[2025 Jiexiu Attraction] Travel Guide for Jiexiu Houtu Temple (Updated Apr)

The people of Shanxi are so tight-lipped, no one actually recommends this glazed city‼️|||I've been to many cities in Shanxi, but this time, Jiexiu in Shanxi has shocked me once again 😱shocked😱me‼️ Jiexiu in Shanxi, known as the "Hometown of Chinese Glazed Ceramics," has a long history of firing glazed ceramics, which flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties! The glazed buildings in Jiexiu are unique in the world‼️ In addition, the exquisiteness and shock of Jiexiu's ancient buildings are definitely no less than any other city in Shanxi. [Must-Visit in Jiexiu] ✅ Wuyue Temple No entrance fee/Direct access by small electric scooter from the city center Currently not open [Not Open] Drones can be flown, pay attention to "obstacle avoidance" and "safety" ✅ Houtu Temple No entrance fee/Direct access from the city center Towering Chiwen, pavilions, lotus ridge tiles, and mythical beasts on the roof of the hall. 1️⃣ Walk straight in and look back to capture a deep frame composition 2️⃣ Look back from the third small house, use 24/35 focal length, frame composition, with the dragon sculpture door as the foreground, and the glazed dragon 🐲 as the center point composition. 3️⃣ Use the "a door" as the foreground frame composition in the second small house with a focal length of 70. Have people stand in the middle and take a photo with the glazed dragon 🐲. ✅ Xianshen Tower (Fire worship, Zoroastrianism مزدیسنا) The only architectural relic, known as one of the "Three Famous Towers of Shanxi" along with Wanrong Feiyun Tower and Qiufeng Tower. ✅Jiexiu Museum There is a very cute and adorable dog, and there are 4 glazed Qilin at the entrance ✅ Dongyue Temple ❗️ The sixth batch of national treasures, with Zhong Kui's portrait painted on the side of the door, a blue dragon 🐉 painted on the left wall, and a white tiger painted on the right wall. The main hall has a statue of the Great Emperor of Dongyue and murals [The Great Emperor of Dongyue Going on an Inspection Tour] and [Returning to the Palace]. The cultural relics master said that they are murals from the Ming Dynasty. The Holy Mother Palace in the back hall has murals and colored sculptures in the room. 1️⃣ Use a 20 focal length and use the stage as the foreground to frame the "Xian Pavilion" as the center point composition. 2️⃣ (10 yuan per person to the old man) ✅Taihe Rock Archway (Glazed Archway) The sixth batch of national treasures. There are only 13 existing glazed archways in China, 12 of which are in Beijing Chengde, and only one is located in Jiexiu, Shanxi. Moreover, the one in Jiexiu is the largest and most beautiful, and is known as the "Crown of Chinese Glazed Archways". 🚅Jiexiu is 1.5H away from Taiyuan by car and 45 minutes by high-speed train. 🏃🏻The routes in the city are close to each other, so you can take a Citywalk 🚘Routes outside the city require self-driving or chartered car (Dongyue Temple ➕ Glazed Archway) 💰Free of charge except for Zhangbi Ancient Castle, Mianshan Mountain, Lingkong Tower, and Hongji Tower Holiday travel guide

I've taken my mom to many countries and cities before. I'll also release a video version, which will present a more detailed travel experience. Welcome everyone to stay tuned! 🥰Overall Impression: "Return from Jiexiu, see no more glazed pottery." Compared to Pingyao, Jiexiu, the "Glazed Pottery Capital of China," is less well-known, but it boasts the Aoshen Tower, one of the "Three Famous Towers of Shanxi," and the Houtu Temple, known as the "Museum of Glazed Pottery Art," both still vibrant after thousands of years. I recommend everyone to visit this colorful small city! Surprise! The Lingkong Tower has no stairs from the fourth floor upwards. You have to use both hands and feet to climb vertically up and down. I admire myself for climbing to the ninth floor! 📖Guide is here! 🚝Transportation: Train, Beijing Fengtai - Jiexiu East, 4 hrs 🏨Accommodation: Mehood Lestie Hotel near Beitan Middle Road 🍜Specialties: Lao Jiexiu Restaurant, Zuima Zhanpianze Daquan 🚕: Ride-hailing apps are available, but there are no private cars, only taxis, which are easy to hail. The drivers I met were all very nice. ❌This is not the case now! (Except for museums, other attractions are closed from 12:00-14:30) 🥰My Slow Travel Itinerary D1: Take the high-speed rail to Jiexiu East Station, take a taxi to the ancient city, check in, and have Jiexiu cuisine for dinner. D2: (Taxi) Taiheyan Archway → (Taxi back) Houtu Temple → (Walk) Wuyue Temple (currently closed) → (Walk) Jiexiu City God Temple → (Walk) Aoshen Tower → (Walk) Jiexiu Museum → Dinner D3: (Taxi) Lingkong Tower → (Taxi) Zhangbi Ancient Fortress → Take the high-speed rail back to Beijing in the afternoon ☺️Recommended One-Day Itinerary: (Taxi) Taiheyan Archway → (Taxi back) Houtu Temple → (Walk) Wuyue Temple (currently closed) → (Walk) Jiexiu City God Temple → (Walk) Aoshen Tower → (Walk) Jiexiu Museum → (Taxi) Lingkong Tower → (Taxi) Zhangbi Ancient Fortress 🎫Tickets: All free, ID registration required at the entrance. Zhangbi Ancient Fortress: 75 📍Taiheyan Archway Originally the front archway of the Zhenwu Temple (now destroyed), located in Beixinwu Village, Yian Town, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. Built in the 23rd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1897). The archway is richly decorated and is a typical masterpiece of Chinese glazed pottery art during its Ming and Qing Dynasty heyday. 📍Houtu Temple A Quanzhen Taoist temple, the original construction date is unknown, with written records dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It is a rare gem of Ming and Qing Dynasty pavilion-style architecture and was listed as a fifth-batch national protected site in 2001. It is known as the "Museum of Glazed Pottery Art." 📍Aoshen Tower Originally built in the Northern Song Dynasty, it is the only remaining Zoroastrian building in China. It was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty and is known as one of the "Three Famous Towers of Shanxi" along with the Qiufeng Tower and Feiyun Tower in Wanrong County. It was listed as a fourth-batch national protected site in 1996. Zoroastrianism, also known as fire worship, is an ancient religion that has disappeared. This tower is said to have been built by the Confucian minister Wen Yanbo during the Northern Song Dynasty. 📍City God Temple Built during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, it is a well-preserved ancient wooden building and was listed as a seventh-batch national protected site in 2013. 📍Wuyue Temple Originally built in the Ming Dynasty, the roof ridges are decorated with glazed pottery, primarily in peacock blue. It was listed as a sixth-batch national protected site in 2006. Unfortunately, it was closed. 📍Lingkong Tower Also known as Gugu Shen Tower and Longfeng Tower, it is located near Longfeng Village. Nine stories high, stairs lead to the third floor. From the fourth floor onwards, you need to climb straight up and down, which is challenging but definitely worth it! 📍Zhangbi Ancient Fortress Backed by Mianshan Mountain, it is higher in the south and lower in the north, forming a rectangle. Looking down from the north of the fortress, there are three deep gullies extending downwards on the left, middle, and right. There are three external passages to the south of the fortress. To the west is Yaowan Gully, with steep cliffs and slopes more than 30 meters deep. The east side overlooks the surroundings, with gullies and trenches as barriers, making it "easy to defend and difficult to attack, with escape routes." The streets and alleys are clearly structured, with shops and ancient houses on both sides. The most famous is the Khan Shrine. Existing temples include the Kongwang Shrine and the Guan Di Temple. The Zhangbi Ancient Fortress has a network of underground tunnels, forming an underground military defense system.

