2020 Self-driving Westward Travel Notes II: Yuncheng Chapter
"2020 Self-driving Westward Travel Notes I: Lingbi, Xuchang, Sanmenxia"
This is a continuation: Part 2: Yuncheng Chapter
Day 7, April 19
From Hangu Pass, Sanmenxia, Henan to Xiezhou Guandi Temple, Yuncheng, Shanxi: 48 km, 50 min;
To Yuncheng city center: 24 km, 0:40
Stay in Yuncheng city center.
1. Xiezhou Guandi Temple: Ticket 60 yuan/person.
It is the origin of Martial Temples, located in Xiguan, Xiezhou Town, Yuncheng City, Shanxi. It is backed by the Salt Lake and faces Zhongtiao Mountain.
Xiezhou Guandi Temple was first built in the ninth year of Kaihuang of Sui Dynasty (589 AD), and was expanded and renovated in Song and Ming Dynasties. In the 41st year of Kangxi of Qing Dynasty (1702), it was destroyed by fire and took more than ten years to restore.
The total area of Xiezhou Guandi Temple is 220,000 square meters, with more than 200 rooms. It is divided into the main temple and the Jieyi Garden. It is the largest existing palace-style Taoist architectural complex and martial temple, known as the "Ancestor of Guandi Temples" and "Crown of Martial Temples".
Inside the temple, there are plaques written by Emperor Kangxi ("Righteousness Shines Through Heaven and Earth"), Emperor Qianlong ("Divine Bravery"), Emperor Xianfeng ("Ultimate Paragon of All Ages"), and Empress Dowager Cixi ("Overwhelming Power and Awe"). The representative building is the "Spring and Autumn Tower".
The Xiezhou Guandi Temple scenic area is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a National AAAA Tourist Attraction. "Lord Guan Belief" has been included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and "Lord Guan Cultural Festival" is rated as one of China's Top Ten Personality Festivals. In 2012, the "Guan Sheng Cultural Architectural Complex" was included in the tentative list of China's World Cultural Heritage.
2. Changping Guandi Temple: Ticket 30/person, parking 10 yuan.
Changping Guandi Ancestral Shrine, commonly known as Guan Yu's Family Temple, is located in Changping Village, Changping Township.
Changping Guandi Temple is a family temple. The management staff are probably all villagers; even though they wear uniforms, their speech and behavior remain that of villagers.
In the distance, a sculpture of Lord Guan stands on the mountain.
3. Salt Lake: 4A.
Yuncheng Salt Lake is one of the world's three largest sodium sulfate inland salt lakes. Because its salt content is similar to the Dead Sea in the Middle East, people can float in the water without sinking, so it is known as the "Dead Sea of China".
Yuncheng Salt Lake is an ancient and typical inland saltwater lake. Geological studies show that the Yuncheng Salt Lake was formed during the Himalayan tectonic movement of the Tertiary Period of the Cenozoic Era, about 50 million years ago. It extends from northeast to southwest, about 30 km long, 3-5 km wide, with a lake surface elevation of 324.5 m, a maximum depth of about 6 m, and a total area of 132 square kilometers.
Rented an electric car for 30 yuan, drove around for half an hour.
4. Salt Pool Temple:
Arrived too late; not allowed in. The next day was Monday, closed.
The Salt Pool Temple was first built in the 12th year of Dali of Tang Dynasty (777 AD). Emperor Daizong Li Yu bestowed the name "Baoying Lingqing Pool" on the Yuncheng salt pool, ordered a temple to be built at the pool, and conferred the title "Duke Lingqing" on the pool deity. It was included in the state sacrificial rites.
It is the only temple in China that simultaneously worships the Deity of the Salt Pool, the Sun God, and the Wind God.
5. Guan Wang Temple: No. 192 Fenghuang Road / No. 61 Hongqi West Street
Built in the Yuan Dynasty, underwent major renovations in the 6th year of Zhengde (1511) and the 5th year of Jiajing (1526) of Ming Dynasty.
The temple faces east-west direction (sits east facing west). Existing structures include the mountain gate, offering hall, main hall, and Spring and Autumn Tower. The mountain gate, offering hall, and main hall are Ming Dynasty buildings.
6. Catholic Church: Opposite Guan Wang Temple
7. Mausoleum of Emperor Shun:
Beixiang Town, Yanhu District. Free admission, shuttle bus 10 yuan/person.
