Wanrong Houtu Temple
后土祠
The ancestral temple for worshipping the earth deity Houtu in China. Emperor Wu of Han composed the “Ode to the Autumn Wind” here, and the Autumn Wind Tower overlooks the Yellow River.
Houtu Temple stands on the bank of the Yellow River in Miaoqian Village, Ronghe Town, Wanrong County. It is the ancestral temple for worshipping Houtu, the earth deity, and emperors through the ages came to make sacrifices here, including Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Emperor Zhenzong of Song. While boating on the Fen and Yellow rivers, Emperor Wu of Han wrote the “Ode to the Autumn Wind” here: “The autumn wind rises, white clouds fly; grass and trees turn yellow and fall, and the wild geese return south.” Later generations built the Autumn Wind Tower to house the stele of the ode. The surviving buildings date from a Qing-era relocation and include the gate, a stage, the offering hall, the main hall and the Autumn Wind Tower. The temple has three stages arranged in a triangular layout, which is relatively rare. The Autumn Wind Tower is more than 30 meters tall, and from its top you can look out over the floodplain where the Yellow and Fen rivers meet. Visitors are relatively few, making it well suited to those who love ancient architecture and history. Admission follows the official source, and a visit takes about 1.5 hours. It's about 40 km from Wanrong County town, so driving is recommended. It can be combined with the Feiyun Tower at Dongyue Temple and the Li Family Courtyard.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Li Family Compound (Yanjing)
- Feiyun Tower, Wanrong Dongyue Temple
- Mausoleum and Temple of Emperor Shun
- Qinglong Temple, Jishan
- Pujiu Temple
- Pujin Ferry Site & Tang Iron Oxen
- Stork Tower (Guanque Lou)
- Wulao Peak