[2025 Yuncheng Attraction] Travel Guide for Chishen Temple (Updated Feb)

If you enjoy exploring lesser-known historical sites, the Yuncheng Pool God Temple is a must-see! Located in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, it's the only Pool God Temple in China, steeped in thousands of years of salt pond culture and rich history. As you enter the temple, you'll be greeted by ancient architecture, with its eaves and brackets bearing the marks of time. The magnificent central hall, "Lingqing Hall," houses the God of the Salt Pond, inspiring awe and reverence for the ancient salt industry. Strolling through the temple grounds, you'll discover numerous inscriptions that chronicle the rise and fall of the salt ponds, each stroke seemingly whispering stories of the past. What's more, the temple is relatively uncrowded, allowing you to immerse yourself in history and capture atmospheric photos.📷

Yuncheng is a hidden gem of a tourist city located in southern Shanxi. Not only is it affordable, but it also has many attractions. Check out this one-day tour guide for Yuncheng. First stop Salt Lake is the most stunning natural landscape in Yuncheng. If Dali has Erhai Lake, Yuncheng has Salt Lake. The blue lake water gives this inland city the illusion of being by the sea. Ride along Salt Lake, stroll along the salt flats, and admire the colorful Salt Lake. Free Second stop Visit the old street of the South City Wall by the Salt Lake River and the Salt Lake Museum to learn about the history of salt culture in Yuncheng. Third stop The Pool God Temple was built in the Tang Dynasty. It is a symbol of the ancient people's worship of natural gods and the inheritance of salt culture. The Pool God Temple is a well-preserved ancient temple site. The layout of the three courtyards and the style of the three main halls arranged side by side are also a major feature of the Pool God Temple. Fourth stop Visit Gu Street, themed around salt culture and Guan Gong culture, and visit the Yuan Dynasty Guan Wang Temple and the Qing Dynasty Bell and Drum Tower. At night, there is a food night market street where you can taste authentic Yuncheng flavors. Food recommendations: Roujiamo, Yangrou Paomo, and Dapanji

I've been to Yuncheng several times before, and this trip was mainly to visit some of the attractions I missed, and to revisit some of the popular ancient buildings. First, I went to the Chi Shen Temple in the city center, which is now a national key cultural relics protection unit. The Chi Shen Temple was first built in the 12th year of the Tang Dynasty's Dali calendar to commemorate the god who bestowed salt. The Chi Shen has been given many titles throughout the dynasties, and the main buildings that exist today are from the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. It is also an important historical landmark of Yuncheng's salt industry. The main buildings of the temple are the three main halls: Lingqing Gong Shen Temple (Chi Shen), Rain Master Sun God Temple (Sun God), and Tiaoshan Wind Cave God Temple (Wind God). The statues in the halls are modern, and the temple is a unique sacrificial temple with distinctive regional characteristics. It is the only one of its kind in China and is known as a unique temple in China. Another highlight is the distant view of the salt lake, which is separated from the salt lake by a road. The location is relatively high, so it's a good place to take photos. Scenic spot tickets: 30 yuan, there is a combined ticket for Chi Shen Temple + Museum + City Wall for 39.9 yuan. If you can stay in Yuncheng for a few days, it is recommended to buy an annual pass (128 yuan, can be bought by non-locals). Located on the edge of the salt pool in the city center, you can choose to take a bus/taxi/shared bicycle, etc. At night, the Zhongjinmen area is quite nice to stroll around.

