The Wantong Houtu Temple in Shanxi

The Wantong Houtu Temple, also known as the Wantong Houtu Shrine, was historically called the Fen Yin Houtu Shrine. It is bordered by the Yellow River and the Fen River to the west and north, situated by the mountain and near the water, with an open terrain, facing south from the north, covering an area of 25,335.62 square meters. The overall layout is a long rectangle from south to north, a typical temple complex with a strict layout and clear structure, consisting of the spirit path, mountain gate, '品' character platform, east and west 'Five Tigers' side halls, altar, offering hall, incense pavilion, main hall, Autumn Wind Tower, Zhang Yi Path, and other components. The Fen Yin Temple was built in the first year of the Hou Yuan era of Emperor Wen of Han (163 BC), and the Houtu Shrine was built in the second year of the Yuan Shou era of Emperor Wu of Han (121 BC). The Houtu Shrine was relocated again in the ninth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1870) and has been preserved to this day, with a history of over 150 years. The Wantong Houtu Temple is the oldest existing temple in China dedicated to the worship of the goddess Nüwa. Its glazed decorations are dazzling, and the wooden and brick carvings of the Autumn Wind Tower stand harmoniously, majestic and spectacular. Inside the tower, there is a stele inscribed with Emperor Wu of Han's 'Autumn Wind Ode' from the eighth year of the Yuan Dynasty (1271), as well as the 'Fen Yin Two Saints Offering Inscription' (Xiao Wall Stele) handwritten by Emperor Zhenzong of Song and the 'Houtu Shrine Appearance' stele from the Jin Dynasty. These are precious historical materials for understanding the imperial Fengshan sacrifices to the earth and the appearance of the Houtu Temple during the Song and Jin periods, with unique value in calligraphy, literature, and academia. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.