Zhenze Palace

　　   Zhenze Palace is situated in Shenjiao Village, Huguan County. It was initially constructed in the early years of the Qianyu era of the Tang Dynasty and has undergone renovations during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The palace houses two goddesses referred to as the “Goddesses of Zhenze.” Locally, they are affectionately called “Old Grandma.” Legend has it that they are sisters to the “Old Grandma” of Gaoping County. Gaoping County, located in the southern part of Shangdang, is the site where the myth of Nüwa mending the heavens took place. According to experts from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the story of Nüwa mending the sky refers to a massive meteor shower that occurred during prehistoric human times. This meteor shower swept from the Hetao region to Xingtai in Hebei, leaving a trail of impacts—one of which formed the vast Baiyangdian crater. The “cave” where the Nüwa tribe lived—the “Wahuang Cave” (a natural cliff cave)—was naturally not spared. The “sky” that Nüwa repaired refers to the roof of this cliff cave. As a result, there are many “Temples of Grandma” around the border areas of southwestern Shanxi, Hebei, and Henan, among which the “Wahuang Palace” in She County, Hebei, is the largest. Zhenze Palace is one of them. The temple faces south with its back against green mountains and fronts the Cuiwei Peak. It has five courtyards, boasts a grand scale, and features a complete architectural layout. Existing structures include the memorial archway, mountain gate, River-Viewing Tower, bell and drum towers, theater stage, dressing tower, and more, totaling over 200 rooms. With its beautiful legends and exquisite architecture, it is a must-visit destination for tourists in Huguan County.