Visit Changzhi, Shanxi in the summer, this county town is worth exploring

🌟In the southeast of Shanxi, there is an ancient city with a history of 2400 years that has never changed its name - Xiangyuan. It has also been named "China's Millennium Ancient County." Here, six national heritage sites and eleven provincial heritage sites are preserved. 🌟The ancient buildings in Xiangyuan are very concentrated, and you can visit all the ancient sites in the city in one day. 🚄You can choose Xiangyuan or Xiangyuan East Station. It is recommended to buy tickets for the East Station as it has more schedules. After arriving at the East Station, you can take a free bus to the city. It is recommended to stay near the City God Temple or Donghu, and you can complete a one-day tour by walking. 🌟The route is as follows: Wulong Temple➡️Yonghui Bridge➡️Guandi Temple➡️Wenmiao➡️Zhaozewang Temple➡️City God Temple ✅The first stop is Wulong Temple on the northernmost side. It is usually not open, but the cultural relics manager lives next door. You can call them, and they will come immediately with a very good attitude. Wulong Temple was rebuilt in the Yuan Dynasty and renovated in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The existing buildings mainly include the main hall from the Yuan Dynasty, the mountain gate from the Ming Dynasty, and the west wing room from the Qing Dynasty. Of course, the value of Wulong Temple, in my opinion, is not in its architecture but in its existence as one of the three most famous Wulong Temples in China. ✅Next to Wulong Temple is another national heritage site - Yonghui Bridge, built in the ninth year of the Jin Tianhui period. It is a north-south single-arch stone bridge and was once the only way to the north gate. The highlights are relatively ordinary, but you can focus on the dragons on both sides of the arch, the water-absorbing beasts, and the flower, character story, and auspicious beast reliefs on the railings. ✅Continue south to see several provincial heritage sites - Guandi Temple and Chongfu Temple. The highlights are also relatively ordinary, so you can just take a quick look. After that, go to see my favorite national heritage site in Xiangyuan - Xiangyuan Wenmiao. Xiangyuan Wenmiao was built during the Jin Tianhui period. According to the inscriptions in the temple, Xiangyuan Wenmiao was once very large in scale. The existing buildings only include Dacheng Hall, the west wing hall, and the library. The most precious part is the Dacheng Hall with five single-eave hanging mountain roofs. The materials are large, the structure is relatively gentle, and the eaves are deep, retaining the architectural styles of the Jin and Yuan Dynasties. ✅Next to Xiangyuan Wenmiao is another national heritage site - Zhaozewang Temple, which is a belief circle in the Zhuozhang River Basin in southeastern Shanxi. According to the "Xiangyuan County Chronicle" and other records, Zhaozewang was originally a folk hero in Xiangyuan during the Xiantong period of Tang Yizong. His common surname was Jiao, and his name was Wanglu. He was proficient in yin and yang, eliminated drought demons for the people, brought sweet rain, punished evil, and helped the good. He was worshipped and admired by the people and was conferred the title of "General of Wind and Thunder." The existing Zhaozewang Temple only includes the offering hall and the main hall. The main hall with five single-eave Xieshan roofs is a Yuan Dynasty relic. Be sure to look at the peacock blue glazed decorations on the front eaves arch wall. Such accessories are rare in southeastern Shanxi. ✅Finally, visit the City God Temple, which was once used as a school and has now been restored as the City God Temple. Pay special attention to the stage built in the early Ming Dynasty. The caisson above the stage is particularly beautiful. The stage is still in use today, and local dramas are performed during temple fairs. 🌟Although the ancient buildings in Xiangyuan are not very impressive in terms of grandeur, the city is not crowded with tourists, and walking quietly through the streets and alleys is very pleasant.