[2025 Wanrong Attraction] Travel Guide for Houtu Temple (Updated Feb)

Yuncheng is truly a treasure trove of a city, worthy of being the first city of national treasures. You can't see it all in one visit. You have to take your time to savor the details left behind by our ancestors. I went for two days this time and only visited Jishan, Wanrong, Ruicheng, and Jiezhou, leaving the other places for another time. ✅3-day, 2-night itinerary Day 1 Yuncheng Airport ➡️ Wanrong Feiyun Tower ➡️ Houtu Temple ➡️ Qiufeng Tower ➡️ Beixin Relic Pagoda ➡️ Li Family Courtyard ➡️ Yuncheng City Day 2 Yuncheng ➡️ Yongle Palace ➡️ Guangrenwang Temple ➡️ Ruicheng City God Temple ➡️ Yuncheng Day 3 Yuncheng ➡️ Jiezhou Guan Yu Temple ➡️ Chi God Temple ➡️ Yuncheng Museum ➡️ Yuncheng Airport The cultural relics in Yuncheng are a bit far apart, so if you're short on time, driving is the most convenient option. Picking up and returning a car at the airport is relatively convenient. There are now flights to Yuncheng from all over the country, and the tickets are not expensive. I highly recommend everyone to go and see it. Every ancient building is beautiful, and each one leaves you wanting more. I'll share a detailed guide for each spot later.

One-day tour of Wanrong, Shanxi. Visit the Temple of the Queen of the Earth, built in the Han Dynasty, and Qiufeng Tower, where Emperor Wu of Han wrote poems. Visit the mansion of the richest man in southern Shanxi, the Li Family Courtyard. The first stop is the Temple of the Queen of the Earth, built in the Han Dynasty. It is the oldest temple in China for worshiping the land, with a history of more than 4,000 years. The main building from the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty is still preserved. Covering an area of 23,000 square meters, the temple has a sacrificial road, a mountain gate, a Qing Dynasty theater, a sacrificial hall, a main hall, Qiufeng Tower, and other buildings. The second stop is Feiyun Tower. Feiyun Tower is located in the Dongyue Temple in Wanrong County, Shanxi. It was built in the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty. The hundred-year-old wooden tower is known as the "First Wooden Tower in China." Enter the Dongyue Temple, and Feiyun Tower is in the center of the main gate, facing south. It is square in shape, 23.19 meters high, and has five floors. The third stop is the Li Family Courtyard. The Li Family Courtyard is located in Wanrong County, Yuncheng, Shanxi. It was built in the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty and was the residence of Li Ziyong, the richest man in southern Shanxi. To this day, the Li Family Courtyard still retains more than 280 rooms, as well as ancestral halls, gardens, workshops, stables, and other buildings. It takes several hours to walk around the courtyard.

|The source of Chinese ancestral culture. Wanrong Houtu Temple, located in Wanrong County, Shanxi Province, is the oldest temple in China that worships Houtu (Mother of the Earth). Its history can be traced back to the fourth year of Yuanding in the Han Dynasty (113 BC). Our Lady of Houtu is known as the oldest ancestor of China and the most respected god of the land. According to the inscription "Records of Temples Built in the Past Dynasties" and the "Puzhou Prefecture Chronicles" preserved in the temple, the ritual of offering sacrifices to Houtu existed during the Xuanyuan clan, and it was further established in the Han Dynasty. The emperor would come here to hold a big sacrifice every three years. . Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty visited the Wanrong Houtu Temple six times to offer sacrifices, and left behind the popular "Autumn Wind Ci". It was not until the Ming Dynasty that the rituals were moved to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The architecture in the temple is exquisite, and the main hall, dedication hall and stage are all of high quality. In particular, the unique "pin"-shaped stage layout and the inscription "Fenyin Two Saints Pei Fang Inscription" written by Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty personally demonstrate its profound historical heritage. The Autumn Wind Tower is located behind the main hall and is named after the inscription "Autumn Wind Ci" written by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. The building is 32.6 meters high. The lower part is a tall platform and a sweeping altar, which connects the east and west. The building has three floors and is surrounded by corridors. The brackets under the eaves have a simple and exquisite structure and a majestic shape. They are rare treasures among existing ancient buildings. Today, Houtu Temple has become the source of Chinese ancestral culture, and its profound historical and cultural connotations are gradually being discovered and cherished by the world. Tickets: 20 (free on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month every month) Transportation: There are buses from Wanrong West Bus Station to Miaoqian Village where Houtu Temple is located, and some buses only go to Ronghe Town. If you drive by yourself, there is a large parking lot at the entrance of the scenic spot.

