The Treasure Small Town at the Foot of Mount Heng | Hunyuan, Shanxi

| Hunyuan, Shanxi. At the foot of Mount Heng in the North, on the edge of the Loess Plateau, lies the old town of Hunyuan. It is a hidden gem of ancient architecture in Shanxi, known for its above-ground ancient architecture museum and as a filming location for 'Black Myth'. As a provincial-level historical and cultural city in Shanxi, it boasts 7 national-level protected units and 8 provincial-level protected units concentrated in the old town center and the surrounding areas of Mount Heng. The old town area, set against the backdrop of the solitary and towering Mount Heng, features a variety of ancient architectural types including temples, brick towers, and courtyards. 📝 Parking Tips: Since the attractions in the ancient city are concentrated in a small area, most vehicles park on Yong'an West Street outside the ancient city. Parking spaces are hard to find and fines are common. It has been observed that the alleys on both sides of Yong'an Temple on the map lead to the parking lot at the sports plaza on the west side of Yong'an Temple, which is less crowded and spacious. Yuanjue Temple Brick Tower—National Protected Unit—5 Stars Recommended This nine-story brick tower with eaves was originally built during the Jin Dynasty. It features four layers of brick carvings, with imitation wooden doors and windows on all four sides. The most notable feature is the phoenix weathervane on the top of the tower, which can rotate with the wind and is a rare surviving artifact in China. Admission is free. Yong'an Zen Temple—National Protected Unit—5 Stars Recommended The main building was constructed during the Yuan Dynasty, with the main hall being the Hall of True Dharma Transmission. The two characters 'Zhuang Yan' (Solemn) are nearly 4 meters high on both sides. The most famous feature inside the hall is the full-wall murals from the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. The front wall depicts the ten great kings of Esoteric Buddhism, with dignified expressions and rich colors. The side walls feature a water and land painting composed of over 800 figures. The courtyard paintings are also intricate and colorful. An entrance fee of 20 yuan is charged at the door. Hunyuan Confucian Temple—National Protected Unit—3 Stars Recommended The overall structure is a remnant of the Ming Dynasty Confucian Temple, with many new buildings on both sides. The most notable feature is the main hall, Dacheng Hall, with its particularly beautiful green glazed tiles. Behind the main hall are the four large characters 'Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, Righteousness', which have high artistic value. Admission is free. Majiayuan Courtyard—Provincial Protected Unit—3 Stars Recommended Located directly behind the Confucian Temple, the Majiayuan Courtyard can be accessed from the south gate or the north gate from the back door of the Confucian Temple and Yong'an Temple direction. The courtyard was built by a Ma family scholar in the late Qing Dynasty and consists of three courtyards, each symmetrically arranged from east to west. The wall carvings are well-preserved. However, there is a 10 yuan entrance fee, which is relatively not worth it.