Hey guys, here's a super fun guide to Jiexiu✨ I went to Jiexiu a while ago and fell in love with it! Now I'm sharing my treasure guide with you👇 Preparation Check the weather in advance🌤 Prepare comfortable sneakers👟 Bring your camera, Jiexiu's beauty is worth capturing📷 Don't forget sunscreen and rain gear. Transportation Guide It's super convenient to take the high-speed train to Jiexiu East Station. After getting off the train, you can take a taxi or bus to the city center. You can also take a taxi or ride a shared e-bike🛵 Super convenient. Ticket Information Many attractions can be booked online in advance, such as Mianshan Scenic Area. Buying tickets in advance can save time and may even offer discounts😎 Attractions - Mianshan: The scenery is amazing, with a perfect blend of natural and cultural landscapes. There is a spectacular cliffside walkway, which is super exciting to walk on😱 There are also ancient temples with a strong historical flavor. - Zhangbi Ancient Castle: A thousand-year-old castle with a dual military defense system above and below ground. Walking through the alleys is like traveling through time🧐 - Houtu Temple: The glazed architecture is stunning and colorful. As a Taoist temple, it carries a deep historical and cultural heritage, and is great for photos📸 Food Exploration - Jiexiu Guanmian Sugar: Sweet and crispy, with a mouthful of sesame flavor, it is a traditional specialty of Jiexiu and a must-try😍 - Jiexiu Fried Sausage: Unique taste, with garlic vinegar sauce, sour and spicy, you'll love it at first bite🥣 Local Customs The people of Jiexiu are warm and hospitable, and you can feel the strong Shanxi flavor here. There are also lively temple fairs every year, with various folk performances, which are very lively🎉 Travel Route Planning Day 1: Go to Mianshan in the morning and spend the whole day immersed in the beautiful scenery; return to the city center in the evening to try some local food. Day 2: Visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle, and go to Houtu Temple in the afternoon to experience the charm of history and art. Guys, this is a great way to enjoy Jiexiu, so get ready😘

