Check in at Hancheng Jiulang Temple, a Yuan Dynasty ancient building and the site of the Orphan of Zhao

📍Jiulang Temple in Hancheng, Shaanxi Province, is located within the ancient city of Hancheng. Walk north along Jincheng Street, where clear road signs guide you. Follow the signs and turn at the corner to reach the destination. See photos 15-16 for details. 🌟 It’s hardly a “proper” tourist spot; the main gate is locked, and you need to enter through the side gate. The hall doors are closed with no staff on duty, and the added tourist facilities are covered in dust. 📍“Jiulang” is actually a homophone; “Jiu” means “rescue.” This is the site where the story of the Orphan of Zhao took place, witnessing over 2,000 years of traditional loyalty and righteousness culture. 👉 During the Spring and Autumn period, the Zhao family was a prominent clan in the Jin state. The powerful minister Tu Anjia falsely accused the Zhao family of treason, launched a coup, and exterminated the entire clan. Zhao Shuo’s son, Zhao Wu, known as the Orphan of Zhao, was saved with the help of Gongsun Chujiu, Cheng Ying, and others, eventually avenging the family. However, its external simplicity is not its defining feature; the cultural depth is its enduring essence. 📍Hancheng Jiulang Temple is a nationally protected cultural heritage site. It was originally built during the Song Dynasty’s Yuanfeng era (1078-1085), rebuilt in the Yuan Dynasty’s Dade 8th year (1304), and underwent repairs during the Ming and Qing dynasties. ✅ Currently, only the Yiyinghou Hall is well preserved, facing south. Highlights include: 👉 Yiyinghou Hall is a Yuan Dynasty structure, very simple and ancient. The hall has five bays and features a single-eave Xieshan roof covered with glazed tiles, solemn yet magnificent. 👉 On both sides of the main ridge are huge dragon gargoyles with wide-open eyes and mouths swallowing the ridge. The ridge finial is a three-story pavilion imitating wooden structures, topped with divine beasts carrying lotus seats and gourds. Additionally, blooming flowers and dragon patterns decorate the main ridge. Especially on sunny days, the colors are bright and dazzling. 👉 Various beams, brackets, and arches are adorned with exquisite painted patterns, including cranes, auspicious clouds, and flowers. 👉 On both sides of the hall door stand two iron lions of unknown age, imposing and majestic. There are also two steles: one erected in the 27th year of the Ming Wanli era (1599) and another in the 7th year of the Qing Xianfeng era (1857). 📌 Admission: Free 🕓 Visit duration: about half an hour ❗️ The nearby Sansheng Temple is also closed.