Things to do in Anyang

The most anticipated part of our trip to Anyang was visiting the Yin Ruins Museum. We were fortunate to have a guided tour with Professor Li Yu today, which made the trip worthwhile. Although Professor Li was not feeling well, his explanations were not affected at all. The content was detailed, vivid, and informative, and we learned a lot. The tour, which was originally scheduled for 3 hours, was extended to 4 hours by Professor Li, who was very responsible. My mother was very touched.

Part of the representative canyons of the Southern Taihang Mountains, it boasts both the grandeur of towering red cliffs and the charm of Peach Blossom Valley with its streams, pools, and waterfalls, offering a perfect blend of mountains and water. The Peach Blossom Valley trails are gentle and shady, making it cool in summer and ideal for leisurely walks with middle school students. The Taihang Sky Road, situated on a cliff ridge, offers expansive views overlooking the surrounding mountains, perfect for taking photos. Wangxiangyan is known for its thrilling mountain climbing, with its towering ladders and cliffside walkways, suitable for those who enjoy hiking and adventure. In short: it's well worth the trip for the natural beauty of the Taihang Mountains; the scenery alone justifies the price. However, it gets very crowded during peak season, so don't expect a smooth and hassle-free experience. A leisurely two-day trip is recommended, and it's a great option to combine it with the Red Flag Canal and Guoliang Village on a Southern Taihang loop tour.

Definitely worth a visit! The entire building is very solemn! Because it wasn't a holiday, it wasn't too crowded, making it a very enjoyable experience! I didn't hire a guide and still spent almost two hours there; each beautiful artifact has its own history.

Having learned about the Red Flag Canal, I deeply admire the older generation who painstakingly carved and carried the canal by hand, much like a modern-day Yu Gong (a legendary figure who moved mountains), benefiting the local community. The scenery at the scenic area is rather ordinary; if you don't consider the historical significance of its manual construction, it feels somewhat unremarkable. Furthermore, the memorial hall and the Youth Cave are bundled together for sale, and the two attractions are quite far apart, with no shuttle bus provided. I suggest this place be designated as a patriotic education base and opened to the public free of charge.

Travel | Anyang | National Museum of Chinese Writing What defines China? Writing is undoubtedly a crucial element. "Writing carries the Way"—where is the Way? It lies within these strokes. From ancient etched symbols to oracle bone script, seal script, clerical script, regular script, running script, and cursive script, the history of writing is the history of cultural development and evolution. Civilizations without written records have been largely submerged in the long river of history; but because of writing, we can still understand the feelings of a Shang Dynasty person seeking divination three thousand years ago. Get close to Chinese characters, get close to your mother tongue. Just a few days ago, I was discussing the significance of learning classical Chinese—standing in the lobby of the National Museum of Chinese Writing, looking up at the high wall inscribed with characters from oracle bone script to simplified characters, the answer is clear: learning classical Chinese is not for exams, but so that we don't feel alienated when faced with oracle bone fragments from three thousand years ago. The beauty of the square shape of Chinese characters is a unique aesthetic—other phonetic scripts seem to lack this. I'm also glad that the simplification of Chinese characters stopped before Latinization; otherwise, if the writing system had completely become phonetic, it wouldn't just be the form of the characters that would have been severed, but the entire cultural lineage of thousands of years. When we travel, ostensibly for "tourism," the kids think it's "playing" or "fun," but I often sneak in my own ideas—I actually plan "sightseeing" and "exploration." However, we still want to browse through cultural and creative products, and when we encounter handicraft workshops, I have to give her a "carrot" [laughing emoji]—like stringing her own oracle bone script bracelet. After a rather long museum visit for her, it was already quite good that she cooperated to complete the entire tour and listen to the explanations. Back home, she should continue to practice her calligraphy and read diligently.

The Yin Ruins Museum is a place steeped in history. The legendary bird gave birth to the Shang dynasty, and oracle bone script marks the beginning of civilization. The Central Plains were once vibrant with life, marking the rise of the Chinese civilization.

The scenic area isn't very large. There aren't many places to see, the scenery is passable, and there's a Eight Trigrams Formation you can walk around, but it's not particularly interesting. Overall, it's not very engaging, and the scenery isn't especially stunning, but the price is reasonable. If you're visiting Tangyin, it's worth a visit, and parking is convenient!

Stepping into the Yue Fei Temple, one is greeted by the inscription "Return My Rivers and Mountains" overhead and the kneeling statues of the Five Traitors below. Eight hundred years of loyalty and tragedy are encapsulated within this temple. As a national key cultural relics protection unit and a national 4A-level scenic spot, the Yue Fei Temple possesses immense cultural value. The Ming Dynasty architectural complex boasts a rigorous layout, with the Jingzhong Archway, Imperial Stele Pavilion, and Yue Wang Hall remarkably well-preserved. Numerous inscriptions by famous figures throughout history, including a couplet written by General Zhang Aiping, adorn the temple grounds. The Yue Fei Memorial Hall, utilizing modern technology for its exhibitions, is the largest Yue Fei cultural exhibition hall in the country, offering invaluable insights into Yue Fei's life, military thought, and the transmission of his spirit.

There's not much to see at Tianning Temple; it's a reconstruction and quite small. However, the Wenfeng Pagoda is definitely worth a visit. Be sure to hire a guide to explain everything, as each sculpture has its own story. The carvings are exquisite.

The sightseeing buses arranged by the scenic area were excellent, and the connections between each stop were seamless, making for a very comfortable experience! Climbing to the highest viewing platform offers a breathtaking and awe-inspiring panoramic view of the Grand Canyon. A 5A scenic area, highly recommended!