2024 Linfen Tour: Huozhou.

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.