The Mausoleum of Emperor Shun is located at the west end of Mingtiao Ridge in Yuncheng City, Shanxi. It is the tomb and temple of Emperor Shun, one of the "Five Emperors" of the Chinese nation. In May 2006, it was announced by the State Council as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and it is a National AAAA-level scenic area. It is divided into four parts: Emperor Shun Avenue, Emperor Shun Square, Emperor Shun Park, and Emperor Shun Mausoleum.
The burial mound began in the time of Yu, and the temple was first built in the 26th year of Kaiyuan of Tang Dynasty (738 AD).
The Emperor Shun Mausoleum scenic area covers 1,778 mu, divided into the scenic area and the mausoleum area. The scenic area consists of Emperor Shun Square, the Spirit Path, Hundred Flowers Garden, Botanical Garden, Li Mountain, Tiaogu Cangye, Leize Lake, Guirui River, as well as an amusement park and Monkey Mountain.
The scenic area is lush with pines and cypresses, flowers of all kinds, sparkling water, and crisscrossing paths. The landscape water system runs from north to south, and the four arched bridges of Gao, Kui, Ji, and Xie complement the lake and mountain scenery, all showcasing the wisdom of northern garden builders.
There is a 4,000-year-old cypress.
4,000-year-old cypress:
From Yuncheng Yudi Mausoleum to Lijia Courtyard in Wanrong County: 34 km, 0:36.
8. Li Family Courtyard: Ticket 30 yuan/person (half price), parking 10 yuan
It is the residence of Li Ziyong, the richest man in southern Shanxi during the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China era.
Originally built in the Daoguang period of Qing Dynasty, located in Yanjing Village, Wanrong County. Together with the Qiao Family Courtyard and Wang Family Courtyard, they are known as the "Three Lotuses of Shanxi Merchants". There is a saying: "Qiao's for fame, Wang's for courtyards, Li's for charity."
The overall architecture is a Shanxi-style vertical well courtyard designed for wealth accumulation, while also incorporating Hui-style architecture. Because Li Ziyong studied in England, some courtyards are Gothic style. It is a courtyard that blends north and south, Chinese and Western, unparalleled in Shanxi. It embodies the profound heritage of Han Chinese traditional culture and has high cultural and artistic value.
The Li Family Courtyard scenic area is 38 km from Yuncheng city center. It is a National AAAA Tourist Attraction and a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Originally had 20 groups of courtyards with 280 rooms; now existing 11 groups with 146 rooms.
It is said that during the Cultural Revolution, it was used as a school, so it was well preserved.
From Li Family Courtyard to Wanrong county seat: 35 km, half an hour.
9. Wanrong Dongyue Temple (East Peak Temple):
It is a Taoist temple structure. Located in Wanrong county seat (ancient Xiedian Town). The founding date is unknown, but it existed during the Zhenguan period of Tang Dynasty (627-649). It was rebuilt in the 28th year of Zhiyuan to the 1st year of Dade of Yuan Dynasty (1291-1297), and expanded and repaired in Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The main buildings of Wanrong Dongyue Temple include Feiyun Tower, Meridian Gate, Offering Hall, Enjoyment Pavilion, Tianqi Emperor Hall, and Sleeping Palace. Among them, Feiyun Tower has a beautiful shape and clever structure, making full use of Chinese architectural techniques, and is a rare physical example of existing ancient architecture.
Feiyun Tower: Located in the Dongyue Temple in Wanrong County, Shanxi. It is a pure wooden structure, known as the "Number One Wooden Tower in China". Feiyun Tower is of Yuan-Ming style, 23.19 meters high, with dense dougong brackets all over the tower, exquisite and delicate. Together with Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, they are known as "Southern Tower, Northern Pagoda". It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.
Stayed in Wanrong county seat.
Day 9, April 21
From Wanrong County, Yuncheng, Shanxi to Hancheng City, Weinan, Shaanxi, passing through Da Yu Temple in Hejin City, Shanxi:
Next, cross the Yellow River from Hejin, Yuncheng, Shanxi to Hancheng City, Weinan, Shaanxi. Please look forward to: 2020 Self-driving Westward Travel Notes III: Hancheng, Sanyuan, Xianyang, Baoji Chapter.
This is my 22nd travel note. I hope it is helpful to travelers! Please feel free to criticize and correct! If you like it, don't forget to give a like!
