The recent May Day holiday period has just concluded, and a data report from Douyin Life Services has thrust Yuncheng into the national spotlight. During this year's May Day holiday, Yuncheng City ranked first nationwide in the "Year-on-Year Growth Rate of Douyin Group Buying Sales in Third-Tier and Lower Cities," achieving a remarkable increase of 86%. Other cities on the list included Jining (78%), Chuzhou (58%), Shangqiu (56%), Suqian (45%), Luoyang (41%), and Shangrao (40%). What is the unique charm of Yuncheng that has captured the hearts of tourists nationwide? Today, we explore this treasure city in Shanxi—Yuncheng.
**Yuncheng's Millennia-Old Heritage: A Microcosm of Half of Chinese Civilization**
Yuncheng, historically known as Hedong, is located in the southwestern part of Shanxi Province, situated in the "Golden Triangle" region of the Yellow River where Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan meet. It faces Sanmenxia City in Henan and Weinan City in Shaanxi across the river and is one of the important cradles of the Chinese nation and civilization. The history of Yuncheng is a condensed version of Chinese civilization. As early as 1.8 million years ago, the Xihoudu Site ignited the first sacred flame of humanity, heralding the dawn of Eastern human civilization. The Paleolithic culture of the Kehe Site bears witness to the footprints of ancient humans living and thriving here. In ancient times, the three sage kings—Yao, Shun, and Yu—all established their capitals here. Tang Yao founded his state here, Shun established his capital at Puban, and Yu set his capital at Anyi. The Xia Dynasty's capital was also rooted here, earning Yuncheng the reputation of "the earliest place called China."
Throughout history, Yuncheng has always been a core area of China. During the Spring and Autumn Period, it was part of the State of Jin. Duke Xian of Jin established his capital at Jiang (present-day Jiang County) in 669 BC. After the Partition of Jin by the three families of Han, Zhao, and Wei, Yuncheng belonged to the State of Wei, whose capital was at Anyi (near present-day Yuwang City in Xia County). After Qin Shi Huang unified China and established 36 commanderies, Yuncheng was part of Hedong Commandery, with its administrative seat at Anyi. For over two thousand years thereafter, administrative divisions changed frequently, but the name "Hedong" was consistently retained.
Yuncheng derives its name from "Salt Transport City." It is the only city in China established because of salt, historically known as the "Salt Transport Special City." As the core bearer of Yellow River culture, every inch of soil in the Hedong region is steeped in the sediment of time. The Yellow River flows through the area, not only creating its unique geological landscape but also nurturing an inclusive and diverse cultural character. Yuncheng is the hometown of the Martial Sage, Guan Yu. The spirit of loyalty and righteousness, deeply ingrained in the city's bloodline, continues to shine brightly after millennia. Guan Yu, a renowned general of the Eastern Han Dynasty born in Xie County, Hedong (present-day Xiezhou Town, Yanhu District, Yuncheng City), embodies the virtues of "loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and courage," becoming a moral totem for the Chinese nation. His belief culture has also become a spiritual bond for Chinese people worldwide. Today, Xiezhou in Yuncheng, as the hometown of Guan Yu, attracts visitors from home and abroad to trace their roots and pay homage. This spirit of loyalty and righteousness, flowing through the city's veins, not only shapes Yuncheng's spiritual foundation but also nourishes its warm and profound cultural heritage.
In the Tang Dynasty poetry scene, many literati hailed from Yuncheng. Wang Bo, the leader of the "Four Literary Eminences of the Early Tang," was born in Longmen, Jiangzhou (present-day Hejin). His "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng," with lines like "The sunset clouds fly with a lonely duck; The autumn river shares the same color with the vast sky," has amazed generations. "If you have a friend who knows your heart, Distance cannot keep you apart" has become an eternal masterpiece of farewell poetry. With his brief life, Wang Bo ushered in the prelude to the High Tang literary era. Xue Rengui, also from Hejin, was accomplished in both literary and martial arts. His legendary feat of "settling the Tianshan Mountains with three arrows" has been passed down for a thousand years. Wang Wei, from Yongji, excelled in both poetry and painting. Lines like "The bright moon shines through the pines; The clear stream flows over the stones" and "In the vast desert, a lone smoke rises straight; Over the long river, the setting sun is round" capture the essence of landscape imagery, making him a representative of the High Tang landscape and pastoral poetry school.
