Houtu Temple

10 RMB

0359-2022380

Summer is the best time to travel in Shanxi Province.

0359-2085615

Transportation is very convenient. The Tongpu and Houxi trunk railways serve as the major transportation arteries of this region, with a branch railway running from Liyuan to Gudui. Highways radiate outwards centering on Yuncheng City. The main highways include Taiyuan-Maojindu, Jincheng-Yumenkou, Linyi-Daning and Yuncheng-Fenglingdu. Branch highways connect Wenxi with Yongji and Fenglingdu with Pinglu. The expressways from Yuncheng to Sanmenxia and Yuncheng to Fenglingdu have been opened to traffic, while the Datong-Yuncheng Expressway is under construction.

Trains depart from Yuncheng for Beijing, Xi’an, Tianjin, Chengdu, Taiyuan, Shijiazhuang, Datong, Linfen and other cities.

National Highway 209 runs through Yuncheng, leading to Sanmenxia City in Henan Province and Huayin City in Shaanxi Province. Long-distance buses bound for Wutai Mountain leave Taiyuan Long-distance Bus Station every 36 minutes. If you travel to Wutai Mountain from Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Xuzhou, Jinan, Shijiazhuang, Xi’an or Zhengzhou, you may first take an express train to Taiyuan, then catch a direct long-distance bus from Wuyi Square in Taiyuan to Wutai Mountain.

There are direct flights to Taiyuan from major cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xi’an. Upon arriving in Taiyuan, tourists can take long-distance buses from Wuyi Square to Wutai Mountain.

Since neither trains nor planes can reach Wutai Mountain directly, road passenger transport is particularly important. Travellers can get off at Shahe, Fanshi, Dai County or Yuanping on the Beijing-Yuanping Railway and transfer to buses heading for Wutai Mountain conveniently. Buses to Wutai Mountain are also available at Ningwu and Yuanping on the North Tongpu Railway between Datong and Taiyuan. Multiple long-distance buses depart from Xinzhou for Wutai Mountain every day. Direct long-distance coaches run from Fuping in Hebei Province to Taihuai Town of Wutai Mountain, and daily shuttle buses travel between Taihuai Town and Taiyuan.

The peak tourist season falls during the Wutai Mountain June Fair (from the first day of the sixth lunar month to the tenth day of the seventh lunar month). Extra tourist buses are arranged from nearby towns including Dongye, Yangquan, Fuping, Fanshi, Yuanping and Shahe.

Houtu Temple is located in Baoding Township, 40 kilometres southwest of Wanrong County. First built in the first year of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, it was a shrine dedicated to the God of Land. The temple compound faces south with its back to the north. Surviving buildings include the mountain gate, opera stage, offering hall, Houtu Main Hall and Qiufeng Tower. Standing at the southernmost end of the temple, Qiufeng Tower was constructed during the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty with exquisite craftsmanship. This three-storey brick-and-timber tower bears carved pictures of "Emperor Wu Obtaining the Tripod" and "Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Praying for an Heir" above the main gate. Inside the tower stands a stone stele inscribed with Autumn Wind Song written by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. Visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery from the top of the tower.