Nestled on the bank of the Jialing River in the western suburbs of Guangyuan and backed by Wulong Mountain, Huangze Temple is the only temple dedicated to Wu Zetian, China’s sole female emperor.

First built in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, it was originally called Wunu Temple or Chuanzhu Temple, erected in memory of Li Bing and his son. In 690 AD, since Wu Zetian was born in Guangyuan and ascended the throne, the temple was officially renamed Huangze Temple. Major buildings inside include the Two Sages Hall, Wu Family Ancestral Hall and Huangze Hall.

The cliff carvings in the temple are precious cultural relics. There are over 50 grottoes housing more than 1,200 statues. Magnificent and exquisitely crafted, they have suffered severe weathering, just like the Longmen Grottoes and Yungang Grottoes.

Ticket: ¥50 per person Tour Guide Service: ¥40 for groups of fewer than 10 people; an extra ¥10 for every additional 10 people Recommended Visiting Duration: 1.5 hours

Tips: If you are not familiar with the related history, especially when traveling with children, hiring a tour guide is highly recommended to make the most of your visit.

Transportation: Take Bus No.2, 6 or 13 to Shangxi Railway Station, then walk for 10 minutes to reach the temple. Taxis are also available. The starting fare for taxis in downtown Guangyuan is ¥4, plus a ¥0.5 fuel surcharge.