1-Day Shuozhou Discovery: Towers to Temples

by Allison

May 8, 2024 · 1 min read

Embark on a one-day journey through Shuozhou, a city rich in history and culture. Begin your day at the Yingxian Wooden Tower, an ancient marvel that has stood the test of time for centuries. Spend an hour marveling at its architectural genius before heading to the legendary Yanmen Pass. Here, allocate three hours to immerse yourself in the tales of ancient military strategies and breathtaking views that have shaped Chinese history. Conclude your day with a visit to the tranquil Chongfu Temple, where you can reflect on your day's experiences amidst serene surroundings. This one-day itinerary in Shuozhou is designed to offer a blend of historical intrigue and peaceful contemplation, all within the span of a single, unforgettable day.

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Taihe International Hotel

3/5

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TOP 2

今乔智尚酒店(朔州万达广场店)

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Yilong Wanguo Hotel (Shuozhou Minfu Street Kafa North Road Branch)

4/5

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Huairen Taihezun Hotel

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Shuozhou Yudu Hotel (Railway Station)

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Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1

Yingxian Wooden Tower - Yanmen Pass - Chongfu Temple

1 Day in Shuozhou Itinerary: Day 1

Yingxian Wooden Tower

Kick off your Shuozhou adventure with a visit to the remarkable Yingxian Wooden Tower, an ancient marvel that stands proudly at the northwest corner of Yingxian city. This architectural masterpiece, known for its intricate wooden construction without the use of a single nail, is a testament to the ingenuity of ancient Chinese engineering. Spend an hour marveling at its grandeur and the historical significance it holds as a silent guardian of the city's past.

Attraction Info

Northwest corner of Yingxian city, Shuozhou city
Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
Open from 8:00am-6:00pm

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Yanmen Pass

Next, immerse yourself in the rich history of Yanmen Pass, a site that once served as a critical military stronghold and a gateway between the nomadic north and the agricultural south. Allocate three hours to explore the rugged terrain, the remnants of the Great Wall, and the tales of ancient battles that echo through the valleys. The panoramic views and the whispering winds at Yanmen Pass promise to transport you back to a time of emperors and warriors.

Attraction Info

Daixian, Xinzhou, Shanxi, China
Suggested tour duration: 3-4 hour
Open from 04/01-10/31,8:00am-6:00pm;Open from 11/01-03/31,8:30am-5:00pm

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Chongfu Temple

Conclude your day with a serene hour at Chongfu Temple, located on East Street in Shuocheng District. This tranquil temple offers a peaceful respite from your historical journey. As you wander through its sacred halls and courtyards, take in the spiritual ambiance and the intricate details of its traditional architecture. The Chongfu Temple is not just a place of worship but a cultural treasure that encapsulates the spiritual heart of Shuozhou.

Attraction Info

East St, Shuocheng Qu, Shuozhou Shi, Shanxi Sheng, China
Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
Open from 1/1-12/31(Winter),8:30am-5:00pm;Open from 1/1-12/31(Summer),8:00am-6:00pm

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Top Things to Do in Shuozhou-2024

TOP 1

Yingxian Wooden Tower

4.6/5 · 3,692 review

Based on 178 review

Highlights:

The full name of Yingxian Wooden Tower is Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple. It is in the Fogong Temple in the northwest of Yingxian County. The octagonal wooden pagoda has five stories. Except for the high-end stone foundation of the first floor, the rest of the pagoda is made of wood using the traditional craftsmanship of Sunmao. Each layer of the wooden tower is equipped with wind chimes for a pleasant sound when the wind blows.

It is located in the northeast corner of Ying County, also known as the North Temple. Founded in the second year of Jintianhui (1124). The main hall is the Daxiong Hall, which was rebuilt in the twenty-fourth year of Dading (1184). The temple originally had a mountain gate, a stupa, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Bell and Drum Towers, the East and West Side Halls, the Mahavira Hall, the apse, and the Tibetan Sutra Building. Today, only the Mahavira Hall remains. The Daxiong Hall is the main hall of the whole temple. It was built in the twenty-fourth year of Jin Dading. The single eaves rest on the top of the mountain, the roof of the hall is covered with tubes and tiles, and the eaves are inlaid with green glaze. The building is magnificent. The caisson in the hall is surrounded by golden dragons on all sides, with beautiful shape and fine composition. The murals on the four walls of the hall were painted in the Qing Dynasty, mainly describing the Buddhist deeds of Sakyamuni Buddha and various Bodhisattvas.

Chongfu Temple, commonly known as "Big Temple", is located on the north side of East Street in Shuocheng District. It was built in the second year of Tang Linde (665) and was built by Chi Jingde, the Duke of E. The monastery faces south from the north, with five entrances and ten major halls in the front and back. The main hall of Chongfu Temple is the Amitabha Hall. It was built in the third year of Emperor Xizong's reign (1143) and has a history of more than 800 years. Under the eaves of the front of the hall, there is a vertical plaque of "Amitabha Hall", which is the 20th year of Jin Dading. Four years (1184) of the original. In order to expand the internal space area, increase the space for the location of the Buddhist altar and the location of the Buddha, the use of column reduction and column shifting is a bold innovation in the history of Chinese architecture. The Hall of Amitabha is the essence of the whole temple, especially known as the "Five Wonders".

Yanmen Pass is located 20 km north of Daixian in Shanxi Province. It is one of the most important passes along the Great Wall of China. In 2001, Yanman Pass was designated as a Key National Cultural Site by the Chinese government. It was first built during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor in the early Ming dynasty and was continuously expanded over the centuries.

TOP 5

Ruins of Ancient City of Shuozhou

4.8/5 · 65 review

Highlights:

The ancient city of Shuozhou in the Northern Qi Dynasty and the ancient city of Shuozhou in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasty are located in the Shuocheng District of the present Shuozhou City. According to the records of Shuozhou Chronicle, the exact construction age of the ancient city wall was founded in the eighth year of Tianbao in the Northern Qi Dynasty (557). The Sui, Tang, Liao and Jin dynasties continued to use it, and it has a history of 1439 years. It was expanded on the old site of Mayi City in Qin and Han Dynasties. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, half of the northwest city wall was omitted, and the Shuozhou city was rebuilt using the north Qi city wall in the southeast corner. The ancient city of Northern Qi is rectangular in plan, with a length of 1,800 meters from north to south, a width of 1,600 meters from east to west, and a circumference of 6,800 meters, covering a total area of 2.88 million square meters. The existing city wall has a residual height of about 8 meters, a bottom width of about 15 meters, and a top width of about 10 meters. The structure of the upper part of the city wall is unknown. Shuozhou City, built in the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasty, was encased in the southwest corner of the northern Qi city. At that time, the city wall was 12 meters high, the battlements were 2 meters high, the total height was 14 meters, and the circumference was 4,000 meters. There are 4 gate towers and 4 piers. The four gates are called Wende Gate in the east, Wuding Gate in the west, Chengen Gate in the south, and Zhensai Gate in the north. Except for the south city wall, city gate, west city wall, city gate, and urn city, all other buildings have been destroyed. The streets and alleys in the city are basically kept in the original system.

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