#traveldiaries Yuncheng has a long history. During the Western Jin Dynasty, it belonged to Hedong County, Sizhou. During the Sixteen Kingdoms Period, it was a land for various ethnic minorities. In the Qing Dynasty, it was divided into 1 prefecture and 2 prefectures, which belonged to Hedong Road, Shanxi.During the Republic of China period, it was assigned to the Shanxi Provincial Government and the Yuncheng Special Zone was established.In 2000, a prefecture-level transportation city was established. Yuncheng is an important area for the activities of the Huangdi, Yandi, and Chi You, the ancestors of the Chinese nation, as well as Yao, Shun, and Yu. Chinese civilization is slowly unfolding here. Yuncheng City is rich in cultural heritage. As of April 2024, there are 28 national intangible cultural heritage projects and 153 provincial-level projects.There are 6,205 immovable cultural relics of various types, including 102 national-level protected cultural relics, which ranks first among prefecture-level cities in the country and is known as the “No. 1 National Treasure City”. There are national AAAA-level tourist attractions such as Houtu Temple, Wulaofeng, and Yuncheng Salt Lake in Yuncheng City, as well as famous attractions such as Jiezhou Guandi Temple, Stork Bird Tower, and Yongle Palace, which have attracted a large number of tourists to visit. Yuncheng City has a complex geological structure, with three types of terrain: mountains, hills, and plains. The climate belongs to a warm temperate continental monsoon climate.There is Lake Wu Surnamed, the largest freshwater lake in Shanxi, in Yuncheng, and the river belongs to the Yellow River Basin. Yuncheng City is located in the heart of the “Golden Triangle” of the Yellow River in Jin, Shaanxi, Henan and Henan. It inherits the east and the west, runs through the north and south, and radiates the Central Plains. It is the combination of North China, Northwest China, and the Central Plains of China, and it is also an important node for the country to implement the “Belt and Road” initiative. In summary, Yuncheng City is a city with a long history, deep cultural heritage, rapid economic development and rich tourism resources. It is worth a visit.

📍Address: Ronghe Town, Wanrong County, Yuncheng City, on the banks of the Yellow River 🚗Transportation: Self-driving is recommended. The parking lot is large. The entrance and exit are not the same. You need to walk and climb the mountain. 👍️Highlights: We are all familiar with the Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Earth, but before these two, there was the Temple of Hou Tu, which is the oldest temple. Especially in the Han Dynasty, the worship of Hou Tu had become a system. Every three years, the emperor would come here to hold a grand ceremony. Especially during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, he worshipped Hou Tu six times in his life. The ceremony was grand and left a well-known masterpiece "Autumn Wind Poem". (The innermost part of the Hou Tu Temple is the all-wood Autumn Wind Tower, which is no less than the Feiyun Tower.) Later, Emperor Xuan of Han, Emperor Yuan, Emperor Cheng, Emperor Ai, and Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty came here to worship 11 times. The autumn wind rises and the white clouds fly, The grass and trees are yellow and the geese return to the south. Orchids are beautiful and chrysanthemums are fragrant, I miss my beloved and I can't forget. Only when I really stand on the ancient road, blowing the wind of the Yellow River, standing in front of the gorgeous Autumn Wind Tower, can I really understand this Autumn Wind Poem. 🎟️Ticket Information: 20. We bought the Yuncheng annual pass, which includes this attraction.

