[2025 Fenyang Attraction] Travel Guide for Taifu Temple (Updated Apr)

Last year, I planned a trip to visit ancient buildings as a designer, and checked in at the following classic ancient buildings in Shanxi: Taiyuan: Jinci Temple, Qingyuan Confucian Temple, Tianlong Temple, Dou Dafu Temple, Shuangta Temple, Chunyang Palace Xinzhou: Drum Tower, Daizhou Confucian Temple, Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple, Yanqing Temple, Hongfu Temple, Princess Temple, Yanshan Temple Datong: Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, Hanging Temple, Yong'an Temple, Yuanjue Temple Lvliang: Taifu Temple Shuozhou: Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Chongfu Temple, Jingtusi Temple Jinzhong: Pingyao Ancient City, Houtu Temple, Zishou Temple, Zhenguo Temple, Shuanglin Temple, Jingxin Temple Ruicheng: Yongle Palace The twenty-day journey brought me so much shock. The aesthetics, wisdom, and craftsmanship of the ancients are all worth learning from! However, checking in at ancient buildings in Shanxi is not easy. There are many spots and they are scattered. It is recommended to drive by yourself. Some niche ancient buildings are not open to the public and require contacting cultural preservation personnel.

[Shanxi's Beauty: Fenyang, Five Sacred Mountains Procession, Hanging Sculptures] This is a place easily overlooked when traveling in Shanxi. In fact, when we visited, there were almost no other tourists. This is Taifu Temple, located in Xinghua Village, Shanxi's famous Fenjiu production area. The main hall enshrines Haotian Jade Emperor God, also known as the Jade Emperor. The building dates back to the Jin Dynasty, over 800 years ago. The bamboo and wood shrines and small wooden works are exquisite, masterpieces of the Ming Dynasty. However, the most noteworthy feature of Taifu Temple is the Ming Dynasty painted hanging sculptures in the east and west side halls. Over 500 years old, they are still vibrant and lifelike, truly breathtaking! West Side Hall (Five Sacred Mountains Hall): On the upper parts of the two gable walls, there are hanging sculptures depicting the procession of the Five Sacred Mountains and the Four Great Rivers. The design of the sculptures is ingenious and unique. The picture shows continuous mountain peaks and swirling auspicious clouds. The deities of the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers ride in dragon carriages, palanquins, or on horseback, attended by servants holding umbrellas and fans, moving between the mountains, clouds, and mist. Tigers and leopards roam the forests, a green dragon conjures rain among the auspicious clouds, and figures like mountain ghosts and judges, each with their own unique expressions. The figures, animals, clouds, and rocks in the entire scene blend seamlessly, complementing each other, dynamic in stillness, still in motion, combining reality and illusion, vividly depicted, with diverse forms and rich variations. East Side Hall (Houtu Holy Mother Hall): Five rooms wide, seven purlins deep, with a four-pillar front porch structure and a single-eave suspension roof. Inside the hall, 35 painted sculptures are enshrined on the altar and the lower parts of the two gable walls. The back wall and the two gable walls are painted with murals of "Banquet Scenes," depicting life in the Holy Mother's palace. The gable walls are covered with hanging sculptures, showcasing scenes of the Holy Mother's "departure" and "return." Tips: Taifu Temple closes for lunch at 11:30 am and reopens at 3:00 pm.

Taoism is a native Chinese religion that formed in the 2nd century and has a history of over 1,700 years. Taifu Temple, located in Xinghuacun Town, Fenyang City, Luliang, Shanxi, is a Taoist site with rich content and outstanding architectural wisdom, composed of beautiful painted sculptures, hanging sculptures, and murals. The figures in the hall are three-dimensional and vivid, with meticulous depictions and bright colors. The existing main hall, the Haotian Jade Emperor Hall, is a Jin Dynasty structure, while the rest were built in the Ming Dynasty. Despite the passage of time, the architecture, sculptures, and murals have been well-preserved, retaining their essence and becoming a rare gem among Shanxi's religious architecture. Shanxi is undoubtedly a province rich in cultural relics. The ancients endowed this vast land with the most intelligent ideas, exquisite craftsmanship, unique aesthetics, and brilliant colors. Traveling around Shanxi, you will not only see mountains and rivers but also the wisdom of the ancients, which is forever admired and impossible to replicate. 📌TIPS: 📍Location: Search for Taifu Temple in navigation apps. 💰Tickets: Free 🅿️Parking: There is a free parking lot at the entrance of the scenic area. 🚎Transportation: Five buses go directly to the temple, or you can drive or take a taxi. 🟡️Nearby: Fenjiu Cultural Scenic Area, 7 minutes by car, can be visited in one trip. 🟣️Local delicacies: ✅Fenyang Xuan'er Noodles ✅Jujube with Yellow Rice ✅Fenyang Old Tofu (paired with crispy pancakes, a must-try)

