#Yuhuang Pavilion Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jul)
Historical Architectures
Address:
At the foot of the southeast mountain of Songjiazhuang Town, Yu County, Zhangjiakou City
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hour
Yuhuang Pavilion in Weizhou Ancient City | Admire the beauty of the city walls and attics - Yuhuang Pavilion
📍Yuhuang Pavilion
This landmark building of Weizhou Ancient City has withstood the test of time for six hundred years. Due to its central location in the Sixteen Prefectures, Weizhou has always been a strategic border town since ancient times.
In the second year of the Daxiang era of the Later Zhou Dynasty (581 AD), after Qin Shi Huang destroyed the six states and unified China, this "Jingbian Tower" was built to prevent the invasion of the Xiongnu. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by an earthquake in the third year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1739 AD), and after reconstruction, it was renamed "Yuhuang Pavilion" 🏛 in honor of the Jade Emperor.
According to the records of "Weizhou Annals", there were 24 towers on the ancient city walls, but this tower was the most magnificent and imposing.
The site consists of two courtyards, with the Yuhuang Pavilion built on top of the city walls. The pavilion's roof features a triple-eaved Xieshan style, with layered floors and pavilions that look simple yet solid. It's a symmetrical structure that I particularly like, flanked by bell and drum towers on both sides. The main hall's ridge is decorated with glazed floral ridges, with glazed coiling dragons and ceramic mythical creatures at both ends, exquisitely unique.
Inside the hall, there is a statue of the Jade Emperor, and the walls on both sides are painted with images of the Five Emperors and the Queen Mother of the West, as well as the mythological "Fengshen Map" and "Thirty-Six Thunder Generals" ⚡️.
My fondness for the murals made me watch for a long time, and the names marked on them seem to come from the "Thirty-Six Thunder Generals" in "Daofa Huiyuan".
There are eight stone steles 🪦 in the corridor in front of the attic, seven of which are reconstruction steles, showing the importance attached to it.
Walking around the ancient city wall, one can feel the desolation of the northern wind beneath the strategic border town, overlooking the entire Weizhou Ancient City, wondering what the mood of the soldiers guarding the border was like at that time.
Yuhuang Pavilion
WanderingVortex
Yuzhou Ancient City city walk: Explore the millennium history and experience the beauty of ancient charm
👀 Yuzhou Ancient City Exploration Log👀 🌈
One of the 'Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun', the Yu County (Yuzhou)✨, which is clustered with national protected units, holds an irreplaceable position in my heart💖. After a thousand years of ups and downs, from the Khitan cavalry's entry, the Mongolian iron hoof's conquest, to its transformation into a bustling hub for merchants during the Ming and Qing dynasties💰, its story is like a historical scroll that travels through time📜. Although located in Hebei, Yuzhou gives me the illusion of being in the ancient charm of Shanxi, with its unique flavor that is fascinating💫.
🏰 Stepping into Yuzhou Ancient City is like traveling back to the Northern Zhou Dynasty, this over 1400-year-old elder still retains its elegance. Most of the ancient architectural complexes in the city originate from the Ming Dynasty, and time has left deep marks on them, yet also endowed them with endless charm🕰️.
📷【Must-Visit Attractions】📷
📍Yuhuang Pavilion: Snap away at the Ming dynasty murals📸, adjacent to the city wall, a beautiful view at every step!
📍God of Wealth Temple: The largest Ming and Qing dynasty God of Wealth Temple in Hebei is located here, pray for blessings and wealth, and good fortune will follow💰!
📍Zhenwu Temple: The murals in the Beiji Hall are lifelike, lift your camera, and capture this artistic treasure🎨.
📍Nan'an Temple Pagoda: Founded during the Northern Wei Dynasty, remodeled in the Liao Dynasty, a landmark building of Yu County, look up at the ancient pagoda and feel the sediment of history🗿.
📍Wanshan Tower: Climb the city wall, and the view suddenly opens up👀, the style of the ancient city is all in sight.
📍Jingxian Gate: Stroll to the south city gate, explore the stories behind the ancient name🔍.
📍Drum Tower & Jixing Tower: The two ancient buildings echo each other, telling the story of the ancient city's morning bells and evening drums and the rhythm of traditional Chinese charm🔔.
📍Lingyan Temple: Inside the Supreme Gentleman's Hall, the exquisite caisson ceiling is astonishing💫, the beauty of art blooms here.
📍Shijia Temple: A national protected unit from the Yuan Dynasty, with its mysteriously opening and closing doors, the 'Smiling Buddha' plaque quietly awaits the connoisseur. Cause and effect come and go, visit as fate allows🙏.
🗺️【Walking Route】🗺️
🚶♀️ Start from Yuhuang Pavilion, explore the God of Wealth Temple, Zhenwu Temple, then to Lingyan Temple, Jixing Tower, Drum Tower, pay respects at Yuzhou Government Office, Nan'an Temple Pagoda, climb Wanshan Tower, and finally stop at Jingxian Gate, ending at Shijia Temple. This approximately 5-kilometer walking journey is enough to immerse you in the context of the ancient city, and half a day's time is just right🌞.
📌【Practical Tips】📌
🚗 There is a free parking lot next to Yuhuang Pavilion🅿️, it is more suitable to walk inside the ancient city, those narrow alleys hide endless stories, and vehicles can hardly pass through. Remember to wear a pair of comfortable shoes, stroll at ease, and fully appreciate the style of the ancient city👟.
Museum enthusiasts take note! If you have enough time, don't miss the Yu County Museum🏛️. Every detail in this 'treasure small city' is worth your careful appreciation and exploration🔎.
VagabondVibes
The niche travel destination Yuzhou Ancient City
The ancient city of Yuxian is divided into several parts, but they are basically within the old city. Driving is extremely inconvenient as the roads are generally very narrow, and many alleys shown on navigation are just wide enough for one car to pass through. You need to seize the opportunity to drive through immediately, otherwise, you'll have to wait.
We visited the Yuhuang Pavilion, climbed the city tower, and went to the Nanan Temple Pagoda. The places are not very big, but they all require tickets. If you have plenty of time, you might want to go inside for a visit. If you're short on time, you could just pass by and check in.