If the wind doesn't come 🌬, let's chase the wind! Embark on a journey to seek the wisdom and aesthetics of the ancients. Let's explore the ancient architectural heritage of Yuncheng together～✨ 📅Day1: 📍Guangrenwang Temple🏛→ 📍Yongle Palace🏯 📍Guangrenwang Temple - A treasure of Tang Dynasty wooden architecture, a living fossil witnessing history. It is not only a miracle of architecture but also a place of cultural heritage. 📍Yongle Palace - Built to commemorate Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals. The mural art is breathtaking, with every stroke filled with stories and vitality 🎨. 📅Day2: 📍Houtu Temple🏛→ 📍Wangrong Dongyue Temple - Feiyun Tower🏢→ 📍Wangrong Ji King Temple🏛 📍Houtu Temple - A place to worship the Earth Mother, feel the reverence for nature 🌱. 📍Feiyun Tower - The first wooden tower in China, every beam and column reveals the ingenuity and wisdom of craftsmen, the mortise and tenon structure is amazing 🧩. 📍Ji King Temple - A temple that carries farming culture, a holy place where people pray for a good harvest 🌾. 📅Day3: 📍Great Buddha Temple🏞→ 📍Xinjian County Jiangzhou Office Scenic Area🏛→ 📍Longxing Temple Longxing Tower-🏯 📍Great Buddha Temple - A Buddhist holy land in the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, the "world's first clay sculpture Buddha" is shocking 🙏. 📍Jiangzhou Office - An ancient government building, as if you can hear the echoes of history. 📍Longxing Tower - A mysterious tower full of legends, its stories are waiting for you to explore 🌌. 📅Day4: 📍Sima Wengong Temple🏛→ Jiezhuo 📍Guan Di Temple🏯 📍Sima Wengong Temple - A place to commemorate the great politician and historian Sima Guang, feel his spirit of integrity and honesty. 📍Guan Di Temple - As the crown of martial temples, it is not only grand in scale but also carries people's respect for the spirit of loyalty and righteousness 🛡. 📅Day5: 📍Yuncheng Museum🏛 📍Yuncheng Museum - A national first-class museum, taking you into the historical scroll of "east of the great river" 📖. 🍜Of course, how can we miss the food on the journey? Jiezhuo lamb soup 🐑, Yuncheng big plate chicken 🍗, Jiangzhou copper hot pot 🍲... every dish is a feast for the taste buds! 🍽 Yuncheng, an ancient yet vibrant city, is waiting for you to discover more stories and secrets! 🌟

Houtu Temple is one of the oldest temples in China for worshipping Houtu (Earth Mother). This place has a profound cultural heritage and is known as the 'Ancestral Temple of China' and 'The Crown of Temples in the Country'. Public Transportation: Take a car from Wanrong West Station to Gaogang, get off at the scenic spot intersection, and walk a few minutes to reach. Tour time is about 3 hours. Tourist attractions: Qiufeng Tower — Nuwa Hall — Temple Murals — Quality Theater Stage — Zhang Yi Ancient Road Notes: Most of the buildings and cultural relics in Houtu Temple are historical sites, please do not damage or graffiti. Food: Ronghe Mixed Vegetables, Yellow River Carp, Ronghe Cold Noodles, Baked Cake, Lamb Soup, Various Fish Feasts, Lamb Noodles, Baojing Big Knife Noodles, etc.