In the literary circles of the Tang and Song dynasties, Yuncheng literati continued to shine. Liu Zongyuan, one of the "Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song," traced his ancestry to Puzhou, Hedong (present-day Yongji). His works, such as "The Snake-Catcher" and "Eight Records of Yongzhou," are known for their sharp writing and profound ideas. Along with Han Yu, he is referred to as "Han-Liu," pioneering the Ancient Prose Movement, which influenced literature for a millennium. Sima Guang of the Northern Song Dynasty, a native of Xia County, compiled "Zizhi Tongjian," a chronicle-style general history hailed as one of the "Twin Jewels of Historiography," leaving invaluable historical wisdom for posterity.
Beyond literary giants, Yuncheng has produced countless renowned officials and virtuous scholars. The Pei family of Wenxi, spanning millennia, produced 59 prime ministers and 59 generals, with numerous distinguished officials emerging from its ranks, earning it the title of "China's First Prime Minister Village."
Yang Yuhui of Ruicheng, with her unparalleled grace, became a legendary symbol of High Tang culture. Leizu of Xia County taught ancient people sericulture and silk reeling, initiating China's textile civilization. Fenghou of Xiezhou, skilled in the "Book of Changes" and an advisor to the Yellow Emperor, laid the foundation for Chinese Yi studies.
In addition to its famous figures, Yuncheng's intangible cultural heritage is equally stunning. Jiangzhou drum music, Jiangzhou Tixi lacquer carving craftsmanship, Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone, and Jishan mother-of-pearl lacquerware decoration techniques are all national-level intangible cultural heritages. These ancient crafts, preserved by inheritors, continue to radiate vitality, serving as vivid annotations of Yuncheng's cultural depth.
**Yuncheng's Scenery: Every Corner Holds a Surprise**
When the spirit of loyalty and righteousness merges with a millennia-old cultural lineage, every corner of Yuncheng's scenery holds tangible cultural surprises. The city boasts 102 national-level cultural heritage protection units, ranking first among prefecture-level cities nationwide, along with 28 national-level intangible cultural heritage items.
**Xiezhou Guandi Ancestral Temple** This temple, renowned as the "Ancestor of Guan Temples and the Crown of Martial Temples," is the pinnacle of Guan temples in China. Initially built during the Sui Dynasty and flourishing during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it established the highest paradigm for martial temples with its "front court, rear living quarters" imperial layout. It is the highest-standard, largest, oldest, and best-preserved ancestral Guan temple in the country.
The entire temple complex unfolds along a north-south central axis, consisting of the Oath Garden, the main temple area, and the Imperial Garden. Its layout is as orderly as a royal palace, yet imbued with the solemnity of a temple. The glazed dragon screen, Duan Gate, and Wu Gate in the main temple area are arranged along the axis, with the Chongning Hall and Chunqiu Tower exuding grandeur, their carved beams and painted rafters showcasing solemnity. Notably, the nine-purlin, four-column hip-gable roof frame of Chongning Hall and the suspended pillars and inverted caisson ceiling of Chunqiu Tower are unique examples of ancient architecture. Guan temples across the country are modeled after this one, yet this temple remains the original home of the spirit of loyalty and righteousness. Every brick and tile carries the irreplicable bloodline roots of the "Ancestor of Guan Temples."
**Yuncheng Salt Lake** Known as the "Dead Sea of China," the Yuncheng Salt Lake is a miraculous gift from nature to Yuncheng. It is also one of the world's three major sodium sulfate inland salt lakes, covering an area of approximately 132 square kilometers and boasting over 4,000 years of development history. The salt lake is bordered by the Zhongtiao Mountains to the south, the Emei Mingtiao Ridge to the north, the Sushui Yaotai to the east, and the ancient Yellow River crossing to the west. With its vast expanse of silver, reed-lined shores, and gatherings of waterfowl and migratory birds, the scenery is picturesque.
