Jiexiu Glazed Tile Masterpieces (Jiexiu)

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 .