Standing on the banks of the Yellow River, there is an ancient building, which is the Hou Tu Temple on the bank of the Yellow River in Wanrong, Shanxi. It is the earliest temple on the land of China used for the worship of Hou Tu. Since ancient times, emperors of successive dynasties have often held ceremonies to worship Hou Tu here, with Emperor Wu of Han visiting this place 7 times and leaving behind the famous 'Autumn Wind Ode'. The ancients held a deep reverence for heaven and earth, and the Goddess Hou Tu was regarded as the deity of the land. Inside this temple, there is a unique '品'-shaped stage that can simultaneously host three different plays. The brick carvings, wood carvings, and stone carvings here are also known as the 'three excellences', with exquisite craftsmanship and stunning beauty. The Autumn Wind Pavilion at the very end, named after Emperor Wu of Han's 'Autumn Wind Ode', is truly the crowning jewel of the Hou Tu Temple. Welcome everyone to visit our homepage and discover more!

She is the crown of temples within the sea, and the source of the Chinese ancestral roots. 4000 years ago, on the banks of the Fen River, the Sweeping Earth Altar was built by the river, and the culture of worship was born. The ancients said, 'The great affairs of the state are in sacrifice and in war.' More than 2000 years later, at the confluence of the Fen and Yellow Rivers, the worship of Hou Tu became institutionalized. The Hou Tu Temple, where people sought their roots and ancestors, prayed for the nation's peace and the people's safety, and for a harmonious world. Over thousands of years, the Hou Tu Temple, though repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, and now only a fraction of its size during its heyday, still stands as the center of ancestral worship for Chinese people worldwide on the banks of the Yellow River in Wanrong County, Shanxi Province, continuing to tell its own story. ✔️The existing buildings in the Hou Tu Temple include the mountain gate, '品'-shaped stage, offering hall, main hall, east and west Five Tiger Halls, and the Autumn Wind Tower, etc. The architecture is magnificent and the layout is exquisite. Although the scale of the existing Hou Tu Temple is much smaller compared to the Tang and Song dynasties, it is still a vast and splendid ancient temple complex. Moreover, due to its exquisite architectural craftsmanship and dazzling brilliance, it has high historical, cultural, and artistic value. ✔️Additionally, from the Han to the Song dynasty, a total of 9 emperors, including Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Zhenzong of Song, came to the Hou Tu Temple in Wanrong to worship 24 times. As the source of worship culture, the imperial worship undoubtedly indicates that it represents the highest level of worship culture activities and also represents the ancient emperors' recognition of the status of the Hou Tu Temple as 'the crown of temples within the sea'❗️. Why was the worship later changed to the Temple of Heaven and Earth in Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties? It is said that after Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming dynasty moved the capital to Beijing, he originally wanted to go to the Hou Tu Temple to worship in person, but due to busy state affairs and the long journey, he sent a high official to take soil from here for the sacrificial rites, and built a Hou Tu Temple in Beijing, which is the Temple of Heaven and Earth. Later, the Earth Temple was built, and the Temple of Heaven and Earth was renamed the Temple of Heaven. This is why the Hou Tu Temple, as the 'source of the Temple of Heaven'❗️, can be called a temple, while all other Hou Tu temples in the country are called temples. It is commonly believed that the association of buildings with poetry began in the Tang dynasty, but in the earlier Han dynasty, a timeless masterpiece gave rise to the Autumn Wind Tower on the banks of the Fen River! 'The autumn wind rises, the white clouds fly, the grass and trees turn yellow, and the geese return south. The orchid is elegant, the chrysanthemum is fragrant, thinking of the beloved one, I cannot forget. Sailing the tower boat on the Fen River, crossing the midstream, raising the white waves. The flute and drum sound, the oarsmen sing, joy reaches its peak, but sorrow is plentiful. How can one resist aging when youth is fleeting'❗️The Autumn Wind Tower is named after Emperor Wu of Han's poem 'The Song of the Autumn Wind', and it stands majestic and beautiful on the banks of the Fen and Yellow Rivers. Inside the Autumn Wind Tower, each floor has a stele of 'The Song of the Autumn Wind', especially the Yuan dynasty stone stele on the third floor, which is the most ancient. Unfortunately, to better protect it, climbing the tower is no longer allowed, which is a pity! ✔️Just as 'The Song of the Autumn Wind' says, 'How can one resist aging when youth is fleeting'! Today, the Hou Tu Temple in Wanrong, Shanxi, has become a place for people from all walks of life in China, as well as compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese, to seek their roots and worship Hou Tu. It is also a bond of national unity, connecting the feelings of Chinese people at home and abroad❗️As the source of Chinese ancestral culture, it is increasingly showing its profound historical and cultural connotations. 📍Ronghe Town, Wanrong County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province 🚗Shanxi attractions are scattered, it is recommended to drive or charter a car 💰20 yuan, no reservation required ⏰️8:30-18:00, the tour lasts 2 hours

