The only temple built for the only female emperor in China

#sichuanattractions

Huangze Temple, located on the western bank of the Jialing River in Guangyuan, Sichuan Province, is the only temple in China dedicated to Empress Wu Zetian, the country's sole female emperor.

Built during the late Northern Wei period and expanded over subsequent dynasties, the temple was renamed "Huangze" in 690 AD by Wu Zetian herself to honor her birthplace, symbolizing "imperial grace blessing the homeland."

One of the highlights is that the temple boasts over 1,200 cliffside stone carvings dating from the Northern Wei to the Tang dynasty, including the renowned Central Pillar Cave and the Grand Buddha Cave, showcasing exquisite Buddhist artistry.

Visitors can explore these historical treasures daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with an admission fee of 50 yuan—if you plan to go to Thousand Buddha Cliff, the combo ticket would be 80yuan.

Post by Shih Yuin Chew | May 31, 2025