below the waterfall lies a pool filled with lush aquatic plants, some growing over two zhang long, floating on the surface with fish swimming among them—an enchanting sight.
Those who have visited Zhangjiajie Forest Park often say that its fantastical beauty and charm lie in its peculiar mountains, pristine waters, and serene forests. Similarly, in Tunliu, there is also a scenic area that wins visitors over with its unique mountain terrain—Mount Yishen. Located south of Tunliu County, Mount Yishen stands 1,021 meters high. Though it lacks towering, precipitous peaks, its winding and twisting ridges resemble a...
Tunliu Jade Emperor Temple Scenic AreaThe Jade Emperor Temple was first built in the ninth year of the Xining reign during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1076). The temple complex has three courtyards, with the First Mountain Gate, Second Mountain Gate, Gods’ Worship Pavilion, and the Jade Emperor Hall all aligned along a central axis. The layout is rectangular, measuring 110 meters from north to south and 32 meters from east to west, with a total of 110 halls, towers, and pavilions covering an area of…
Laoye Mountain Scenic Area in Changzhi is a key cultural relics protection unit of Shanxi Province. Laoye Mountain is renowned both at home and abroad for being the main battlefield of the Shangdang Campaign. The three... (segment truncated)
Laoye Mountain Revolutionary Battle Site (First Batch Provincial-Level Protected Site) Era: 1945 Location: Laoye Mountain, Shanglian Township, Tunliu County In 1945, the main battlefield of the world-famous "Shangdang Campaign" took place here. A total of over 22,000 enemy reinforcement troops were killed or captured. It played a decisive role in the final victory of the Shangdang Campaign, thus marking the prelude to the Liberation War.
Naozhang SiteNaozhang Site (Third Batch of Provincial Protected Sites)Era: Neolithic AgeLocation: Southeast of Naozhang, Xiwai Village, Xijia Township, six kilometers south of Tunliu CountyThe site is located on flat terrain, connected to Dongwei Village in the east, bordering Situ in the south, backed by Cuiping Mountain in the north, and encircled by the Yuxi River. It covers a total area of approximately 77,500 square meters. Cultural layers can be observed on the exposed cliffs and ground within the site...
Baofeng Temple (Baofeng Temple) (Sixth Batch of National Heritage Protection Sites) Era: Yuan to Ming Dynasties Address: Jicun Village, Lücun Township, Tunliu County The founding date is unknown. The temple faces south and has a two-courtyard layout. Along the central axis are, in sequence, a theater stage, the Shuiliu Hall, and the Five Directions Buddha Hall. On either side of the halls there are seven corridor rooms. The site covers an area of over 2,800 square meters. The Five Directions Buddha Hall is a Yuan Dynasty structure...
Moke Ridge Shangdang Pass Located atop Moke Ridge in Xiliuzhai Township of the county, it covers a total area of 347 square meters. A surviving ancient post station remains, rectangular in layout, with a stone-built cave dwelling on the front façade and a moon gate made of stone on the eastern wall. Downhill from the eastern moon gate, there is a remnant ancient bluestone path that still stretches over 3,000 meters. Cultural relics…
Jade Emperor Temple Located on Panshou Mountain to the south of the county town, the temple consists of three rooms entirely built from massive stones, retaining the architectural style of the Song Dynasty, with murals still preserved inside. To the west of Nishen Ridge lies Fenghuang Mountain, on which stands the Temple of Wang Bo-dang. Wang Bo-dang was a general of the Wagang Army, a peasant rebellion force during the late Sui Dynasty. A native of Xingyang Junyi, he was once granted the title of Marquis of Langya by Li Mi. In the fourteenth year of the Daye era (618), after Li Mi was defeated by Wang Shichong, Wang Bo-dang surrendered to the Tang Dynasty along with Li Mi, but later rebelled against the Tang as well. When he fled to the area around Jianqian in Nishen Ridge, he was shot dead by pursuing Tang troops. He was buried in Wangmu Ridge Village at the foot of Nishen Ridge. Local people, in recognition of his loyalty and righteousness, built the Temple of Wang Bo-dang on Fenghuang Mountain. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, when Emperor Xiaowen passed through this area, he looked afar and saw the mountain mist swirling and undulating like a moving serpent or dragon, so he bestowed upon it the name Nishen Ridge. The mountain is home to the Temple of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei, which faces south and is designed as a traditional quadrangle courtyard, featuring a stage and side rooms.
Tangwang Temple in Kangzhuang Village Tangwang Temple in Kangzhuang Village, located in the Kangzhuang Industrial Park to the west of Kangzhuang Village, has an unknown date of establishment. The entire temple complex is built in the style of a traditional Chinese courtyard house, with its main gate facing south. Above the gate is an ancient stage. Upon entering the temple gate, there are side rooms on both the east and west sides of the courtyard. On the high platform to the north of the yard are the Offering Hall, the Main Hall, and the East and West Side Halls. The...
