Shanxi Ancient Architecture • Yongle Palace • Travel with Black Monkey

⛱️Must-visit spot: Yongle Palace 🌄Travel Tips: Both high-speed rail and self-driving are very convenient in Shanxi. The combo ticket is 125, and Yongle Palace alone is 60. 🏨Accommodation Tips: Hampton by Hilton Yuncheng Salt Lake 💗Other tips: Parking at Yongle Palace Scenic Area is very convenient, you can see it right at the entrance. Park on the right side of the main square at the entrance of the entire scenic area. The scenic area square has small wild entertainment projects for children, as well as snacks. There is a unique Taoist culture coffee shop and painting. The entire scenic area is considered large in ancient architecture (compared to Lantian Water and Land Temple) and is mainly famous for its murals. Guided tours are in high demand, so it is recommended to book one online, otherwise, it might be hard to understand. You need to wear shoe covers in each main hall, which is a bit like when we used to take computer classes as kids. There is no lighting inside the main halls. The Chaoyuan map mainly features Taoist figures, such as the gods of the stars and constellations, generals, and the Yuan Sage. It is much larger than expected, with well-preserved areas. Flash photography is not allowed, so I skipped taking photos to help protect the ancient architecture. Interestingly, there is a tomb of Lü Zu here, and the Emperor Fuyou bows to show respect. In terms of popularity among religious figures, Guanyin Bodhisattva is for Buddhism, and Lü Dongbin, Lü Zu, is for Taoism. Moreover, one of the main halls has two pieces written by Lü Zu on cultivation methods, the Hundred Character Stele. I have known about them for a long time and benefited from them. One is for cultivating nature (spiritual direction), and even if your classical Chinese is not good, you can basically understand the general content. The other is for cultivating life (physical direction), which is much harder to understand. However, you can always ask Baidu or consult a professional Taoist priest; do not practice blindly. The cultural and creative store sells rubbings of these two pieces by Lü Zu. Just buy them without thinking—each comes with twenty sentences, a true ladder to heaven! The secret to immortality doesn't cost 998, just buy it. There are two colors, black or red, which can be framed and given as gifts. Hotel Recommendation: Hampton by Hilton Yuncheng Salt Lake. Yuncheng can be the first stop in Shanxi, followed by Hongtong County Guangsheng Temple • Xixian Xiaoxitian • Taiyuan Jinci • Datong Yungang, and many more. Stay tuned for updates. Welcome to follow.