Things to do in Wanrong

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Yuncheng

Li Family Courtyard

Li Family Courtyard in Yuncheng is the private residence of Li Ziyong, a wealthy merchant in southwest of Shanxi, and it was built in the late Qing Dynasty and early period of the Warlord Era. Li Family Courtyard is a typical building reflecting the style of residential houses in the southern Shanxi province. The whole building is arranged around a quadrangle courtyard and also boasts Hui style architecture. It combines the features of two major architectural forms in south and north of China, and in terms of the art of decoration, the national culture infiltrates every corner of the building.

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Yuncheng

Wanrong Feiyun Tower Scenic Area

Wanrong Dongyue Temple is a national key cultural relic protection unit. It is a temple dedicated to Huang Feihu, the emperor of Dongyue. It was built in the early Tang Dynasty and has been repaired in all dynasties. The main building in the temple, the Feiyun Tower, is made of pure wood, with a light structure, overlapping bucket arches, entwined cloud belts, flying in the sky, and ingenious craftsmanship. Together with the Yingxian Wooden Tower, it is known as the South Tower and the North Tower. It is a rare flower in the field of Chinese architecture. , has a very high research and appreciation value.

No. 11 of Best Things to Do in Yuncheng

Houtu Temple

Houtu temple, the ancestral shrine of China, is located by the Yellow River in Miaoqian village, Ronghe town, Wanrong county. With profound cultural heritage, it serves as a global worship center for Chinese descendants and one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Houtu temple is located east of the Emei ridge and west of the Fenhuang bank, stretching 240 m from north to south and 105 m from east to west, covering an area of 25,268 square meters. The temple complex includes the mountain gate, a tripartite stage, the east and west five-tiger halls, the offering hall, the incense pavilion, the main hall, the autumn wind tower, and the song zhenzong stele corridor. Historical records mention the "sovereign heaven and houtu." From emperor xuanyuan huangdi's "sweeping the ground to build an altar for worshipping houtu" to emperor song zhenzong, eight emperors conducted 24 sacrificial ceremonies here. Emperor han wudi visited hedong eight times, offering sacrifices here seven times and leaving behind the timeless masterpiece "Ode to the autumn wind." The autumn wind tower derives its name from housing emperor han wudi's "Ode to the autumn wind stele," with the existing structure dating back to the ming dynasty. Houtu temple is the largest of its kind in China. In recent years, people from all walks of life across the country (including compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) and overseas Chinese have been coming in an endless stream to seek their roots and worship Houtu. Especially on the birthday of Houtu holy mother (the 18th day of the third lunar month) and during the temple fair on the 5th day of the tenth lunar month, devout pilgrims, merchants and visitors gather in large numbers, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Wanrong Jiwang Temple

Qiufeng Tower

Qiufeng Tower is located in Wanrong County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, China. It is named after the "Autumn Wind Ode" written by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che, when he offered sacrifices to Hou Tu here. It is an ancient building with profound historical and cultural heritage. Built in the Ming Dynasty, Qiufeng Tower attracts many tourists and history lovers with its unique architectural style and long history. This pavilion is located in the heart of Wanrong County and has become one of the local landmarks due to its towering structure and exquisite carvings. The architectural style of Qiufeng Tower incorporates traditional elements from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The wooden structure is exquisite and the eaves are flying, showing the unique charm of ancient architecture. Qiufeng Tower is not only a treasure of architectural art, but also an important place for cultural activities. Historically, this place was a gathering place for literati and poets, who recited poems and exchanged ideas here. Today, Qiufeng Tower is still a center of cultural exchange, regularly hosting calligraphy exhibitions, traditional concerts and other cultural activities, attracting many cultural lovers to visit.

