[2025 Huozhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Huozhou Ancient Government Office (Updated May)

As it was getting late, we only had time for a quick visit to a few attractions in Huozhou. Compared to other counties, Huozhou is relatively less attractive. Photos 1–6: Huozhou Drum Tower, also known as Wenchang Pavilion, was built in the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the Qing Dynasty. It is a typical cross-shaped building with a gable and hip roof, famous for its glazed tiles featuring the 28 constellations (Photo 6) and ridge beasts. It is a provincial-level protected site. Photos 7–9: Zhusheng Temple. Located in the former Grain Bureau, not far from Huozhou Yamen. It was first built in the Tang Dynasty and renovated in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is a national-level protected site. The existing Daxiong Hall (Photo 8) and Dizang Hall (Photo 9) feature Ming Dynasty sculptures and paintings, but unfortunately, a cultural relics protection officer is needed to open the door. We were short on time, so we could only take photos of the exterior. Photos 10–17: Huozhou Yamen. It is a national-level protected site and a 4A-level scenic area. It was first built in the Tang Dynasty and renovated in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. It is quite large, but we think it is slightly inferior to Jiangzhou Yamen. The main hall (Photo 12) is a Yuan Dynasty building, which Liang Sicheng called a "unique and humorous architectural example." A pair of stone tigers (Photo 15) on the platform are Tang Dynasty stone carvings, covered with glass. Photos 18–19: Guanyin Temple. It is a national-level protected site. It is said to combine Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, and requires a cultural relics protection officer to open the door, but it was too late for us to enter. The theater stage is a "cross-street pavilion" structure, which is a major highlight, and can be seen from outside the temple. In addition, we didn't visit Nuwa Temple, which is a pity.

🗓Itinerary: Catholic Church - Drum Tower - Zhusheng Temple - Huozhou Office - Nuwa Temple - Guanyin Temple - Thousand Buddha Cliff 🚉Transportation Guide: Self-driving: Just navigate to each attraction. Note that parking is difficult at the Drum Tower and Thousand Buddha Cliff, and the road to Guanyin Temple is narrow. PS: The Catholic Church is not on the map, but you can navigate to Tongnian Tongyue Kindergarten. Bus: Catholic Church, Drum Tower, Zhusheng Temple, Huozhou Office: You can walk there. Nuwa Temple, Guanyin Temple: You can take Bus No. 1 (every 10 minutes) or a shared green electric bike. Thousand Buddha Cliff: Take a bus at Ganglou Bus Stop in the direction of Xin Zhi, tell the driver you are going to Thousand Buddha Cliff, and you will arrive in 15 minutes for CNY 4. 🌟Highlights: [Catholic Church] There are so many Catholic churches in Shanxi. This one by the Fen River is also very beautiful, but it was cloudy and the church was closed when I visited. [Drum Tower] Built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the upper part of the tower is a three-story cross-hipped roof, and the two-story wooden pavilion is the essence. This is also the bustling city center of Huozhou. [Zhusheng Temple] A Ming Dynasty relic that was only upgraded to a national protected site in 2019, but the sign at the entrance is still a provincial protected site. The essence is outside. If you want to open the door, you can go to the row of houses on the right side of the main hall to find a monk. There are wooden chairs at the entrance of his house. [Huozhou Office] Mr. Liang Sicheng called it "an unparalleled architectural example of absurdity." It is the most well-preserved state-level office in China, and one of only three Yuan Dynasty halls in China. I didn't go in because of the bad weather. [Nuwa Temple] Recently under construction and closed, it has exquisite murals inside, clear springs outside, and champion culture. [Guanyin Temple] The navigation takes you to the small gate, the main gate is behind the alley on the right, and the unique opera stage outside is easily overlooked. [Thousand Buddha Cliff] Although it is a city-protected site, it is highly recommended. Please see the collection of articles below.

Integrity brings clarity, honesty brings authority Huozhou Office The Huozhou Office is located on the north side of East Street in Huozhou City, Linfen, Shanxi Province. It was first built during the Tang Dynasty, covering an area of 21,400 square meters. The existing ancient buildings are cultural relics from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Whether in terms of location selection, architectural scale, overall layout, or design, it is the best-preserved ancient government office of its kind in China. It is the only known well-preserved ancient state-level office in China, embodying the wisdom and ingenuity of ancient Han laborers and shining as a brilliant pearl of Chinese historical culture, now radiating anew in Huozhou. The Huozhou Office is the only known well-preserved ancient state-level office in China. It was first built during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. During the Sui Dynasty, it only had military functions, but in the Tang Dynasty, it began to take on both administrative and military functions. The existing buildings are cultural relics from three different historical periods: the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. In 1996, it was announced as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council. The Huozhou Office covers a total area of 58,500 square meters, divided into three main architectural groups: the central axis, the east auxiliary line, and the west auxiliary line. However, due to historical reasons, most of the buildings on the east and west auxiliary lines no longer exist. The existing ancient buildings are mainly in the central axis part, covering an area of more than 21,000 square meters. The Huozhou Office, along with the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Zhili Governor's Office in Baoding, Hebei, and the Neixiang County Office in Henan, is known as one of the 'Four Major Ancient Government Offices' in China. Together, they form a series of ancient official cultures from the central to the local levels, possessing high research, appreciation, and protection value.

The Huozhou Government Office, established during the Tang Dynasty, was once the residence of the Tang dynasty official Wei Chi Gong, and later became a government office. It has gone through the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and is the only known ancient provincial government office in China that has been preserved relatively intact, with a history of over 1300 years. The Huozhou Government Office is collectively referred to as one of the 'Four Great Ancient Government Offices of China,' along with the Forbidden City Museum in Beijing, the Governor's Office in Baoding, Hebei, and the County Government Office in Neixiang, Henan. ❤❤Most noteworthy historical sites: ✅✅1. The Main Hall of the Government Office The Main Hall was originally built during the Tang Dynasty. The existing hall, built in the eighth year of Yuan Dade (1304), predates the Forbidden City by more than a hundred years. It is a masterpiece of Yuan Dynasty architectural art and has been listed as a typical representative with completely preserved wooden components in the history of ancient Chinese architecture. Its structural form has been praised by architectural experts Liang Sicheng and Lin Wei Yin as 'an unparalleled comical example in architecture'. ✅✅2. The Treasures of the Town Office The 'Six Pillar Hundred Dragon Bed' and the 'Hundred Bird Facing the Phoenix Multitreasure Pavilion' are collectively known as 'Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix'. Not only are the carvings exquisite, but the craftsmanship is also superb. The drawers in the Multitreasure Pavilion, despite hundreds of years, still open and close smoothly without any noise. ✅✅3. Other structures include the Tang Dynasty stone tigers, Yuan Dynasty stone lions, Ming Dynasty Qiao Tower, ceremonial gate, examination rooms, and inner residences. ✅📍Tips: 1. Huozhou Government Office ticket price: 40 RMB per adult, free for those over 60 with ID card scan at the gate. 2. Visitors can pick up a free brochure introducing the 'Huozhou Government Office' at the tourist service center. 3. Hiring a guide for a tour can make the visit more meaningful.

1: HuoZhou Government Office, along with the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Governor's Office in Baoding, Hebei, and the County Yamen in Neixiang, Henan, are collectively known as the 'Four Great Ancient Government Offices of China'. 2: On May 25, 2006, the Empress Wa Temple was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.