2025 Huozhou Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

Excellent works of Qing Dynasty murals in Shanxi are coming ||| The figures in the existing Qing Dynasty murals seem to be inferior to those of the previous dynasties, but they also have their own characteristics and are also excellent, such as the murals in the Holy Mother Hall of Huozhou Holy Mother Temple (Wahuang Temple) [ThumbsUp] The murals in Huozhou Holy Mother Temple are mainly distributed on the east and west walls of the Holy Mother Hall, with a total area of ​​about 70 square meters. They are excellent works of Qing Dynasty murals.  Features of murals: Content and subject matter: The theme is based on the myth of Nuwa, such as refining stones to mend the sky, kneading clay to create humans, and opening the sky and establishing the pole. At the same time, it incorporates a large number of social life scenes of the Qing Dynasty, such as court banquets, officials worshiping, and palace maids working, which perfectly blends myth and reality. Composition and layout: Adopting a panoramic composition, the characters are grouped together ingeniously using buildings, trees, etc., making the picture well-layered and appropriately dense, forming an organic whole. Painting techniques: - Use of lines: mostly orchid leaf drawing and iron wire drawing, the lines are smooth and natural, strong and powerful, and can vividly express the shape and charm of the characters. - Color matching: mainly mineral pigments such as red, blue, green, white and yellow. The colors are bright and lively, and still maintain a high saturation after hundreds of years. - Character modeling: The characters are plump, with strong and healthy bodies, and elegant and dignified temperaments. The characters' facial expressions are rich and varied, vividly showing the personality traits and psychological states of different characters. - Detail processing: The large and small images on the screen are handled meticulously, and the details of flowers, plants, houses, clothing, etc. are portrayed very delicately. The palaces, brothels, pavilions and terraces were drawn using a ruler, reflecting the superb painting skills. Don't miss it if you like it

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.

🗓Itinerary: Catholic Church - Drum Tower - Zhusheng Temple - Huozhou Office - Nuwa Temple - Guanyin Temple - Thousand Buddha Cliff 🚉Transportation Guide: Self-driving: Just navigate to each attraction. Note that parking is difficult at the Drum Tower and Thousand Buddha Cliff, and the road to Guanyin Temple is narrow. PS: The Catholic Church is not on the map, but you can navigate to Tongnian Tongyue Kindergarten. Bus: Catholic Church, Drum Tower, Zhusheng Temple, Huozhou Office: You can walk there. Nuwa Temple, Guanyin Temple: You can take Bus No. 1 (every 10 minutes) or a shared green electric bike. Thousand Buddha Cliff: Take a bus at Ganglou Bus Stop in the direction of Xin Zhi, tell the driver you are going to Thousand Buddha Cliff, and you will arrive in 15 minutes for CNY 4. 🌟Highlights: [Catholic Church] There are so many Catholic churches in Shanxi. This one by the Fen River is also very beautiful, but it was cloudy and the church was closed when I visited. [Drum Tower] Built in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the upper part of the tower is a three-story cross-hipped roof, and the two-story wooden pavilion is the essence. This is also the bustling city center of Huozhou. [Zhusheng Temple] A Ming Dynasty relic that was only upgraded to a national protected site in 2019, but the sign at the entrance is still a provincial protected site. The essence is outside. If you want to open the door, you can go to the row of houses on the right side of the main hall to find a monk. There are wooden chairs at the entrance of his house. [Huozhou Office] Mr. Liang Sicheng called it "an unparalleled architectural example of absurdity." It is the most well-preserved state-level office in China, and one of only three Yuan Dynasty halls in China. I didn't go in because of the bad weather. [Nuwa Temple] Recently under construction and closed, it has exquisite murals inside, clear springs outside, and champion culture. [Guanyin Temple] The navigation takes you to the small gate, the main gate is behind the alley on the right, and the unique opera stage outside is easily overlooked. [Thousand Buddha Cliff] Although it is a city-protected site, it is highly recommended. Please see the collection of articles below.