Jiexiu Houtu Temple is an ancient Quanzhen Taoist temple complex located at No. 99 Miaodi Street, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. It is known as the "Glass Art Museum" and is a national key cultural relic protection unit. Hou Tu, also known as the Holy Mother, is the goddess in charge of population, fertility, land, mountains, rivers and all living things, and is known as the Mother of the Earth. Hou Tu Temple was first built before the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Most of the existing buildings were renovated during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty to the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, and are at least 1,500 years old. The temple faces south and is more than 120 meters long from north to south and nearly 100 meters wide from east to west. It covers a total area of ​​9,196 square meters and has a construction area of ​​2,206 square meters. It is the largest and best preserved royal palace-style temple among the Houtu temples in my country. The Hou Tu Temple complex is magnificent and exquisitely constructed. It adopts the traditional Chinese deep courtyard structure, and is surrounded by three axes: two vertical axes from north to south and one horizontal axis from east to west, forming a closed building complex. The west longitudinal axis is the main axis, which is connected by the screen wall, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Protector of the Dharma, the Hall of Offerings, the Three Pure Ones Building, and the Hall of the Holy Mother of Hou Tu. The other vertical axis is composed of the Hou Tu Temple mountain gate, the passing hall, and the Niangniang Hall. Towards the east, Lu Zu Pavilion, Guandi Temple and Tushen Temple are arranged horizontally in sequence, forming the third axis inside the temple. There is a stage in front of each of the three temples. The three stages are well preserved and connected together, and are called the "Three Connected Stages." In addition to the exquisite architectural complex, Hou Tu Temple also has two other highlights: the gorgeous colored glaze and the exquisite colored sculptures and hanging sculptures. There are more than a thousand Ming Dynasty colored sculptures on display in the Hou Tu Temple complex, distributed in the mountain gate, the Dharma Protector Hall, the Sanqing Hall and the two corridors, covering all the registered gods of Taoism. The "Ten Thousand Saints Paying Homage to the Origin" painted sculptures in the Sanqing Hall and its two corridors depict the spectacular scene of Taoist immortals paying homage to their main deity. The "Three Pure Ones" and "Four Emperors" are enshrined in the Sanqing Hall. There are two corridors on the east and west sides of the Sanqing Hall. The east one is the "Holy Mother Hall", which enshrines the "Taiyuan Holy Mother", and the west one is the "West King Pavilion", which enshrines the "West Queen Mother" and four maids. They were sculpted in the Ming Dynasty, and the sculpting technique still retains the lingering charm of Song and Yuan Dynasty colored sculptures (included in the "Complete Collection of Chinese Art·Sculpture"). Nearly a thousand Taoist immortals are enshrined in the east and west corridors, each of which is led by an immortal riding a beast and "paying homage to the origin", forming a fairyland full of religious mystery. The colored glaze of Hou Tu Temple is lifelike and vivid in shape, and colorful. Every tower and pavilion in the ancient building complex is decorated with exquisite glazed tiles, which is magnificent, magnificent, golden and colorful. The Houtu Hall is covered with golden colored glaze, which is elegant and magnificent; the top of the Sanqing Temple is dominated by blue and green colored glaze, which is solemn and dignified; the four colored glaze screen walls of "Qilin Making Trouble with Eight Treasures", "Two Dragons Making Trouble in the Sea", "Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate" and "Penglai Fairy Pavilion" are the most exquisite works of glass art in Houtu Temple, reflecting the superb detailed depiction skills of glass making. The glazed tiles have exquisite ridge decorations, beasts with owls' noses and tails, immortals and auspicious birds, as well as numerous bats, green grass, pine trees, magpies, Ganoderma lucidum, lions, unicorns, dragons, lotus, peonies, pomegranates, grapes and other components. They are exquisitely designed and lifelike in shape, with fine and firm glaze that has not changed color for hundreds of years. Hou Tu Temple is known as the "Chinese Colored Glass Art and Architectural Museum" because of the variety and color of colored glaze. The use of yellow glazed tiles, which symbolize imperial power, in ancient buildings shows the dignity of Hou Tu Niangniang and the feudal emperors' piety and admiration for her. The tourist resources around Hou Tu Temple are relatively rich and each has its own characteristics. The famous scenic spots include Wuyue Temple, City God Temple, Confucian Temple, Mawang Temple, Shigong Tower, Shuangfushou, Museum, Zoroastrianism Tower, etc.

The Jiexiu Houtu Temple complex is a large-scale and magnificent group of ancient Quanzhen Taoist temples, located on Miaodi Street in Jiexiu City. According to the inscriptions on the temple stele, it was first built before the Southern Dynasties, at least 1,500 years ago. The temple faces south and is more than 120 meters long from north to south and nearly 100 meters wide from east to west. It covers a total area of ​​9,196 square meters and has a construction area of ​​2,206 square meters. Most of the existing buildings were renovated during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty to the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It is the largest and best preserved royal palace-style temple among the Houtu temples in my country. The buildings in the temple are grand in scale and the halls and pavilions are magnificent. The architectural layout is compact and interconnected, forming a closed building complex surrounded by three axes: two vertical axes running from north to south and one horizontal axis running from east to west. The west longitudinal axis is the main axis, which is connected by the screen wall, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Protector of the Dharma, the Hall of Offerings, the Three Pure Ones Building, and the Hall of the Holy Mother of Hou Tu. To the east of the main axis, there is another longitudinal axis, which consists of the Hou Tu Temple Gate, the Passing Hall, and the Niangniang Hall. To the east, Lu Zu Pavilion, Guandi Temple and Tushen Temple are arranged horizontally in sequence, thus forming the third axis inside the temple. In front of each of the three temples there is a corresponding stage. The three stages are well preserved and connected as one, and are called the "Three Connected Stages." There are nearly a thousand colored sculptures, more than twenty inscriptions, and a wooden plaque with gold characters in the temple. Hou Tu Temple

Because Liuli knows Jiexiu Jiexiu One-Day City Walk Route Hou Tu Temple→Cheng Huang Temple→Zao Shen Tower→Jiexiu Museum I didn't go to the Taiheyan Archway which is a little further away. 1⃣Houtu Temple It is a Taoist Quanzhen Sect temple building. The main buildings include Sanqing Building, Houtu Temple, Guandi Temple, Tushen Temple, etc. The roof of the entire building is decorated with blue, yellow and green glazed products, which sparkle in the sun. 💰Tickets: Free. Enter with your Mainland China ID card. If you don’t have your Mainland China ID card, just register. 🕙 Closed on Monday 2⃣Chenghuang Temple It takes more than ten minutes to walk from Hou Tu Temple to Cheng Huang Temple. The overall layout of the City God Temple is grand in scale and complete in form. The screen wall, mountain gate, ceremonial gate, stage, offering hall, main hall, and rear sleeping hall are arranged in sequence along the central axis, with bell and drum towers on both sides. The exquisite glazed components on the roof of the building are the few Ming Dynasty relics that still exist in Jiexiu. The glazed ridge tiles, the beast-shaped owl tails, the immortals and animals, and the pavilion vases are perfect in both color glaze and shape, and have high cultural relic and artistic value. 💰Tickets: Free, just register with your Mainland China ID card 🕙 Closed on Monday 3⃣Ao Shen Lou It takes about a quarter of an hour to walk from Chenghuang Temple to Ao Shen Tower. It is the only ancient Zoroastrian building preserved in China. 4⃣Jiexiu Museum Ao Shen Lou is a five-minute walk from Jiexiu Museum. Time was a bit tight, so I mainly went to the basement to see the glass The super cute yellow glazed beast is also here, with round eyes and furrowed brows. 💰Tickets: Free, just register with your Mainland China ID card 🕙 Closed on Monday