"Fenyang Taifu Guan Colorful Sculpture" This is what a fairy should look like when she descends to earth💕 🌟Fenyang has more than just famous wines and apricot flowers. The ancient Taoist temples also contain the beauty of the country and the beauty of the moon. 🌟I borrowed a picture album from the library, "Fenyang Taifu Guancai Sculpture" by Zhejiang Photography Publishing House. When I opened the picture album, I was astonished. 🌟Delicate and unsullied, if there were a fairy, she would look like this. The male immortal's face is like a crown jade, he is majestic and majestic, and his appearance is majestic.

| A mysterious treasure from the depths of time. ✨Today, I want to share with you a super niche but absolutely stunning historical site - Taifu Temple. 📍It is located [specific address], far from the hustle and bustle, quietly telling the story of time. When you step into Taifu Temple, it is as if you have traveled back in time to ancient times. The exquisite architecture, with its carved beams and painted rafters, every detail shows the craftsmanship and wisdom of the ancients💯 The statues in the temple are solemn and majestic, and the murals are colorful, and although they have been through the wind and rain, they still retain the charm of the past. Walking in Taifu Temple, you can feel the weight of history, and your soul is deeply baptized. Whether you are a history and culture lover or a traveler looking for peace and unique experiences, Taifu Temple will not disappoint you. Come here and start an unforgettable journey through time! 🌟

In Shanxi, there is actually an 800-year-old national treasure-level temple. No tickets are required but there are no tourists, quietly adding points to Shanxi's cultural tourism! Curious friends might ask, where exactly is this 800-year-old national treasure-level temple in Shanxi that doesn't require tickets but has no tourists? What unknown secrets does it hold? With these questions and curiosity, today we will talk about the Taifu Temple. Taifu Temple is located in Shangmiao Village, Xinghua Town, 17 kilometers northeast of Fenyang City, Lüliang, Shanxi Province. In the fifth year of Jin Cheng'an (1200), a jiao altar was established in the temple, and it was repaired during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The existing Haotian Jade Emperor Hall is an original structure from the Jin Dynasty, while the rest were built during the Ming Dynasty. Taifu Temple faces south, with a length of 177.5 meters from north to south and a width of 50 meters from east to west, covering an area of 8,875 square meters. It has two courtyards, with the central axis running from south to north including a screen wall, a paifang, a reverse stage (the lower level is the mountain gate, with Guan Yu Temple and Erlang Hall on both sides), and the Haotian Jade Emperor Hall (with Houtu Shengmu Hall and Wuyue Hall on both sides). On June 25, 2001, Taifu Temple was announced as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units. A significant cultural relic protection unit, no tickets required but no tourists, quietly adding points to Shanxi's cultural tourism!

Ancient relics and art can be found everywhere between "Fenxiaojieping" in the southern part of Jinzhong Basin. Fenyang, the seat of Fenzhou Prefecture, has a particularly profound heritage. Therefore, it has become a stop not to be missed on the ancient tour of this area. You can look for traces of Xiao Wu in the old city of Fenyang, which has a complete appearance, and don't forget to admire the splendor and magnificence of the hanging sculptures in Taifu Temple. Taifu Temple, ranked fifth in the country, is considered one of the eight major hanging sculptures. The magnificent hanging sculptures in the Hall of the Five Mountains and the Hall of the Mother of Hou Tu make people feel as if they are very close to the fairyland. From the Mother of Hou Tu to the Five Mountains and Four Rivers, these hanging sculptures from the late Ming Dynasty all show how much the people of Fenyang cherish the land. These hanging sculptures present the ceremonial procession of the immortals in another form. Compared with murals, the hanging sculptures have a stronger sense of movement and layering, rendering the appeal of clay sculptures to the fullest. The colored sculptures in the Hou Tu Holy Mother Hall are also worthy of praise. Among them, the "Mother of God" holding a baby and breastfeeding her child on the north wall is a good example. She sits under the magnificent hanging sculpture with a kind and gentle expression, which moves the viewers. In the Hall of the Five Mountains, the main god is the god of Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak. The pillars in front of the other four mountain gods are all decorated with clay flying dragons. The four colored dragons of "yellow, red, white and black" correspond to the four mountains of "Song, Heng, Hua and Heng". These colored dragon pillars represent another peak of Taifu Temple's colored sculptures, and have become an example for reference in the restoration of ancient buildings in Fenyang area. Due to the rule that “the main god never goes out”, the God of Mount Tai does not have a blue flying dragon serving him. The Jade Emperor Hall of Haotian, built in the fifth year of Jin Cheng'an, echoes the earth theme in the two side halls. The main hall is three bays wide and six rafters deep, with a single-eaved hip roof. The use of the reduced-column structure allows the omission of golden pillars to create a wider space inside the hall, which, against the backdrop of large murals, has the effect of highlighting the majesty of the main deity. This hall itself is a model of Jin Dynasty architecture, and has the same beauty as other Jin Dynasty relics in Shanxi. The deep eaves and higher wing corners make the hall more beautiful. The seven precious colored sculptures from the Jin Dynasty in the hall, together with the delicate small wooden shrines, create a vast fairy world. The stone tablet inlaid at the entrance, which was inscribed in the fifth year of Jin Cheng'an, records the whole process of the founding of Taifu Temple. In addition to the three main halls, there are five cave dwellings and many stone carvings preserved, but the author has not seen the famous Di Qing Stele, which is a pity.