Located in Jia Village, Dazhang Town, Huozhou City, Linfen, Shanxi Province, there is a Nuwa Temple built in the Ming Dynasty. The inscription in the temple does not record the specific time of its construction, but only mentions that it was renovated in the fourth year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1865). Nuwa Temple faces south. The existing buildings on the central axis include a stage and the Hall of Our Lady of Nuwa from south to north. On the east and west sides are wing rooms and bell and drum towers. The Notre Dame Hall is the main hall, and the main purpose of going here is to see the Qing Dynasty murals inside. There are currently four murals in the main hall of Nuwa Temple, located on the east and west walls and on both sides of the north wall, with a total area of ​​about 71 square meters. Due to cultural protection issues, use cold light sources to illuminate the murals as much as possible. Among them, the murals on the east and west walls are the largest, each covering about 25 square meters. From the inscription on the mural, it can be seen that the painting was painted during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It lists the names of the Fenxi County painters and oil painters who painted the mural at that time. In the west wall, Nuwa is arranging her hair accessories. There is a bearded man on the left side of the lower part of the picture. The elder, with attendants holding crowns in front and followers holding canopies and barriers behind, should be Emperor Fuxi. There are two thrones at the back of the picture, which should represent the two gods Nuwa and Fuxi. The east wall depicts the busy and lively scene in the palace when Nuwa entertained hundreds of officials. The figures with crowns on their heads, "three from the left and five from the right" at the bottom of the picture, should be the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. The north wall shows the scene of maids preparing sacrifices, which is full of life. This time I went to Shanxi mainly to see the hanging sculptures and murals. Different from the hanging sculptures in Xiao Xitian, this one is a product of a later stage, and its appearance and charm are a little worse. However, if you are very interested in the content of the murals, it is still worth a look. . In addition, many scenic spots in Shanxi are not scenic spots, so in fact, they are cultural relic management types. They need a letter of introduction or find a guardian to protect the cultural relics management to open the door. Pay attention to communication skills. Otherwise it will be difficult to open the door!

This is the 2,467-meter-high ➡️Huzhou Qiliyu❗️ Navigation 🧭 Qiliyu Tickets only cost CNY 20💰 You can drive 🚗 up the mountain in this scenic spot. After entering the mountain, follow the winding mountain road all the way up and stop all the way. You can see all the scenery you want here😍 Drive along the road all the way to Wulong Gully. When you reach the trail🚶‍♀️, it's time to test your physical strength😇. It takes about 40 minutes to climb the mountain. ⏰ The most beautiful scene is the z-shaped trail in the jungle, just like a person walking in the autumn of Melbourne🥳 ⚠️Warm reminder: There is no food for sale on the mountain, so be sure to bring enough food. I didn't eat before going out and climbed the mountain directly. The scenery was so beautiful and I stayed for too long. Ah~🤔 I was so hungry😅 After reaching the top of the mountain, it was really cold. I have to say that it's cold at high places😆. I was shivering while enjoying the scenery and taking pictures📷 Of course, you should have more contact with nature and less entanglement with people. Qiliyu, which I have been thinking about, did not disappoint me✌️ In this season, it may not be the most beautiful❗️ But it must be the most brilliant🎆. Find a time to have an encounter with this mountain in this autumn🥰

Integrity brings clarity, honesty brings authority Huozhou Office The Huozhou Office is located on the north side of East Street in Huozhou City, Linfen, Shanxi Province. It was first built during the Tang Dynasty, covering an area of 21,400 square meters. The existing ancient buildings are cultural relics from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Whether in terms of location selection, architectural scale, overall layout, or design, it is the best-preserved ancient government office of its kind in China. It is the only known well-preserved ancient state-level office in China, embodying the wisdom and ingenuity of ancient Han laborers and shining as a brilliant pearl of Chinese historical culture, now radiating anew in Huozhou. The Huozhou Office is the only known well-preserved ancient state-level office in China. It was first built during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. During the Sui Dynasty, it only had military functions, but in the Tang Dynasty, it began to take on both administrative and military functions. The existing buildings are cultural relics from three different historical periods: the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. In 1996, it was announced as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council. The Huozhou Office covers a total area of 58,500 square meters, divided into three main architectural groups: the central axis, the east auxiliary line, and the west auxiliary line. However, due to historical reasons, most of the buildings on the east and west auxiliary lines no longer exist. The existing ancient buildings are mainly in the central axis part, covering an area of more than 21,000 square meters. The Huozhou Office, along with the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Zhili Governor's Office in Baoding, Hebei, and the Neixiang County Office in Henan, is known as one of the 'Four Major Ancient Government Offices' in China. Together, they form a series of ancient official cultures from the central to the local levels, possessing high research, appreciation, and protection value.

| Linfen Huozhou Qiliyu. A hidden summer resort in Shanxi—Linfen Huozhou Qiliyu Scenic Area (Navigate to the scenic area gate, the area is very large, you must drive in) Transportation: You must drive 🚗 in because the journey is very long... Special Experience: Picturesque scenery, beautiful mountains and rivers, very beautiful, every place you drive through is beautiful, the air is fresh, and it is refreshing There are many scattered attractions along the way, with streams flowing all the way, you can get off at any time to play by the water, the mountains and rivers are particularly cool, many people go swimming 🛟 (be sure to pay attention to safety) About halfway through the journey, you will see the rainbow 🌈 road, which is very beautiful and suitable for taking photos 📷 The ticket 🎫 is not expensive, it costs about ten yuan per person to enter the mountain, if you are a local, it can be cheaper, highly recommended go go go 💫

