[2025 Yuncheng ] Travel Guide for Guandi Temple (Updated Mar)

The Yuncheng Guan Gong Hometown Cultural Tourism Area is divided into three cultural relics tourism areas: Jiezhou Guandi Ancestral Temple, Changping Guandi Family Temple, and Changping Guandi Ancestral Tomb. What I want to share with you today is the Guandi Ancestral Temple in Jiezhou. It was first built in the Sui Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,400 years. After the Guandi Temple was burned down by fire, it took eleven years to rebuild in the Qing Dynasty (1713). The main structure is a Qing Dynasty building. It is also the earliest, largest, tallest and most complete Guandi Temple. [Chin]Highlights——Precious Cultural Relics [One]Plaques: There are many plaques bestowed by emperors of different dynasties preserved in the temple, such as "Yi Bing Qian Kun" written by Emperor Kangxi, "Shen Yong" written by Emperor Qianlong, "Wan Shi Ren Ji" written by Emperor Xianfeng, "Wei Ling Zhen Die" written by Empress Dowager Cixi, etc. These plaques are not only beautifully written, but also have high historical and cultural value. Personally, I think this is the essence of the entire ancestral temple and is well worth a visit. [Two] Bronze bell: There is a precious Wanjin bronze bell with engraved patterns. Its melodious sound is lingering in the air, witnessing the historical changes of Guandi Temple. Iron cast incense burner: The iron cast incense burner made in the sixth year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty has a simple shape and exquisite craftsmanship. It is an important physical material for studying the casting technology and religious culture of the Ming Dynasty. [Three] The sedan chair and the majestic iron lion, iron man and iron flagpole: These relics are exquisitely shaped and intricately crafted. They have high artistic and historical value and reflect the social outlook at the time and people’s reverence for Guan Yu. [Chin]Highlights - Architectural Art The entire temple is mainly made of wood. The main entrance adopts the typical Ming and Qing Dynasty double-eaved hip-and-gable architectural style. The roof is covered with yellow glazed tiles, showing the royal style. The temple has a rigorous architectural structure, symmetrical central axis, clear primary and secondary, and a reasonable layout. It is an architectural complex that integrates courtyards, temples, and imperial palaces. As for other architectural decorations such as wood carvings, stone carvings, brick carvings and glass carvings, they are less important compared to the temperament of the entire temple. [Chin] Travel Guide First of all, you must hire a tour guide, otherwise you will miss many stories behind the cultural relics, especially if you are traveling with children. Secondly, parking is very convenient. I parked in Parking Lot 2 and it didn’t take too long to walk there. Again, we went there after Chinese New Year, and many restaurants were closed. Although a commercial street was built to complement the place, most of the restaurants were closed. Finally, there is no need to go to the last Imperial Garden. It was newly built later, probably to cooperate with commercial development.

The first stop in Yuncheng is the Guandi Temple. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and mainly features ancient architecture and some historical and cultural explanations. Please note that the Guandi Temple and the popular Yuncheng Guan Yu Statue are two different attractions, and they are about a 20-minute drive apart. Be sure to distinguish between the two when you visit. This place feels very sacred, and is mainly for visiting and learning, not for taking photos.

Chongning Hall is the main hall of the Guandi Ancestral Temple, named after Guan Yu was conferred the title of "Chongning Zhenjun." Picture 1 shows the statue of Guan Yu in Chongning Hall. Picture 2 shows the bronze furnace in front of Chongning Hall. Picture 3 shows the Green Dragon Crescent Blade on both sides in front of the hall. Chongning Hall is surrounded by 24 dragon columns, and picture 4 shows the only column with a turtle carved on it behind the hall. Behind Chongning Hall are Suqi Qianqiu Archway and Spring and Autumn Tower (picture 5). Suqi Qianqiu Archway is said to have been built by Empress Dowager Cixi, hence the saying "Phoenix above the Dragon" (picture 15). Spring and Autumn Tower (picture 6) was originally named "Lin Jing Pavilion" and was named after the statue of Guan Yu reading the Spring and Autumn Annals. Spring and Autumn Tower has three wonders: the first is "Hanging Beams and Columns" (picture 8); the other two wonders are on the second floor, which requires an additional ticket (30 per person). The second wonder is the life-size statue of Guan Yu reading the Spring and Autumn Annals (picture 12), and the third wonder is the unique chrysanthemum caisson in China (pictures 9 and 10). In addition, the central caisson on the second floor (picture 14) and the full text of the Spring and Autumn Annals carved on the wooden wall of the warm pavilion can also be called a wonder. On the left and right sides in front of Spring and Autumn Tower are the Knife Pavilion and Seal Pavilion (picture 16). There are three groups of six "Hu People Leading Lions" bronze statues in Jiezhou Guandi Temple (picture 17), which are very interesting. Outside Guandi Temple, there is also a small Fire God Temple (picture 19).