Houtu Temple is a widely worshipped deity in Chinese folk religion, known as the supreme god of the land. Located 40 kilometers southwest of Wanrong County in Shanxi Province, on the banks of the Yellow River near Miaoqian Village to the north, it is the oldest temple in China dedicated to the worship of Houtu (Earth Mother). In 1996, the State Council designated the Wanrong Houtu Temple as a national key cultural relics protection unit. The existing Houtu Temple, although not as magnificent as it was during the Tang and Song dynasties, still has a rigorous and complete layout, and remains the most prominent Houtu temple in the country. People from all walks of life within the country, including compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese, come to seek their roots and pay homage to Houtu in an endless stream. They pray to the Holy Mother of Houtu for the Nine Provinces to have abundant harvests, national peace and prosperity, social harmony, and wealth among the people; and for the blessing of health, safety, and prosperity for the whole family, wishing everything to go well. Especially on the birthday of the Holy Mother of Houtu (the 18th day of the third lunar month) and during the temple fair on the fifth day of the tenth lunar month, devout men and women, merchants, and tourists rub shoulders with each other, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere.

The Wantong Houtu Temple, also known as the Wantong Houtu Shrine, was historically called the Fen Yin Houtu Shrine. It is bordered by the Yellow River and the Fen River to the west and north, situated by the mountain and near the water, with an open terrain, facing south from the north, covering an area of 25,335.62 square meters. The overall layout is a long rectangle from south to north, a typical temple complex with a strict layout and clear structure, consisting of the spirit path, mountain gate, '品' character platform, east and west 'Five Tigers' side halls, altar, offering hall, incense pavilion, main hall, Autumn Wind Tower, Zhang Yi Path, and other components. The Fen Yin Temple was built in the first year of the Hou Yuan era of Emperor Wen of Han (163 BC), and the Houtu Shrine was built in the second year of the Yuan Shou era of Emperor Wu of Han (121 BC). The Houtu Shrine was relocated again in the ninth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1870) and has been preserved to this day, with a history of over 150 years. The Wantong Houtu Temple is the oldest existing temple in China dedicated to the worship of the goddess Nüwa. Its glazed decorations are dazzling, and the wooden and brick carvings of the Autumn Wind Tower stand harmoniously, majestic and spectacular. Inside the tower, there is a stele inscribed with Emperor Wu of Han's 'Autumn Wind Ode' from the eighth year of the Yuan Dynasty (1271), as well as the 'Fen Yin Two Saints Offering Inscription' (Xiao Wall Stele) handwritten by Emperor Zhenzong of Song and the 'Houtu Shrine Appearance' stele from the Jin Dynasty. These are precious historical materials for understanding the imperial Fengshan sacrifices to the earth and the appearance of the Houtu Temple during the Song and Jin periods, with unique value in calligraphy, literature, and academia. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