What makes it particularly special is that its saline content is similar to that of the Dead Sea in the Middle East, allowing people to float effortlessly in the water. Leveraging the salt lake's black mud and Hedong salt, the scenic area has developed unique wellness projects such as saltwater floating and black mud therapy. It has also developed attractions like the Salt Lake Mirror and Bird Island, along with experiential activities such as sightseeing smart cars/trains and low-altitude flights/drone aerial photography, allowing visitors to appreciate the beauty while experiencing the salt lake's magical charm.
**Yongji Guanque Tower** Guanque Tower, also known as Stork Tower, derives its name from the storks that often perched on it. Located on the banks of the Yellow River in the western suburbs of Puzhou Ancient City in Yongji, Shanxi, at the junction of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan provinces, the tower was originally built during the Northern Zhou Dynasty.
The reconstructed Guanque Tower is a high-platform, cross-hip roof pavilion. Externally, it appears as a three-story, four-eave structure, while internally, it offers nine levels of usable space. The entire tower is divided into two parts: the platform base and the tower body, with a total height of 73.9 meters. The painted decorations of Guanque Tower employ the lost art of Tang Dynasty painting, making it the only Tang-style building in China restored using Tang Dynasty painting techniques. Guanque Tower has received China's highest construction engineering quality award—the Luban Award.
**Shentan • Bull Demon King Leisure Valley** The upgraded Shentan • Bull Demon King Leisure Valley is a new highlight of Yuncheng's cultural tourism. Formerly known as Shentan Grand Canyon, it is located south of Shuiyukou Village in Yongji City. Formed 570 million years ago during the Cambrian geological period, it features a vegetation coverage rate of over 90%, making it a veritable "natural oxygen bar." With its peculiar peaks, strange rocks, cascading waterfalls, and emerald seas, attractions like Shentan Flying Waterfall and One-Line Sky are majestic and beautiful.
After its upgrade in 2025, the scenic area centers on the Bull Demon King from "Journey to the West" as its core IP, integrating local legends like the Iron Ox and Emperor Shun's farming culture. It has created themed scenes such as the Red Boy Parent-Child Park and Bull Demon's Wedding. Daily interactive performances, including live horse battles, water flyboarding, and intangible cultural heritage iron flower displays, are offered. Over 200 NPCs provide immersive interactions throughout, creating an all-day experience of "daytime amusement + nighttime light shows," making it a joyful paradise for visitors of all ages.
**Yongji Pujiu Temple** Pujiu Temple in Yongji, initially built during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, is the setting of the classical Chinese drama "The Romance of the Western Chamber." Built on a high plateau, the temple offers expansive views. The Yingying Tower within the temple is unique, renowned for its peculiar echo effect and hailed as one of "China's Four Great Echo Buildings." When visitors tap stones beside the tower, it emits clear and pleasant frog-like sounds, astonishing all who hear it. In local records, this phenomenon is called "Pujiu Frog Sounds," one of the eight ancient scenic spots of Yongji.
**Ruicheng Yongle Palace** Yongle Palace in Ruicheng is the largest and best-preserved Taoist temple complex in China. It is an exquisite example of Yuan Dynasty architecture, a model of ancient Chinese painting art, and one of the world's largest existing treasure troves of ancient mural art. The most remarkable feature of Yongle Palace is the murals painted on its walls. As representatives of Taoist art, the painting techniques and deity arrangements of the Yongle Palace murals are considered exemplary in Chinese temple mural art. The murals are mainly distributed in three halls: Sanqing Hall, Chunyang Hall, and Chongyang Hall. The most famous and artistically superior are the murals in the Wuji Hall, the main hall of Yongle Palace, also known as the Sanqing Hall.