Hou Tu Temple is located in the north of Jiexiu City. It is an ancient temple with a long history and profound cultural heritage🛕. The unique architectural style of Hou Tu Temple is magnificent, which makes people marvel at the superb ancient architectural art! Entering the Hou Tu Temple, the first thing that catches your eye is a tall archway with exquisite patterns carved on it. Passing through the archway 🚏, there is a magnificent hall 🏛️, in which is enshrined the statue of Hou Tu Niangniang 🙏. Hou Tu Niangniang is the Mother of the Earth in ancient Chinese mythology🌍. It is said that she is in charge of the land and fertility in the world🤰 and is deeply respected and worshipped by people🙇. There are many ancient buildings and attractions around Hou Tu Temple, such as the Glazed Pagoda 🗼, Sanqing Hall 🙇‍♀️, etc. These buildings have unique historical value and cultural significance📚, making people linger~ 📌Tips: The opening hours and ticket prices of Hou Tu Temple may change, so remember to check the relevant information in advance before going📱~

| A treasure city full of glazed tiles.💫Jiexiu, named after Jie Zitui, a famous minister of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period, is the hometown of Qingming Cold Food Culture and Chinese Glazed Tile. 💞This small city, only about 30 kilometers away from Pingyao Ancient City, is not visited by many tourists, but it is the city with the best experience for me. Jiexiu is really a treasure. I recommend the following places: ✅Hou Tu Temple A Taoist temple of the Quanzhen School, the highest-level ancient building complex in Jiexiu, famous for its well-preserved glazed tile art, known as the "Glazed Tile Art Museum". The main hall of Hou Tu is covered with golden glazed tiles, which are magnificent and dazzling under the sunlight. ✅City God Temple Jiexiu City God Temple, founded during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, faces south. Entering the courtyard, the first thing you see is the offering pavilion under the stage, followed by the main hall. The glazed tiles on the roof of the main hall are particularly beautiful, but there are surprisingly few visitors to the City God Temple. Only the grandpas playing chess at the entrance are lively. ✅Five Sacred Mountains Temple Famous for the "Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl" sculpture on the central pillar of the main hall, but the gate is closed all year round. ✅Xian Shen Lou The only surviving Zoroastrian building in China, the Xian Shen Lou has two floors and a "convex" shape. The lower floor is the temple gate, the upper floor is the music hall, and the center is the shrine. There is a flat seat and railing around the waist, and the upper part is covered by a double eaves roof. Four pillars directly support the upper floor beams, the gate and stage are stacked on top of each other, the roof is a cross-shaped hip roof, and the eaves protrude in four directions. All tile ridges and decorations are made of glazed tiles, magnificent and spectacular. ✅Taiheyan Archway Taiheyan Archway, with a history of over 100 years, is definitely the most beautiful peacock blue glazed tile, no argument. The archway's lintel, brackets, plaque, drip tiles, ridge beasts, and various floral patterns and characters are all made of yellow, green, and blue glazed tiles. The sunlight shines through, creating a dazzling and elegant effect. ✅Jiexiu Museum Jiexiu Museum is adjacent to the Xian Shen Lou. You can spend half an hour visiting the glazed tile exhibition on the lower floor. Other exhibition halls are not recommended. 💗Tips: Except for the Taiheyan Glazed Tile Archway, the other attractions are basically within a hundred meters of each other. You can walk or take the free No. 1 bus to get there. 📷Documentary: "China Image Chronicle" - Shanxi Jiexiu Episode 🚶‍♂️Two-day tour route: 1: Jiexiu Museum → Tianshen Tower → Five Sacred Mountains Temple → City God Temple → Hou Tu Temple 2: Mianshan → Zhangbi Ancient Fort

Jiexiu is not well-known in Shanxi. Apart from the reputation of Liuli, few people come here to explore ancient buildings or travel. But this small city has a fresh and artistic atmosphere. Everything you see is made of colored glaze, and there is a lot of peacock blue colored glaze imported from Persia. When paired with the commonly known yellow-green colored glaze, it looks particularly eye-catching and beautiful. Among the ancient buildings in Jiexiu, the most special one is the Houtu Temple. 📍Attraction location: Located on Miaodi Street, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, it is a Taoist Quanzhen temple building. It is majestic and large in scale. It is also a place known as "Taoist land" in history. 🎈Best features: 1. Architectural structure. The Houtu Temple faces north and faces south. It has a longitudinal double axis and a north-south encirclement layout. It is clean, neat, open and bright. 2. The main buildings, Sanqing Tower, Xian Tower, and Theater Tower, are connected into one, with cross-shaped glazed roofs and exquisite structures. They are all Ming and Qing pavilion-style buildings. Such concentrated presentation is also a rare sight. Among them, the Sanqing Temple contains thousands of colorful sculptures of the "Ten Thousand Saints Chaoyuan" from the Ming Dynasty, which are very spectacular. 3. The Houtu Temple Theater is also a rather unique pavilion-style building. Houtu Temple used to have three music studios, which were rebuilt around 1516. They became more beautiful and complex, and the Jiexiu colored glaze art was used to the extreme. 🚗Transportation: Because several scenic spots in Jiexiu, such as Chenghuang Temple, Ao Shen Tower, and Houtu Temple, are very concentrated, you can choose to take a taxi or ride a bicycle to walk there, which are all easy to find. It is not suitable for driving. Parking is basically on the roadside and it is difficult to find a parking space. 😃Tips: Every year on March 18 of the lunar calendar, legend has it that it is the birthday of Empress Houtu, and it is also the traditional ancient temple fair of Houtu Temple. During the temple fair, people will perform operas in Houtu Temple to honor the gods, prostrate themselves to Queen Houtu, and pray for her health.