🌈In Shanxi, if the best glazed pagoda is in Guangsheng Temple, then the finest glazed hall is undoubtedly the Hou Tu Temple. 🗼Jie Xiu has been famous for producing exquisite colored glaze since ancient times. As early as the Ming Dynasty, the colored glaze industry became a well-known industry in the southern region of Shanxi, with Jie Xiu being the most famous and popular center for colored glaze manufacturing. However, due to the increasing scarcity of raw materials and the gradual loss of craftsmanship, many of the ancient colored glaze pieces in Hou Tu Temple, the last great achievement of Jie Xiu's colored glaze products, are now unique (many originals have been placed in museums). 🛕The exact founding date of Hou Tu Temple is unknown, but it existed more than 1500 years ago during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It was rebuilt and expanded over the dynasties, and it took on its current size after expansion during the Ming Zhengde years. In the eighth year of the Qing Yongzheng era (1730), the construction of the new Earth God Temple led to the current layout of the ancient building complex, which includes eight Taoist temples and shrines such as Sanqing Temple, Hou Tu Temple, Zhenwu Hall, Sanguan Temple, Niangniang Temple, Lüzu Pavilion, Guandi Temple, and Earth God Temple, with dozens of halls. Among the existing buildings, the Sanqing Tower is from the Yuan Dynasty, while the rest are from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 🐉'Hou Tu worship' was an important deity worship during the Qin and Han dynasties in China. It originated from the Fen Yin Hou Tu Temple by the Yellow River in Wanrong. Later, the concept of 'Yellow Earth Hou Tu' gradually evolved to include the worship of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, which is reflected in the layout of Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In folk customs, the Earth God Hou Tu is also mixed with secular concepts. 🐲'Hou Tu' is a term of respect for the Earth Goddess and female worship in the ancient primitive matriarchal society within the worship of the land. The vastness and boundlessness of the land, bearing all things, and being the fundamental basis for the nurturing and survival of all living beings, led to the supreme worship of the land by people, which gradually became personified, hence the term 'Hou Tu Niangniang', becoming a widely worshipped deity among the people of southern Shanxi. 🌈The largest and most magnificent place of worship for the Earth God Hou Tu is this Hou Tu Temple. After repairs and renovations over the generations, Hou Tu Temple and the surrounding Taoist buildings have merged into a grand architectural complex. It is known as the 'Taoist Earth'. Ticket🎫: Free🆓, enter with ID card🆔 Opening hours: 8:30～17:30

The Hou Tu Shrine is located in Miaqian Village, Ronghe Town, Wanrong County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province. Hou Tu, the Mother Earth, is the oldest ancestor and the most respected god of the land in China. Emperor Wu of Han enshrined and worshipped her in Fenyin, Dongyue, and designated the Hou Tu Shrine as a national temple. He visited the shrine six times. The Hou Tu Shrine is also the crown of temples at home and abroad, and the source of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. Behind the main hall of the Hou Tu Shrine, there is a building named Qiu Feng Lou because it hides the inscription of Emperor Wu of Han's 'Autumn Wind Poem'. Qiu Feng Lou stands by the river, lofty and vigorous. The building is divided into three layers, more than ten meters high, with a hip and gable roof, flying eaves, bright pillars, and densely distributed brackets. The lower part is built on a high platform called the Sweeping Ground Altar. It runs through from east to west, with a horizontal plaque on each side. The east is called 'Zhan Lu' and the west is called 'Wang Qin'. It is said that the famous scholar Zhang Yi entered Qin from here. Many literati and ink guests have also gathered here since ancient times. The time of the initial construction of the Hou Tu Shrine is unknown. The original site was on the Sui in Fenyin. It was expanded during the Tang and Song dynasties, but was destroyed by the Yellow River flood during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was rebuilt during the Tongzhi years. The existing buildings in the temple include the mountain gate, the well platform, the offering hall, the incense pavilion, the main hall, the Qiu Feng Lou, the East and West Five Tigers' side halls, etc. The glazed ornaments are dazzling, and the hanging carving craftsmanship is lifelike. The mountain gate and the well platform form a rare 'product' character stage in China, providing an important example for the study of the form of ancient Chinese stages. Although the existing buildings are not as magnificent as those in the Tang and Song dynasties, they are still a group of ancient temple buildings with a simple and exquisite structure.