🌟 In the eastern suburbs of Huozhou, Shanxi, there is a small village where all of the more than 2,300 residents are from a locally famous 'Scholar Village', which has also been included in the fifth batch of China's traditional village list. In ancient times, this place was abundant with scholars and successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations, and today it continues to produce many university students, master's degree students, and doctoral students, maintaining the village's cultural lineage. This is Jiacun Village in Dazhang Town. 🌟 In addition to being a 'Scholar Village', the village also hides a national protected building - the Nuwa Temple. The architecture itself is quite ordinary, but the murals inside the hall are truly exceptional. 🌟 The Nuwa Temple is not considered a tourist attraction, but a national protected unit that is not usually open to the public. To enter, one must contact the cultural management staff. I was lucky when I visited; a few locals were going in to make offerings, and had contacted the cultural management staff early, so I was able to enter with them. This may just be the norm when visiting ancient buildings in Shanxi, entirely dependent on luck. 🌟 The existing Nuwa Temple is not very large in scale, mainly consisting of a stage, the Holy Mother of Nuwa Hall, and the bell and drum towers and side rooms on both sides. The biggest highlight is the central Holy Mother Hall. 🌟 The Holy Mother Hall is located behind the offering hall and is a single-eave hanging mountain top structure with a width of three bays and a depth of six rafters. The focus is on the murals inside the hall. 🌟 The themes of these murals are different from other places, mainly depicting the creation themes of Nuwa mending the sky with stones, creating humans from earth, and establishing the extremes of heaven, which are rare in the existing temple murals in China. 🌟 Painted during the Qing Dynasty, the total area of the murals reaches 71.17 square meters. The overall composition is panoramic, using buildings and trees to arrange the characters in the scene. Although there are many figures, they are well-ordered, and the murals also blend mythological legends with the social life of the time, making it an excellent place to understand the life of the Qing Dynasty people. 🌟 On the east wall, this 24 square meter mural comprehensively depicts the scene of the Holy Mother Nuwa handling affairs. The Holy Mother Nuwa sits in the center, flanked by a maid and two civil officials on each side. On the platform above, there are the Five Emperors wearing imperial crowns and robes. Below the steps, a group of palace ladies whisper or walk between the various halls. 🌟 The content on the rear eave wall includes 'The Imperial Kitchen Picture' and 'The Banquet Preparation Picture', mainly showing the scene of palace ladies from the imperial kitchen preparing meals and banquets. 🌟 On the west wall, the Holy Mother of Nuwa, wearing a phoenix crown, stands in the middle, with palace ladies holding feather brooms and attendants holding palace fans on both sides. Nearby are various deities coming to offer congratulations. 🚌 Transportation options: 🌟 From the Huozhou city area, take bus No. 1 to the entrance of the village, and it's a 10-minute walk into the village. The Nuwa Temple is not big, but the Nuwa-themed murals are quite distinctive. If you're traveling to Huozhou, consider taking half a day to visit.

3 hours from Taiyuan Rainbow Highway is really beautiful This is a beautiful sight that you can see even without going to Xinjiang! Tickets 🆓 You can drive up there without climbing a mountain! ⛺️Qiliyu International Camping Base 📍Huozhou Qiliyu Forest Park

