Wuyue Temple in Jiexiu, Shanxi: Closed, but the glazed tiles are stunning!

When you visit Jiexiu, Shanxi, don't miss Wuyue Temple. Although most of the ancient buildings in Jiexiu City are from the Ming and Qing dynasties, which are not particularly old compared to other ancient buildings in Shanxi, Jiexiu is famous for its glazed tiles! The ancient buildings here are known for their complex and exquisite structures and glazed tile decorations, which are shiny and very attractive. Among the several national protected buildings in Jiexiu, the glazed tiles of the Houtu Temple are the most dazzling. In my opinion, the glazed tiles of Wuyue Temple are the most outstanding after the Houtu Temple. Unfortunately, Wuyue Temple is not open to the public yet, so you can't go inside. You can only use a drone to see its full view from above. Wuyue Temple is located in Caoshi Lane, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. It was built in the 7th year of the Ming Jingtai period (1456) and is a group of ancient Taoist buildings. Wuyue Temple faces south and has a two-courtyard layout. Walking along the central axis, you can see the street-facing screen wall, the mountain gate (which also serves as a theater stage), the offering hall, the main hall, and the rear hall. There are eight-character screen walls on both sides of the mountain gate, and side halls on both sides of the offering hall. The special feature is that the roof structures of the mountain gate, theater stage, and bell and drum towers are connected together, like a trinity. The ridge decorations on the top of the entire Wuyue Temple are all decorated with peacock blue glazed tiles. The color of the glazed tiles is very vibrant, and the shapes are beautiful. They must be especially beautiful when illuminated by sunlight. There are many delicious foods nearby. For example, Pingyao beef is tender and flavorful, and it is delicious when sliced thinly and sandwiched in a bun. Taigu cake is sweet but not greasy, crispy and soft, and makes a great snack. If you want to visit Jiexiu and Wuyue Temple, you should know that it is not open to the public. If you want to see what it looks like, you can only use a drone. Other attractions, such as Houtu Temple, are worth visiting to admire the exquisite glazed tiles up close. Strolling through the Ming and Qing ancient buildings in Jiexiu City and experiencing the historical charm is also a good idea. When visiting, respect local customs and traditions, and take care of the ancient buildings. Don't graffiti.