Yuncheng: Hometown of Lord Guan
On this trip to southwestern Shanxi, Yuncheng served as a transfer hub. In ancient times, it was called 'Hedong,' named after the 'City of Salt Transport,' and is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization. The ancestors of the Chinese nation—Yellow Emperor, Yan Emperor, Chi You, Yao, Shun, and Yu—all once lived and acted in the land of Hedong. Yao initially established his capital in Puban, later moved to Pingyang; Shun's capital was Puban; Yu's capital was Anyi. The first slave society in China, the Xia Dynasty, was also born here. Spring and Autumn period wealthy merchant Yidun, Han Dynasty Marquis of Jiang Zhou Bo, the famous general Guan Yu of the Three Kingdoms, the philosopher and educator Wang Tong (Wen Zhongzi) of the late Sui, Wang Bo—the foremost of the 'Four Outstanding Poets' of the early Tang, Liu Zongyuan—one of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, Tang Xuanzong's favored consort Yang Yuhuan, generals Xue Rengui and Zhang Shougui, and the famous Song Dynasty politician and historian Sima Guang—all are historical celebrities from this city.
Yuncheng's transportation network is well-developed, including Yuncheng Zhangxiao Airport, Yuncheng North Railway Station (high-speed rail), and Yuncheng Railway Station. A one-hour economic circle connecting the city's urban roads to counties and cities has already been formed, and Yuncheng took the lead in achieving the 'oil-paved road to every village' project in Shanxi Province.
The Nanfeng Square in the city center takes its name from the 'Song of the South Wind' (Nanfeng Ge). Located at the intersection of Hedong Street, Renmin Road, and Yudu Avenue in Yuncheng, the square covers an area of 200 mu (about 13.3 hectares), extending 320 meters east-west and 380 meters north-south. It was once called 'China.' One of the 'Three Sovereigns,' Emperor Yu Shun, facing the vast salt lake, could not help but sing: 'The south wind is fragrant; it can relieve my people's anger; the south wind comes at the right time; it can enrich my people's wealth!' This is the 'Song of the South Wind.' It invokes heaven, praying for health and wealth for the people. Nanfeng Square is named after this meaning.
Nanfeng Square in the city center
Nanfeng Square in the city center
This is the Home Inn·neo (Yuncheng Hongqi East Street store) where we stayed. It just opened this year, with good conditions. The first night cost a little over 120 yuan, and the second night a little over 150 yuan—just for your reference.
Home Inn, with a separate wet and dry bathroom.
Home Inn also has a gym.
Home Inn has peppermint candies and bottled water freely available at the stairwell on each floor.
The restaurant next to the lobby of Home Inn offers breakfast at 20 yuan per person. The variety is not large, but it's acceptable.
View from the hotel rooftop
View from the hotel rooftop
View from the hotel rooftop
On the 20th, we planned to fly home and originally wanted to stay at Home Inn again, but since it was Sunday, the price had risen to over 250 yuan (without breakfast), and standard rooms were fully booked. So we chose this Weilai Hotel (Nanfeng Square branch) on Jiefang Middle Road. The price was also over 200 yuan (including breakfast), convenient and fairly good.
The bathroom at Weilai Hotel is large with separate wet and dry areas.
It is said that Yuncheng Salt Lake is very beautiful, one of the world's three major salt lakes, known as the 'Dead Sea of China.' Since we were in Yuncheng, we decided to visit.
This is a promotional photo of Yuncheng Salt Lake
Promotional photo of Yuncheng Salt Lake
The entrance gate of Yuncheng Salt Lake. Admission is 20 yuan per person, free for those over 60.
The salt lake we actually saw was not nearly as beautiful as in the photos.
Yuncheng Salt Lake—the scorching sun was unbearable, totally not worth the visit. Instead, the Chishen Temple (Pool God Temple) by the lake has many ancient relics preserved, but it was under renovation and closed when we went, which was a pity.