The Huozhou Government Office, established during the Tang Dynasty, was once the residence of the Tang dynasty official Wei Chi Gong, and later became a government office. It has gone through the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and is the only known ancient provincial government office in China that has been preserved relatively intact, with a history of over 1300 years. The Huozhou Government Office is collectively referred to as one of the 'Four Great Ancient Government Offices of China,' along with the Forbidden City Museum in Beijing, the Governor's Office in Baoding, Hebei, and the County Government Office in Neixiang, Henan. ❤❤Most noteworthy historical sites: ✅✅1. The Main Hall of the Government Office The Main Hall was originally built during the Tang Dynasty. The existing hall, built in the eighth year of Yuan Dade (1304), predates the Forbidden City by more than a hundred years. It is a masterpiece of Yuan Dynasty architectural art and has been listed as a typical representative with completely preserved wooden components in the history of ancient Chinese architecture. Its structural form has been praised by architectural experts Liang Sicheng and Lin Wei Yin as 'an unparalleled comical example in architecture'. ✅✅2. The Treasures of the Town Office The 'Six Pillar Hundred Dragon Bed' and the 'Hundred Bird Facing the Phoenix Multitreasure Pavilion' are collectively known as 'Auspicious Dragon and Phoenix'. Not only are the carvings exquisite, but the craftsmanship is also superb. The drawers in the Multitreasure Pavilion, despite hundreds of years, still open and close smoothly without any noise. ✅✅3. Other structures include the Tang Dynasty stone tigers, Yuan Dynasty stone lions, Ming Dynasty Qiao Tower, ceremonial gate, examination rooms, and inner residences. ✅📍Tips: 1. Huozhou Government Office ticket price: 40 RMB per adult, free for those over 60 with ID card scan at the gate. 2. Visitors can pick up a free brochure introducing the 'Huozhou Government Office' at the tourist service center. 3. Hiring a guide for a tour can make the visit more meaningful.

From Pingyao, Jiexiu and Lingshi to the next stop Huozhou, this is a rare place Although there are not many existing ancient buildings in the mentioned places and they are not as well-known as the surrounding cities, they are worth a visit since they are passing by. The main ancient buildings in Huozhou include Drum Tower, Zhusheng Temple, Huozhou Office, Wahuang Temple, Guanyin Temple, etc. The first three are very close to each other, so I went to the first three places this time. Huozhou Drum Tower The landmark building of Huozhou, the eighth batch of national cultural heritage units, is located in the center of the cross street in the city. It was built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and renovated. It has red bricks and green tiles with exquisite craftsmanship. It has floor-to-ceiling pillars on the first floor and hanging lotus pillars on the second floor. Rest on the top of the mountain. Vehicles are constantly flowing around the Drum Tower every day, and many Huozhou people pass by it many times a day. It is an ancient building that is alive in the city, and it shines brightly in the sunset. consecrated temple In an alley not far from the Drum Tower, the eighth batch of national key cultural relics protection units currently consists of the main hall and the back hall, with side halls and ear halls on both sides. It is a relic of the Ming Dynasty. The main hall is five rooms wide and three rooms deep. A single eaves hangs over the top of the mountain. However, stone bricks have been piled up in the square area in front of the Main Hall, which affects the look and feel. The overall feeling is that no one is taking care of it. You can stop by and take a look when you come to Huozhou. It won't take long. Huozhou Department It is considered to be the top ancient architectural complex in Huozhou. The state office of the fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units is the ancient state-level office. It is the highest local administrative agency. The Huozhou office is responsible for both administrative and military functions. Empress Dowager Cixi also He took refuge here. Among them, the Qinmin Hall of Zhouxu University is the highlight. It is the only remaining Yuan Dynasty structure in the government office. It was called "a unique example of funny architecture" by Mr. Liang Sicheng. The other buildings are Ming and Qing Dynasty structures and modern reconstructions. Huozhou Drum Tower

1: HuoZhou Government Office, along with the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Governor's Office in Baoding, Hebei, and the County Yamen in Neixiang, Henan, are collectively known as the 'Four Great Ancient Government Offices of China'. 2: On May 25, 2006, the Empress Wa Temple was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

It is a fine Hong Kong-style hot pot with a fine wine. One person, one pot, one pot and one special. The meat is fat and not greasy, the beef is tender, the pure taste of the treasures in the sea, the organic vegetables, the delicate noodles, the deliciousness and nutrition in one pot; and the price is not unattainable, the box environment is indeed tall, There is a large table for 16 people, the service is intimate and high quality, it is very suitable for banquets. There is a Satay signature pot and a spicy tempting pot at the bottom of the pot. Each has its own characteristics and is chosen according to personal taste. Meat Hot pot is the world that all kinds of meat dominates. A royal cow, as its name suggests, is the main beef. The quality of meat is extremely high. The freshness of color texture is the best among similar meats. Just need to gently rub for about twenty seconds, the color of the meat can be eaten. There are also many kinds of meat selection, such as snowflake fat cow, phased fat cow, one product sheep brain, snow flake pork, and supreme sun roll. Bleu Bleu fry, the plate is exquisite, the fish fillet is cut very thin, you can eat it in a few times, fresh and not awkward, really not to be missed. A Sibao pill hand-made high-quality meatballs, namely beef, fish, shrimp balls, meatballs, each with three, value for money. The final finale of shaved ice is also very pleasant, red beans, mung beans, round, pearls, etc., and not to mention the colorful visual effects, it is more delicate to taste, cool down.