Guangyuan Huangze Temple, a glimpse of the true face of Empress Wu Zetian

Huangze Temple, located in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, is the only temple dedicated to China's only female emperor, Wu Zetian. Founded in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, the temple developed continuously through the Northern Zhou, Sui, and early Tang dynasties, gradually expanding in scale. After Wu Zetian proclaimed herself emperor, she named it 'Huangze' to commemorate her birthplace in Guangyuan, which means 'Imperial Grace is vast and benefits the hometown.' The temple has a history of over 1,500 years. Huangze Temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, preserving many cultural relics, including the true image of Empress Wu Zetian from the Tang Dynasty and cliff carvings ranging from the Northern Wei to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The carvings began in the late Northern Wei period, lasting through the Northern Zhou, Sui, and Tang dynasties, for over three hundred years. The temple also houses stone carvings from Song dynasty tombs excavated in Guangyuan.