Jiexiu is a small city in Shanxi with a rich history, home to numerous ancient buildings and treasures of glazed art, known as the "Hometown of Glazed Art in China". Everyone who comes here will love it, it's niche, quiet, profound, and full of life. - If Jiexiu is the capital of glazed art, the Hou Tu Temple is undoubtedly the pearl of the capital. Hou Tu Temple is a Quanzhen Taoist building with a history of nearly 1,500 years. Almost all the roofs of the buildings are decorated with yellow, green, and blue glazed products. Glazed tiles, ridge beasts, hanging fish, lion bottles, etc., are all eye-catching. The main building in the temple is the Sanqing Building, the three-story cross-hipped roof is ingeniously connected with the Hou Tu Temple stage, the towering ridge beasts, pavilions, lotus ridge tubes, and mythical beasts on the top of the temple, the three colors of yellow, green, and blue are reflected in each other, like a magnificent glazed painting. - Hou Tu, is the mother of the earth, also known as Hou Tu Niangniang. In ancient times, both emperors and ordinary people worshipped Hou Tu Niangniang very much. Emperors of all dynasties presided over the ceremony of worshipping Hou Tu every year. Among the buildings in Jiexiu Hou Tu Temple, the earliest buildings can be traced back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and most of the existing buildings were repaired and expanded from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. - 📍Jiexiu Hou Tu Temple 🎫Free 🈺️8:00-19:00 📷In addition to Hou Tu Temple, nearby Wuyue Temple, Chenghuang Temple, Dongyue Temple, Xianshen Building, etc. are also worth visiting, within walking distance, very convenient.

Houtu Temple is a Taoist temple located in Jixiu City, Shanxi Province, and is one of the key cultural relics protection units in Shanxi Province. According to the inscription, it was rebuilt in the first year of Daming in the Southern Dynasty Song Dynasty (457 AD) and the second year of Datong in the Liang Dynasty (536 AD), and was later destroyed by an earthquake. It was rebuilt in the fifth year of Yuan Yanyou (1318 AD), and the existing halls are mostly Ming and Qing buildings. The temple buildings are all decorated with glazed tiles, most of which are works of the Qing Jiaqing and Daoguang years, and a few of the Ming Dynasty glazed tiles are extremely exquisite. The glazed components are large in quantity, complete in type, beautiful in shape, and exquisite in production. They are the best among the glazed tiles in the Qing Dynasty. There is a stele in the fifth year of Ming Zhengde (1510) and a stele in the 46th year of Qing Qianlong (1718) in the temple, and most of the characters have been blurred.

Speaking of ancient architecture, the beauty of glazed components is a must-see. ✅ Glazed components were used in the royal courtyards of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and are the facade of palace architecture, reflecting the majesty, solemnity, and style of the royal family. ✅ Shanxi, known as the "hometown of glazed art", is a major producer of glazed components in China. From architectural ridge decorations, shadow walls, archways, pavilions to pagodas, from seagull beaks weighing several tons to small animal pieces, the shadow of glazed components can be seen everywhere. ✅ Guangsheng Temple Feihong Tower, Zhangbi Ancient Castle Kongwangxing Temple's Ming Dynasty tricolor glazed components and peacock blue glazed components stele and Hou Tu Temple, Yuncheng Yongle Palace, etc. are all representative works of Shanxi ancient architecture!!!

👋Hi, darlings! Today, I strongly recommend an amazing spot to you all—Jiexiu Houtu Temple😎! Jiexiu, a place renowned as the 'Hometown of Three Sages, Land of Glaze', is truly full of surprises😜, and Houtu Temple is undoubtedly the most dazzling jewel among them✨. This temple was built during the Northern Song Dynasty, over a thousand years ago😮! Yet, it has miraculously withstood the test of time🛀 and still stands intact today, which is truly astonishing👏! When you step inside, you can genuinely appreciate the superb level of ancient architectural art👍, and you will involuntarily marvel at the infinite wisdom and outstanding talents of our ancestors😃! Speaking of Houtu Temple, you absolutely cannot miss its stunning glazed decorations🎊! They are truly breathtaking😍. The colorful glaze adds a solemn and majestic feel to the entire temple, while also making it look dreamlike, as if it came straight out of a fairy tale🧚‍♀️. Every time I see these glazed decorations, I feel like I am traveling through time, witnessing the splendor and magnificence of that era🌟. Every corner of Houtu Temple is rich with stories📖. Every plant🌳, every brick🧱, carries heavy historical memories, silently telling the tales of the past🎞️, making one deeply immersed and enchanted😌. Darlings, if you, like me, are deeply interested in history and culture and are fond of such charming places, then you must visit Jiexiu Houtu Temple to experience it for yourself🤗! Trust me, once you come here, you will be deeply attracted and reluctant to leave😘!💕