Macun Brick Carving Tombs

Macun Brick Carving Tombs are located in the western part of Macun Village, 4 km west of the county seat of Jishan County, Shanxi Province. The tomb complex dates back to the Song and Jin dynasties (960–1234 AD). Macun Brick Carving Tombs cover a total area of approx. 16,000 square meters. Macun Brick Carving Tombs use brick carvings to depict the layout of the tomb owners' residences during their lifetimes, typically featuring a siheyuan (courtyard) structure with a front hall, a back hall, and side rooms. They recreate the architectural style of that time, providing detailed physical evidence for the study of architectural history during the Song and Jin dynasties. The brick carvings of opera and dance unearthed at the site recreate the structure of theaters and the stage forms of theatrical performances of that time, and are among the most important physical materials for the history of theater discovered to date. At the same time, the three-dimensional sculptures of the Twenty-four Filial Exemplars discovered at the site are vivid in shape and graceful in posture, and are also precious works of art. The brick carvings of the Macun Brick Carving Tombs are exquisite and rich, and are of great value for the study of architecture, theater, social customs, ethics, and religious beliefs during the Song and Jin dynasties.

Qinglong Temple

Qinglong Temple is located in the west of Jishan County. It was built in the second year of Longshuo in the Tang Dynasty (662 AD). It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and has beautiful scenery.

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Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum

Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum is a large site museum built on the site of the Terracotta Army pits, which are located approx. 1.5 km east of the mound of Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum. In March 1974, farmers from Xiyang Village accidentally unearthed fragments of terracotta figures while digging a well, and archaeological exploration confirmed Pit 1; in 1976, Pits 2 and 3 were successively discovered to the north of Pit 1. This army, which had slumbered for over 2,000 years, was thus brought back to light, and the discovery of the Terracotta Army has been hailed as "one of the great discoveries in the history of 20th-century archaeology." Pit 1 is the main military formation among the three pits, stretching over 200 m from east to west, with an estimated 6,000 pottery figurines and horses buried inside. Standing at the edge and looking down, armored warrior figurines, war chariots, and pottery horses are arrayed eastward in battle formation. A closer look at each figure reveals different facial shapes, hairstyles, beards, and even hand gestures. The figurines were originally painted all over, but most of the paint has peeled off and discolored due to fire and long burial. Pit 2 is L-shaped, with crossbowmen, cavalry, and charioteers arranged in a mixed formation; the vividly expressive kneeling archer was unearthed here. Pit 3 is small in scale, and scholars believe the ceremonial guard figurines and war chariots unearthed there indicate it served as the command center—known in ancient times as a "military tent"—directing the formations in Pits 1 and 2. The bronze swords, pi halberds, spears, crossbow triggers, and large quantities of arrowheads unearthed from the pits—many still sharp after more than 2,000 years—demonstrate the sophistication of Qin dynasty metallurgy. The Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum and the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum at the foot of Mount Li were originally one integrated whole. After Qin Shi Huang ascended the throne at the age of 13, he began constructing the mausoleum, conscripting hundreds of thousands of laborers over a period spanning more than 30 years; the terracotta army, which replaced human sacrifice with figurines, served as the underground guard for this imperial mausoleum. To avoid the crowds during your visit, you might want to see Pit 3 and Pit 2 first, and then take your time to experience the awe-inspiring scene of Pit 1 last. After viewing the terracotta pits, you can also take the attraction's shuttle bus to Lishan Garden, where Emperor Qinshihuang's mausoleum is located; the Acrobats Pit, the Civil Officials Pit, and the Bronze Chariots and Horses Museum are all within the garden. The two painted bronze chariots and horses, cast at half the scale of real chariots, are exquisitely crafted with brilliantly gleaming gold and silver fittings, and are well worth a special trip to see.

Beixin Sheli Pagoda in Wanrong, Shanxi

The Beixin Relic Pagoda in Wanrong, Shanxi, was originally a subsidiary building of the Chongsheng Chan Temple, built in the 16th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1383). The temple has been destroyed, leaving only the pagoda. The pagoda is a three-story, bell-shaped brick structure, commonly known as a Lama pagoda, with a height of 21m. It has a square plan with a side length of 7.8m. The first and second stories are square, and the third story is a circular bell-shaped structure. The spire's rings have been destroyed. It has been designated as a fourth-batch Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the Provincial Level.

Jishan Jiwang Temple

Jishan Jiwang Temple is located in Jishan County, Yuncheng City. It was originally situated on Jiwang Mountain south of the county seat and is said to be the place where Houji taught the people how to farm. The main buildings include the Offering Hall and the Main Hall, with the Bell Tower and Drum Tower standing on either side. Jishan Jiwang Temple is renowned for its wood and stone carving art, with the decorative art on the pillars and balustrades being particularly exquisite.