Wolonggang is on the west side of Nanyang City in Henan. It is where Zhuge Liang lived in seclusion and farmed, and the site of the famed "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage" and the strategic discussions at the thatched cottage. The Wuhou Shrine on the ridge was first built during the Wei and Jin dynasties and flourished in the Tang and Song. It is a national 4A-level scenic area and a nationally protected key cultural relic site, and among Wuhou shrines nationwide, it is one of the earliest founded.
š Location: Wolonggang, Wolong District, Nanyang, Henan Province (Wuhou Temple In Wolonggang, Nanyang)
š Opening hours: May 1āSep 30, 8:00 AMā6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM); Oct 1āApr 30 of the following year, 8:00 AMā5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM).
š The entire area closes at 6:00 PM. Wuhou Temple In Wolonggang, Nanyang Museum closes at 5:30 PM. Please keep the closing times in mind when planning your route.
ā© "dragon among people through the ages" stone paifang arch
⨠Highlights:
Ā· The stone paifang arch before the shrine stands 9 m tall and 13.5 m wide. With three gateways and four pillars in a tower-like form, it is richly carved and makes the first striking sight before you enter.
Ā· The architrave bears the incised phrase "dragon among people through the ages," implying that Zhuge Liang was a dragon among mortals and hinting that Wolonggang is a land of hidden talent.
Ā· First built in the Ming dynasty of bluestone, it rises layer upon layer when viewed from the steps below, with bracket sets and intricate patterns stacking upward.
š Great worship hall and stele corridor
⨠Highlights:
Ā· The great worship hall houses colored statues of Zhuge Liang, his son Zhuge Zhan, and his grandson Zhuge Shang. It is the main hall for offerings to Zhuge Liang through the ages.
Ā· Along one side before the hall, the Ming dynasty stele corridor is inlaid with stone inscriptions of the first and second "Memorial on Sending Out the Troops" in Yue Feiās calligraphy, whose vigorous strokes make it the shrineās most eye-catching inscription.
Ā· From the mountain gate to the great worship hall, the left and right corridors form the front sacrificial area. Ancient cypresses stand thick, and plaques and couplets line the way to the hall.
š Cottage of Zhuge Liang
⨠Highlights:
Ā· Also known as Zhuge Hermitage, the present thatched cottage is a brick-and-wood octagonal structure with projecting eaves and an outer octagonal corridor, its roof covered in thatch.
Ā· A plaque inscribed "Cottage of Zhuge Liang" by Guo Moruo hangs over the main entrance.
Ā· Behind the shrine, areas reflecting Zhuge Liangās rustic life include Yeyun Hermitage, Ancient Cypress Pavilion, Companion Moon Terrace, and Tilling Pavilion, collectively known as the Ten Scenes of Wolong.
š³ Ningyuan Tower and ancient cypresses in the shrine
⨠Highlights:
Ā· Ningyuan Tower, also called Qingfeng Tower, stands at the rear of the shrine and serves as the concluding piece of the complex.
Ā· The grounds contain over 200 old and notable trees. Ancient cypresses alternate with slender bamboo, making it noticeably cooler inside in summer.
Ā· More than 150 historic buildings survive, and the number of plaques, couplets, and steles ranks among the most in Wuhou shrines nationwide.
š” Travel tips: Many structures and steles are historicāplease do not touch them. Turn off your camera flash. Stone steps connect the courtyards; they can be slippery after rain, so slow down. There are many ancient trees, and mosquitoes can be active in summerābring insect repellent. The museum closes early, so we recommend entering earlier in the afternoon and allowing 2 hours.
š Transportation
By car: navigate to "Wuhou Temple In Wolonggang, Nanyang." The scenic area sits on Wolonggang on the west side of Nanyangās urban area, with parking lot(s) nearby.
Public transportation: take a high-speed train to Nanyang East Station, then transfer by bus or taxi. Multiple city bus routes reach Wolonggang.
Come to Wolonggang in Nanyang and walk the grounds of the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage!
āWolonggang is on the west side of Nanyang City in Henan.ā@_Nyra.y Ā· 6 days ago