One of the must-see attractions in Jiexiu, not only for its exquisite glazed tiles but also for its unique architectural structure. Most of the glazed components displayed in the city museum come from here. Jiexiu, known as the hometown of glazed tiles, has a distinctive manufacturing process. It is said that many of the glazed tiles used in the Forbidden City were fired by craftsmen from Jiexiu. According to records and inscriptions, the Houtu Temple in Jiexiu was first built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties or even earlier. The existing Houtu Temple complex, except for the Sanqing Tower which is from the Yuan Dynasty, mostly dates back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is also one of the largest and best-preserved palace-style temples dedicated to Houtu in China. The glazed tiles in Houtu Temple include products from the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty to the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods of the Qing Dynasty. These glazed tiles feature unique patterns, a full range of colors, and a radiant luster. While ordinary buildings typically have glazed tiles in only yellow, green, and blue, the glazed tiles in Houtu Temple come in more than a dozen colors, including green, yellow, purple, white, and blue, making them treasures of the glazed tile art in Shanxi. The entire architectural area is vast. Besides Houtu Temple, there are also the Lüzu Pavilion, Guandi Temple, and Tushen Temple lined up to the east, each with a stage in front, forming a complete and well-preserved ensemble. However, compared to Houtu Temple, the other temples are relatively less impressive . Surprisingly, such a beautiful ancient architectural complex is free to visit, but note that it is closed during lunchtime, so don't go there only to find it closed .

——Jinzhong Jiexiu ▪ The most beautiful glazed archway in China: Taihe Rock Archway ▪ Jiexiu Museum: 2-meter-high 'Three Dragon Chiwen', adorable 'Eye-catching Yellow Glazed Ridge Beast' ▪ Houtu Temple: The best-preserved treasure among Chinese temple glazed buildings, known as the 'Treasure House of Glazed Architectural Art' ▪ Xianshen Lou: The only existing Zoroastrian building Jiexiu is truly a place where you can see various glazed buildings everywhere Look at Shanxi for above-ground cultural relics! I hope everyone who comes to Shanxi can visit Jiexiu once 'Jiexiu Glaze' is no longer just a regional decorative style, but has deeply embedded itself as a cultural symbol in the museum of ancient Chinese architectural art.

Stroll through the 'Hometown of Chinese Glazed Tiles' and experience the culture of the Three Sages. 🚗 Jiexiu 2⃣ Days 1⃣ Night Travel Guide Day 1: Houtu Temple - City God Temple - Xian God Tower - Jiexiu Museum Day 2: Mianshan Scenic Area ✅ Houtu Temple A large group of ancient buildings, the glazed tiles inside are exquisite, a must-visit place ✅ City God Temple Few parts are open to the public, you can enter for a visit by registering ✅ Xian God Tower The only remaining Zoroastrian building in China, one of the famous towers in Shanxi, the wind chimes are melodious and crisp ✅ Jiexiu Museum The basement has a glazed tile exhibition, and there is also the internet-famous emoji 'Glazed Tile Ridge Beast' ✅ Mianshan Scenic Area A 5A scenic spot, very large, with mountains, water, and culture, highly recommended. Here are the spots I am interested in: 👉 Qixian Valley - Jie Gong Ridge 👉 Zhengguo Temple - Yunfeng Temple 👉 Tianqiao 👉 Daluo Palace 👉 Longtou Temple 👉 Shuitaogou Tips❗️ ❗️ ❗️ 1⃣ Accommodation can be conveniently found near Jiexiu Station 2⃣ No reservation needed for city attractions, enter with ID 3⃣ City attractions are closed from 12:00 to 14:30 for lunch break, and closed on Mondays 4⃣ There is a direct bus from Jiexiu Station to Mianshan Scenic Area, about 30 minutes 5⃣ Unlimited bus rides within Mianshan, recommended to tour from back to front 6⃣ Climb up from Qixian Valley and descend from Jie Gong Ridge, no need to retrace steps, both spots can be enjoyed 7⃣ Take the elevator up from Zhengguo Temple to tour Zhengguo Temple, then proceed to Yunfeng Temple in order, walk the zigzag path to Yunfeng Temple, no need to retrace steps 8⃣ It is recommended to take the elevator up at Zhengguo Temple within the scenic area 9⃣ Shuitaogou is an 8 km round trip, depending on personal stamina, recommended to visit if time permits 'Glaze' in Jiexiu, let's admire the 'Tiles' together Come to 'Jie' and start a magical journey!

Jiexiu Houtu Temple This is a deity that is related to everyone. Simply because it is called Houtu; simply because the birth and growth of every life are connected to the earth that it venerates. Houtu is said to be a descendant of the ancient Emperor Yan, she governs yin and yang, nurtures all things, and thus is known as the Mother of the Earth. Glazed tiles, typically used in imperial buildings and the mansions of the nobility, are exceptionally employed in the ancient architectural complex of the Jiexiu Houtu Temple in Shanxi. Before the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Jiexiu Houtu Temple already existed, with a history of about 1,600 years. The existing buildings were mostly repaired during the Ming Hongwu to Qing Daoguang periods. In front of the main hall hangs a horizontal plaque with the inscription 'Thick Virtue Carries Things', penned by the famous ancient Chinese epigrapher Mr. Zhang Han in 1998. The dougong brackets under the eaves, replacing the use of sparrows, are also very distinctive, with exquisite carvings. All the glazed products in the temple are of pure and bright colors, with accurate and vivid shapes, and are the best-preserved treasures among Chinese temple glazed art. They are recognized by the architectural community as a 'treasure house of glazed architectural art'. It reflects the simple beliefs of the ancestors of the Chinese Han nationality and their understanding of strength and beauty, permeating the aesthetic view that combines ancient Chinese philosophy and art.