Shishi Penglai Palace is located in Shishi Village, Lücun Township, Tunliu County, Changzhi, Shanxi Province. It was built in the first year of the Longfei era under Lü Guang of the Later Liang. The complex includes 28 rooms, comprising the Offering Hall, Wanghuang Hall, and Corner Halls. The entire architectural complex is grand in scale and exquisitely crafted. It is listed as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level. The palace faces south and features a single-courtyard layout, measuring 45 meters in length from north to south and...
The construction date of the sarira pagoda is unknown. An inscription in ink inside the pagoda states: "This pagoda was damaged in the Sui Dynasty and was repaired in the fourth year of the Qiande era of the Great Song (966)." This indicates that both the pagoda and Jinchan Temple existed as early as the Tang Dynasty and were renovated in the early Song Dynasty. According to the *Tunliu County Annals*, Jinchan Temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty. The style of this pagoda features characteristics of early Tang Dynasty dense-eave brick pagodas, which are entirely different from those of Song Dynasty pagodas...
Chongfu Temple in Tuncheng is located in Wang Village, Lücun Township, 8 kilometers north of the county seat. It was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province in 1996 and dated to the Jin and Yuan dynasties. The temple faces south and has a single-courtyard layout. The main hall has three bays, along with ten side and auxiliary rooms, covering a total area of 726 square meters. The main hall is three bays wide, four rafters deep, with a single-eave hanging gable roof…
Jishi Twin Bridges (Fifth Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites) Era: Jin and Ming Dynasties Location: River section of Jishi River, Shangcun Town, Tunliu County, Changzhi City, 9.16 km from the county seat The Jishi Twin Bridges are located in the river section of the Jishi River in Shangcun Town, Tunliu County, 9.16 km from the county seat. According to the Tunliu County Annals from the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, “Jishui originates fifteen li northeast of the county in Nanhuzhuang, flows past Shiju Mountain, continues eastward for five li before entering the territory of Lucheng County, and then flows into the Zhuozhang River.” The Jishi River has now dried up. The former riverbed runs from northeast to southwest, crossing National Highway 208 and connecting to the Zhangze Reservoir. The two bridges are situated on either side of the highway, about 800 meters apart, both built as single-arch stone bridges with solid spandrels.
Former Site of the North Gang Campus of the First Branch of the Counter-Japanese Military and Political University (Fifth Batch, Provincial-Level Protected Site) Era: 1939 Address: North Gang Village, Yuzhe Town, Tunliu County, Changzhi City The former site of the First Branch of the Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, referred to as the Former Site of the First Branch of the Counter-Japanese Military and Political University, is located in the northern part of North Gang Village, Yuzhe Town, Tunliu County. It consists of a two-courtyard quadrangle compound...
Introduction: Guangzhishan, commonly known as Guangzhinao, is also called Zhongyang Mountain. It is located at the border between Licheng County and Xiangyuan County, with an elevation of 1,807 meters. This mountain is towering and precipitous, with cliffs as sheer as if cut by a knife, and its peaks rise high into the sky. In spring and summer, the area is lush with green trees, birdsong, and fragrant flowers, creating an exceptionally enchanting landscape. Amidst these verdant mountains and pine forests lies an ancient temple — the Laojun Temple. Originally built in the first year of the Jiaotai era of the Southern Tang Dynasty (958 AD), it is one of the oldest temples in the Shangdang region. The temple is dedicated to Laozi, the founder of Taoism, who is said to have forged Sun Wukong’s body into an iron-clad, diamond-hard form and endowed him with fiery golden eyes. The existing structures of Laojun Temple include a dressing tower, a theater stage, and several side rooms. Hiking up the mountain via a trail from the temple, you’ll pass layers of rugged rocks and wild greenery. After walking about two li (approximately one kilometer), you will reach the mountaintop, which consists of two peaks about 20 meters apart, connected by a 9-meter-high man-made sky bridge. These two summits, reaching high into the clouds, each host a temple — the Jade Emperor Hall and the Bixia Palace — which stand in striking contrast to each other, forming a magnificent sight. On a clear day from the summit, you can gaze across the vast expanse of the Taihang Mountains, with their countless peaks and valleys stretching as far as the eye can see. Twice a year, on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month and the first day of the tenth lunar month, grand traditional temple fairs are held, attracting countless worshippers. Guangzhishan boasts not only beautiful scenery and rich folk legends but is also a revolutionary site with a glorious history. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Eighth Route Army advanced to the North China front lines and, relying on the Taihang Mountains, established the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Base Area. The rear hospital of the Eighth Route Army headquarters was stationed here.