Speaking of Guan Yu, he is no stranger to us. The man we call Guan Gong lived a life full of legend, known to the world for his loyalty, bravery, and sense of righteousness, and is an indispensable part of traditional Chinese culture. Guan Yu is the protector of the Buddhist dharma, the great demon-subduing emperor in Taoism, and the martial saint in Confucianism. Emperors through the ages have regarded Guan Gong as the embodiment of loyalty and righteousness, and an idol of benevolence and courage, conferring titles upon him 23 times by 16 different emperors. Emperor Kangxi personally wrote 'Yi Bing Qian Kun', Emperor Qianlong defined him as 'Shen Yong', and Emperor Xianfeng personally wrote 'Wan Shi Ren Ji', these inscriptions hanging in the Guandi Temple in Jiezhou are unparalleled in the world. Wu Sheng Guan Yu, styled Yunchang, was from Xie County, Hedong Prefecture (present-day Yuncheng, Shanxi, Jiezhou Town). He wielded the Green Dragon Crescent Blade as his weapon and was unmatched in bravery, slaying Hua Xiong with warm wine and cutting down Yan Liang with his blade. He formed the 'Peach Garden Oath' with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, not seeking to be born in the same year and month, but to die in the same year and month. When Liu Bei's power was weak, Guan and Zhang stayed by his side, protecting Liu Bei in every possible way. In the fifth year of Jian'an, Liu Bei was defeated and sought refuge with Yuan Shao, Guan Yu was captured by Cao Cao, who admired Guan Yu's talent and loyalty, treated him with great respect, and appointed him as a general. Guan Yu did not forget Liu Bei's kindness, and upon hearing news of Liu, he left his seal and gold, passed through five checkpoints, and killed six generals, riding a thousand miles alone. Later, Guan Yu joined Liu Bei in campaigns to the south and north, contributing greatly to the establishment of the Shu Han. The ancestral temple of Guan Di, built at the end of the Chen dynasty and the beginning of the Sui dynasty, is the hometown of Guan Yu and the birthplace of Guan Gong culture. It is also the earliest built, largest in scale, highest in establishment, and most completely preserved Guandi temple in China, known as the 'Ancestor of Guan Temples' and the 'Crown of Martial Temples'. Upon first seeing the ancestral temple of Guan Di, one travels through a thousand years. The architecture here is full of classical charm, with carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and upturned corners, and ingenuity in every detail. Walking through the ancestral temple of Guan Di, one converses with history and blends with faith. One feels the profound history and reads the loyalty and righteousness that never fades. 📝Practical Tips: 📍Detailed address | No. 145 Wuyi Road, Yancheng District, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province - Jiezhou Guandi Ancestral Temple 🕙Opening hours | 08:00-18:00 (peak season) 🚌Bus | Route 11, Yongji Express Special Line direct 🚘Self-driving | Follow the navigation

During the Three Kingdoms era, there were many fierce generals like Lu Bu, Dian Wei, Ma Chao, and Taishi Ci, all of whom had illustrious military achievements and were renowned for their bravery. In terms of both civil governance and martial prowess, Guan Yu was a model for all. Hence, he was praised by Chen Shou, the author of 'Records of the Three Kingdoms', as the 'Terrifying Hero of China'. After Guan Yu, many famous generals took him as an example, encouraging themselves to establish their own merits. The 'Biography of Lu Xun' in the 'Records of the Three Kingdoms' also says, 'Yu was naturally brave and fierce, difficult to be an enemy, and had already taken Jingzhou, where his kindness and trustworthiness were widely recognized, and his courage and momentum were increasingly strong.' Finally, we arrive at Xiezhou, in the west gate of Xiezhou Town, Yuncheng, Shanxi. This is Guan Yu's hometown, facing the Zhongtiao Mountains to the north of the salt pond. It was first built during the Sui Dynasty, and was expanded and repaired during the Song and Ming Dynasties. It was destroyed by fire in the forty-first year of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, and it took more than ten years to restore. It is known for its early establishment, large scale, high standards, and well-preserved state. The southern part is lush with peach groves, where flowers bloom like brocade in spring. It was designed and built to reflect the peach garden setting where Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei swore brotherhood in Zhuo County. The whole area is surrounded by ancient cypresses, with beautiful lake and mountain views, bamboo around the lake, willows touching the green lotus, peach blossoms covering the mountains, and pavilions and towers. This article mainly features the photography of Chongning Hall, which is the main hall here, named after the title given to Guan Yu by Emperor Huizong of Song. In front of the hall, there is a bronze tripod incense burner and a rectangular table, which were cast in the Qing Dynasty following ancient styles.