After being overwhelmed by the aesthetic of colored glaze in Jie Xiu's City of Colored Glaze, one can't help but feel a bit 'fatigued', but Houtu Temple is still among the finest of the fine. 🫶🏻Houtu, also known as the Earth Mother, is the mother of all things that presides over the land and rivers, and also governs the fertility of yin and yang. The worship of the Earth Mother can be traced back to matriarchal societies, but it has also evolved through different dynasties. The southern part of Shanxi, where this temple is located, was originally an area where Houtu worship was quite prosperous. The scale and sequence of the Houtu Temple also reflect its significant status. The original construction date is unknown, but most of the existing buildings are relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Houtu Temple has a longitudinal double-axis structure, with a graceful entrance sequence that is narrow and long. After the Hall of the Three Pure Ones, the space suddenly opens up, and the five-bay-wide Houtu Hall makes one look up in admiration, feeling the warmth, grandeur, and inclusiveness of Houtu as a female deity. Inside Houtu Temple, the colored glaze artifacts are gorgeous and rich, full of innovative changes. My favorite is still the wind boards on the back-to-back stage of the Hall of the Three Pure Ones and the hanging fish decorated with grapes 🍇, which break away from the traditional colored glaze patterns and have a sense of life, perfectly combining with the location of these ancient architectural components. Although counted as a Taoist temple and absorbed into Taoist beliefs, Houtu worship should still be considered more as a category of folk belief. I also really like the meaning pointed to by Houtu belief, which can match the discourse of women's awakening today. I hope it will be understood and known by more people

Located in Jiexiu County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, it is an hour's drive from Taiyuan by high-speed rail. The area has a deep cultural heritage, not only passing down the legend of the Cold Food Festival, but also boasting a stunning ancient Taoist architectural complex - Houtu Temple. The exact time of the temple's establishment is unknown, but its current scale was expanded during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty. It is a Quanzhen Sect temple, dedicated to the Goddess Houtu. There are many angles in the architectural complex that are very photogenic, but the simplicity and heaviness unique to Shanxi's ancient architecture cannot be perfectly interpreted by photos. Only by being in the temple can you feel the shock that ancient architectural art brings to us. The entire architectural style is rough, but it does not lose the beauty of the details. The white and purple grape sculptures on the side of the stage are lifelike, making people drool. The Ming Dynasty colored sculptures in the Sanqing Hall are also exquisite, but unfortunately, photography is prohibited inside the hall. In addition, you can see a brick and stone structure building that looks like a kiln - the Beamless Hall. Houtu Temple is located in Jiexiu City, and can be reached by bus. The visit takes 2-3 hours.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, take the K train to Zhangbi Village, where the ancient castle is located, and visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle, one of the important garrisons in the Ming Dynasty. The various ancient buildings are of diverse types and incorporate local colored glaze technology, making the hip-and-gable roofs of gatehouses, stages, and temples appear sparkling in the sun. Many people come to visit to watch the dragon and lion dances, opera performances, glass culture exhibitions, paper-cutting and shadow puppetry intangible cultural heritage, local snacks, and special farm meals. Jinmei is full of ancient style and charm.

The Hou Tu Temple is located on Miaodi Street in Jiezhou City, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, and is a Taoist Quanzhen Sect temple building. The main buildings include the Three Purities Tower, Hou Tu Temple, Lu Zu Temple, Guan Di Temple, and Tu Shen Hall. Among the existing buildings, the Three Purities Tower was built in the Yuan Dynasty, and the rest are Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings. The Three Purities Temple houses a collection of thousands of colored statues from the Ming Dynasty, known as 'All Saints Chao Yuan', which are a combination of standing and wall sculptures of Taoist deities. The temple worships the 'Mother Earth Goddess' from ancient Chinese mythology, who is in charge of yin and yang reproduction, the beauty of all things and the beauty of mountains and rivers, and is known as 'Hou Tu Niangniang' among the people. The Hou Tu Temple is famous for its intricate glazed decorations found throughout the building, and is known as the 'Chinese Glazed Art Architectural Museum'. Various glazed decorations can be seen throughout the temple, such as the glazed kirin on the shadow wall in front of the temple, the yellow, green, and blue glazed tiles on the roof, and the dragon-shaped beasts on the eaves, all of which shine together. In particular, the 'peacock blue' glaze, which has remained vibrant after hundreds of years, is rare in China. The architectural style of the Three Purities Tower is very special. It is a double-storey building formed by connecting two buildings. The latter half is a reverse theater, with distinctive architectural features. The shadow walls on both sides of the theater are decorated with dragon and lion glazes, which are symmetrical. At the hanging points of the building, you can see exquisite colorful phoenixes playing with peonies, and there are huge and lifelike deep purple grapes on the Bo Feng board. Despite years of wind and rain, they are still rich in color. This makes the overall building a colorful and radiant three-dimensional glazed painting. 📍Detailed address: Hou Tu Temple: No. 99 Miaodi Street, Jiezhou City, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province Tickets: Free admission

