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:

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!