💥Did you know? The public transportation system in Fenyang is completely free! For those of us who love shopping and exploring, this is such great news! It covers all the scenic spots and the train station within the city, making our visit to this ancient city both easy and economical!💐 🏰Fenyang, a city with a history of over 1700 years as a provincial capital, is truly a treasure trove! Every step you take is on the imprint of history, and every corner hides ancient stories. The Apricot Flower Village Fen Liquor Workshop, Taifu Temple, Wenfeng Pagoda... These historical sites are all worth savoring in detail. ✨Taifu Temple is a particularly low-key place, but once you enter, you will be deeply attracted by its charm. The Ming Dynasty glazed dragons and the colorful suspended clay sculptures are simply treasures of art! Although there are not many tourists usually, this is just perfect, as we can appreciate it quietly, undisturbed.😍 🌸Wenfeng Pagoda is even more a symbolic building of Fenyang. In spring, when the apricot blossoms are in full bloom, they form an interesting contrast with the Wenfeng Pagoda, like a vivid scroll of painting. Standing under the tower, it's as if you can hear the breath of history and feel the passage of time. 🎨There's also the Hou Tu Holy Mother Temple, which may not be very famous, but the Ming Dynasty murals inside are truly unique! The murals on the east, west, and north walls, such as 'Banquet Picture', 'Royal Inspection Picture', and 'Welcoming Picture', are each painted with meticulous brushwork and gold leaf, dazzling to the eyes and eliciting continuous admiration.🙌 🏯Of course, the Bao'en Temple, Christian Church, Fenyang Guandi Temple, and so on in the old streets of Fenyang are also must-visit spots. Especially the Fenyang Nanxun Building, did you know? This was a filming location for the movie 'Mountains May Depart'! Standing here, it feels as if you can experience the emotions and stories from the movie.🎥 💥Overall, the city of Fenyang not only has convenient transportation but also a profound historical heritage and rich cultural relics. Every visit brings new discoveries and new emotions. If you also love history and culture, you must come and see Fenyang!👣

In the Five Mountains Hall of Taifu Temple in Fenyang, there is a dragon coiled on each of the four pillars in the hall. Each dragon is lifelike and majestic, making me feel for a moment that I was seeing real dragons as if they really existed. Q: Why are dragons carved on pillars? Answer: Just like the Vajra Warrior in Buddhism, it has a deterrent effect. There is a story about the yellow dragon in Tai Fu Guan Tu Wu: According to legend, many years ago, in a village more than ten miles northeast of Taifu Temple, there lived a young couple. The mistress of the family was very beautiful, but she was very vicious. She often beat and scolded her parents-in-law. Her husband kept silent about their lives, and her parents-in-law lived a very miserable life. One day, the sky was clear, and suddenly there was a thunderclap. The whole village was frightened. After the thunder, the villagers It was discovered that the big locust tree next to the well in the east of the village was split in half by lightning. Under the big locust tree, the woman in the village who abused her parents-in-law was lying in a pool of blood. The onlookers were surprised to find that the woman's head was missing. Her husband followed the blood trail to the Taifu Temple more than ten miles away, and was shocked to see that the clay sculpture of the yellow dragon on the big pillar in the Five Mountains Hall was grabbing his wife's head under its claws. He was so scared that he collapsed to the ground. After he returned home, he took good care of his parents. This matter gradually spread in the countryside. In order to warn future generations, the villagers changed the name of the village to "Xiaoyi", which is the origin of Xiaoyi Town in Wenshui County today. This note ends here. I am visiting ancient buildings in Shanxi. How about you?

Shanxi not only has Fenjiu and mature vinegar, but also Fenyang Haotian Jade Emperor Tai Fu Temple. Shanxi Province, Fenyang City, Xinghua Village, during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period 1500 years ago. As a royal wine, Fenjiu was highly praised by Emperor Wu of Northern Qi. It was recorded in the Twenty-Four Histories, making Fenjiu famous overnight and earning it the reputation of being the earliest national wine. In addition to the national treasure Fenjiu with a history of 4000 years, Shanxi Fenyang also has many famous historical sites. In addition to the Nandong Tower built in the 13th year of Ming Hongzhi, and the Wenfeng Pagoda, which is the highest brick structure ancient pagoda in China, there is also the Haotian Yuhuang Tai Fu Temple, a Chinese key cultural relic protection unit from the Jin to Qing dynasties. The murals, colored sculptures, hanging sculptures, and steles of Taifu Temple in Fenyang, Shanxi contain rich Taoist content, and are also outstanding works of ancient Chinese art. Despite the wind and rain, they still shine brilliantly and occupy an important position in the ancient architecture of Shanxi.