【Jin Shan Jin Mei·Jie Xiu·Colorful Clouds Disperse Easily and Glass is Fragile】I didn't do enough homework, when I arrived in Jie Xiu it was Monday, and places like Hou Tu Temple were surprisingly closed. I was unwilling to accept this, so I rested for a day and visited again the next day, but I had already entered a glass world. The craftsmanship of the glass products in various parts of Jie Xiu Hou Tu Temple is exquisite, and the color does not fade over time. The green, golden, and peacock blue colors complement each other. The roof slope of the Sanqing Building is made up of patterns formed by yellow and green glass tiles. The golden lotus ridge tube, ridge brake, treasure bottle, treasure bead, immortal, beast, etc., are dazzling and dazzling. The cross-hipped roof on both sides of the wind board, hanging fish, and grass are all decorated with various glass pieces, which are lifelike and colorful. The purple and white glass grapes decorated on the wind board of the screen wall are vivid and lifelike, and they are rare art treasures. The shadow wall, mountain gate, over hall, side hall, bell and drum tower, Hou Tu main hall, Niang Niang hall, Guan Di temple, every building of the ancient architectural complex of Jie Xiu Hou Tu Temple is topped with gorgeous glass decorations, which are exquisite and spectacular, majestic, golden and brilliant, and colorful. Figure 9 is the Xian Shen Tower not far from Hou Tu Temple. I visited it by the way. It is one of the four famous towers in San Jin, and it is extraordinary. Tips: Historical records show that at the beginning of the 4th century AD, the Tuoba clan of the Northern Wei Dynasty established its capital in Pingcheng (Datong), and began to use glass products when building palaces, swallowtails, beasts, and palace towers. Therefore, Shanxi is one of the birthplaces of glass, and Jie Xiu glass has its own system in Shanxi during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The roofs of the eight ancient temples in the architectural complex of Jie Xiu Hou Tu Temple are all decorated with colorful and exquisite glass. The glass tile pieces (including cat heads and drips) and exquisite ridge decorations, and the tower lion bottle, beast swallowtail, immortal auspicious bird, etc., each design is exquisite, the shape is lifelike, the glaze is delicate and firm, and it does not change color after hundreds of years. Because of the variety of glass products and the full range of colors, it is known as the "Chinese Glass Art Architecture Museum", which can be called the name to the truth.

📍Location: The Hou Tu Temple, a historic Quanzhen Daoist architectural complex, is located in the northwest corner of Jiexiu Ancient City in Shanxi. ✅Photography Tips: The best time to shoot is in the early morning or at dusk, when the light is soft. No ticket is needed for free visit! 🌅 On the morning of the 15th of the second month of the Gui-Mao Rabbit Year, I came here with my Canon 5D4 to record the grandeur and intricacy of these buildings. The Hou Tu Temple, an ancient architectural gem that has witnessed more than 1500 years of history. Its creation can be traced back to before the Southern Dynasties, and it is the largest and best-preserved palace-style temple in China. The temple faces north and south, adopts a longitudinal double-axis north-south enclosure layout, with grand halls and compact layout. Not only does it inherit the traditional architectural thinking of our country, but it also incorporates Daoist aesthetics and values, forming a unique architectural style. The roof of the temple is covered with colorful glazed ornaments, which are the essence of the architectural art of the Hou Tu Temple. The Sanqing Tower in the temple is the tallest and most complex building in the complex, rebuilt in the 14th year of Zhengde of the Ming Dynasty. It integrates hall, platform, and tower, and is a masterpiece in the history of ancient architecture in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The cross hip roof of the Sanqing Tower is cleverly connected with the hip roof of the Hou Tu Temple theater building, presenting a scene of varied and complex structure. Every detail in the temple shows the exquisite craftsmanship of the craftsmen, whether it's the towering ridge beasts, pavilions, or the exquisite lotus ridge tubes and glazed ridge decorations, all highlight the grandeur and solemn elegance of the ancient temple group. It is known as the "China Glazed Art Museum", and the name is well-deserved. In this ancient building, I seem to have traveled through time and space, feeling the weight of history and the charm of art. Every brick and tile tells a thousand-year-old story, and every change of light and shadow reproduces a moment in history. If you also love ancient architecture, then the Hou Tu Temple is definitely worth a visit. 🏰📸

Hou Tu Temple is a temple building of the Taoist Quanzhen School, with the main building being the Three Purities Tower. The offering tower and the stage are integrated, and the glazed roof is a cross-hipped style, which is very delicate and special. The Hou Tu Temple can be traced back to the Northern and Southern Dynasties or earlier more than 1500 years ago, and most of what we see today are the remaining buildings from the Ming Hongwu to the Qing Daoguang period. 🍁What to see in Hou Tu Temple? Hou Tu Temple is the most beautiful, most colorful and highest craftsmanship temple in the local area, and it uses the highest-grade yellow glazed tiles. The glaze of general buildings only has three colors: yellow, green, and blue, but the glaze of Hou Tu Temple has as many as a dozen colors. Not only is the shape rich, beautiful and vivid, but it also has not faded after hundreds of years of wind and rain. The exquisite glazed screen at the entrance is a Kylin playing with eight treasures, which was fired during the Qing Daoguang period. The Three Purities Tower, also known as the Bagua Tower, built in the 11th year of Ming Zhengde, is a three-in-one platform tower, which is the essence of Hou Tu Temple. The stage is at the back of the Three Purities Tower, and the passage is at the bottom of the stage, which is very magical. There is a stage in the temple, which is used to repay the gods. The glazed grapes on the wind board of the stage screen are exquisite and lifelike, and the hanging fish and grass are also very beautiful. If you zoom in on the photo, you can even see a little mouse stealing grapes... The main hall of Hou Tu Palace, where Hou Tu Niangniang is worshipped, has a roof entirely made of yellow glazed tiles, which is magnificent. There are also more than a thousand early Ming Dynasty Taoist colored sculptures in the Hou Tu Temple, which are also of great artistic value. 🍁Hou Tu Temple Address: No. 99, Miaodi Street, Southeast Street, Jiezhou City, Jinzhong Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8:30-12:00, 14:30-17:30 Ticket: 10 yuan (no reservation required, buy tickets at the door) The entrance is a citizen leisure square, it's not easy to park, you can only find a place on the side of the road.