| The Millennium Ode of Yuncheng Chi Temple. 🌊 Exploring the Temple of Salt | The Millennium Ode of Yuncheng Chi Temple 🌊 🌟 Recommended Index: ★★★★★ 📜 Historical Echoes: "The southern wind blows gently, soothing the people's grievances; the southern wind blows timely, enriching the people's wealth." In Yuncheng, Shanxi, there is a unique temple in the country—the Chi Temple. Here, you can not only overlook the magnificent scenery of the salt lake but also feel the ancient charm of Emperor Shun playing the qin and singing the "Southern Wind Song." 🏛️ The Chi Temple is the only temple in China dedicated to the "God of the Salt Pool." The main hall consists of three major halls—the Chi God Hall, the Sun God Hall, and the Wind God Hall, symbolizing the salt pool, the sun, and the wind. These three natural forces are key elements in traditional salt production and are the main deities worshipped in the Chi Temple. The three halls are arranged in a unique architectural layout that is extremely rare among existing temples. 📆 Built in the 12th year of the Dali era of the Tang Dynasty (777 AD), the temple was named "Baoying Lingqing" by Emperor Daizong of Tang, Li Yu, due to the miraculous appearance of "red salt" in the salt pool. The temple was built to honor the Chi God, who was titled "Lingqing Gong." 🏰 The main buildings of the three halls are arranged in a row from west to east: the Wind God Shrine, the Chi God Shrine, and the Sun God Shrine. The Chi God Shrine, also known as the Lingqing Gong Shrine, was bestowed by Emperor Daizong of Tang. The existing main building dates back to the 14th year of the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, with five bays and a double-eaved hip roof. 🌞 The main hall of the Chi Temple consists of the Lingqing Gong Shrine, the Rain Master Sun God Shrine, and the Tiaoshan Wind Cave Shrine. Inside the halls, the Chi God, the Sun God, and the Wind God are worshipped, reflecting the close relationship between salt production and the sun and wind. 🎭 The unique stage, with seven bays, is designed for "three-part singing," facing the three main halls. It is the only one of its kind in the country and one of the few remaining Yuan Dynasty stages. There is a passage below for people to pass through, which also enhances the sound effect, showcasing ingenious design. 📸 Come to Yuncheng Chi Temple and experience this unique historical charm. Let the millennium ode of salt shine again through your lens!

Yuncheng city really amazed me. I had only heard about the warm hospitality of the people in Shanxi, and it's true!! Due to limited time, I just wandered around to get a feel for the local customs. I only visited some places close to where I was staying, and there are many attractions I didn't get to photograph. But the impression it left was really great. The locals are particularly warm, and everyone makes you feel like they're your own aunt or uncle. The food portions are huge and delicious! You must visit the morning market~ a paradise of carbs haha, Yongji is also great~ the beef dumplings are so fragrant~ and the dumpling soup is also amazing! We ordered a two-person serving of big plate chicken and couldn't finish it, and there are many other delicious foods that are very affordable. The spicy hot pot I tried was also good! Xinghe Night Market~ you can't go wrong with any stall you choose! Overall, the experience was very good. Next time, I'll definitely go on a road trip. The attractions are quite scattered, so it's more convenient to drive. Highlight! The UV rays are strong~ my friends who went had done their sun protection, and I've already tanned two shades. The homestay I stayed at was also nice~ the environment was very cozy, and the room was very clean... About the sightseeing route: Catholic Church, Guanwang Temple Street, Drum Tower 1. A super number of people are taking pictures at the Catholic Church. 2. You can enter Guanwang Temple directly by swiping your ID card. 3. There are comedy shows in the ancient street every night, which are free to listen to and acceptable. About accommodation I stayed at the Yellow River Building, but you can also choose the nearby Yado. Personally, I think the beds here are so hard! Chi Shen Temple, China's Dead Sea, 1. The exterior of Chi Shen Temple is quite nice to look at, and you can buy tickets directly from a group, but I didn't go in because I feel temples are all similar. Those interested can go in and have a look. 2. It's really worth it to visit the Dead Sea salt pools! I picked the right time, from 5:30 to 6:00 you can see the sunset. There were people taking wedding photos, and others purely enjoying the sunset. It was so beautiful, the last time I saw such a beautiful sunset was in Tangqi Ancient Town in Hangzhou.