The "Chaoyuan Tu" (Court Assembly of the Taoist Deities) in the Sanqing Hall is a monumental work that synthesizes the essence of Tang and Song Dynasty Taoist painting, with a long historical lineage. Its artistic origins can be traced back to the "Five Sages Paying Homage to the Primordial" by the Tang Dynasty painting sage Wu Daozi. The mural measures 97 meters in length and 4.4 meters in height, depicting a grand scene of Taoist deities paying homage to the highest deity, the Primordial Heavenly Lord. It features a total of 286 figures, with the eight central deities standing over 3 meters tall. The headwear, clothing, and facial features of each figure are unique, making it a masterful synthesis of ancient Chinese meticulous brushwork painting. This work is also an extremely important piece in the art history of the 13th and 14th centuries, renowned as the "Gallery of the East."
Additionally, Yuncheng has many other distinctive and famous attractions, each with its unique charm and heritage. The Sima Guang Memorial Temple in Xia County is a dedicated site commemorating Sima Guang, with numerous relics inscribed with the life and sentiments of this historiographical giant. The Yuanqu Lishan Scenic Area is the only intact primitive forest in North China, featuring towering peaks and abundant natural wilderness, making it an ideal summer retreat for nature lovers. The Li Family Compound in Wanrong is a gem of southern Shanxi residential architecture, blending multiple architectural styles, with its "culture of kindness" family tradition preserved to this day. Wulao Peak is steep and beautiful, combining natural wonders. The Longxing Temple in Xinjiang has a long history, and its exquisite Longxing Pagoda is an excellent place to experience the ancient Jiangzhou culture.
**Millennia-Old Yuncheng: Unlocking Modern New Experiences**
With its millennia-old cultural foundation and stunning scenery, Yuncheng also employs youthful and modern approaches to unlock new cultural tourism experiences, making the charm of this "City of Good Fortune" increasingly vibrant and attracting countless visitors.
The dance drama "Yongle Weiyang" is a vivid embodiment of Yuncheng's cultural innovation. It connects four aesthetic dimensions—"ancient architecture, murals, glazed art, and heritage"—using dance art as a medium to integrate ancient cultural elements like the Yongle Palace murals, allowing audiences to appreciate the beauty of dance while feeling Yuncheng's profound heritage.
Beyond artistic performances, digital technology empowers traditional culture to enter the public eye in vivid and dynamic ways. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AR, VR, and XR, Yuncheng has created immersive cultural tourism experiences, breaking the limitations of traditional tour models.
The Digital Exhibition Center of the Yuncheng Guandi Hometown Cultural Tourism Scenic Area has produced the XR full-sensory interactive film "The Eternal Cloud-Long: Guandi Subdues Demons." Using virtual technology, it immerses viewers in the legendary story of Guan Yu conquering demons. The scenic area has also launched a 720-degree VR panoramic tour guide, offering various modes such as seamless following explanations and visual recognition explanations. Visitors need only scan a code to easily unlock the historical stories behind each landscape and understand Yuncheng's cultural lineage.
It is worth mentioning that the Guan Yu Cultural Tourism Festival is held here annually. During the festival, there are not only solemn ceremonies and traditional activities like the Guandi Procession but also modern events such as Guan Yu cultural forums and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, both preserving Guan Yu's culture of loyalty and righteousness and enriching visitors' experiences. Additionally, the scenic area hosts traditional temple fairs and the Guandi Procession on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, as well as activities commemorating Guan Yu's birthday on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth lunar month.
Furthermore, the Yuan Dynasty murals of Ruicheng Yongle Palace have been precisely replicated through digital technology, not only ensuring the permanent preservation of these precious cultural relics but also allowing global audiences to conveniently appreciate this artistic treasure through online digital special exhibitions. It is reported that the Yongle Palace Mural Art Digital Special Exhibition has been showcased at the UNESCO headquarters, highlighting Yuncheng's world-class influence in cultural tourism.
Yuncheng has endless historical stories, boundless scenery, and ever-delicious cuisine... If you are looking for a place with both cultural depth and vibrant local life, come to Yuncheng. This treasure city is worth your visit!
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