Guanque Tower in Yongji, Shanxi: The Real-Life 'Wukong' Filming Location, a Must-Visit for Traditional Chinese Culture Enthusiasts!

Guanque Tower in Yongji covers essential information, best visiting times, featured activities, nearby attractions, and food recommendations to help you plan the perfect trip: --- 1. Basic Information about Guanque Tower - Address: East Bank of the Yellow River, West of Puzhou Ancient City, Yongji, Yuncheng, Shanxi - Opening Hours: - Summer (April 1 - October 31): 08:30-18:00 - Winter (November 1 - March 31): 09:00-17:00 - Ticket Prices: - Adult Ticket: 60 CNY (may be discounted to 40 CNY on online platforms) - Concession Ticket: 23 CNY (for minors aged 6-18, students, etc.) - Free Admission: Children under 6, seniors over 60, and disabled visitors with valid ID --- 2. Best Time to Visit - Spring and Autumn (March-May, September-November): Pleasant weather, ideal for climbing the tower and enjoying views of the Yellow River. - March-April: Combine with Yongji's flower-viewing routes to explore Guanque Tower's flower fields and the vast peach blossoms along the Yellow River. --- 3. Recommended Activities - Intangible Cultural Heritage Performances: Ice-carrying blessings, Yellow River drumming, stilt yangko dances, etc. - Tang Dynasty Music: Sixth-floor bell performances of classics like "Three Variations of Plum Blossom" and "The River All Red." - Food Festivals: Yongji beef dumplings, stir-fried cold noodles, sugar painting, etc. --- 4. Visiting Tips - Duration: 1-1.5 hours. - Tower Climbing Experience: - The tower appears 3 stories tall externally but has 6 floors inside. Visitors can take the elevator or climb to the top for a panoramic view of the Yellow River. - The sixth floor features a blessing area where visitors can hang prayer plaques. - Scenic Area Layout: - Famous Tower Zone: Main tower, Guanque Lake, Tang Dynasty Square. - Yellow River Culture Zone: Puzhou Folk Garden, Willow Garden, etc. --- 5. Nearby Attractions - Pujiu Temple: Famous for the love story in "The Romance of the West Chamber," located close to Guanque Tower. Combo tickets available (from 90 CNY). - Pujin Ferry Ruins: A Tang Dynasty Yellow River ferry site featuring the "Kaiyuan Iron Ox" artifacts. - Wulao Peak: Great for winter snow festivals or summer retreats. - Yuncheng Salt Lake: Best enjoyed via drone photography, worth a quick visit. --- 6. Transportation Guide - Bus: Take Bus No. 2 from Yongji city center to Pujiu Temple, then transfer to a sightseeing shuttle (5 CNY) to Guanque Tower. - Drive: Exit at Yongji West Highway and follow signs to Puzhou to reach the scenic area. --- 7. Food Recommendations - Yongji Beef Dumplings: A local specialty with thin wrappers and fresh fillings. - Lamb Hulapu: Similar to lamb paomo, featuring flavorful shredded flatbread. - Yellow River Carp: Tender and delicious, recommended at nearby restaurants. --- 8. Accommodation Suggestions - Yongji City: Lavande Hotel (Yuncheng Yongji High-Speed Rail Station Branch), convenient for transportation. - Puzhou Town: Choose homestays for easy access to nearby attractions the next day. --- Summary: Guanque Tower is a year-round destination, with the most vibrant activities during Chinese New Year and Dragon Boat Festival. Plan a 1-2 day itinerary combining Pujiu Temple and Pujin Ferry to experience Yellow River culture and intangible heritage!