Built during the Tang Dynasty, Guoyu Village is nestled in the Town of Beiliue of Yancheng County, Shanxi Province. This ancient village has a warm temperature that lets its locals and tourists enjoy a partially humid monsoon climate every 5 to 6 months. Throughout the year, four distinct seasons are experienced by its people with little rain every spring season and a very cold temperature throughout winter. But apart from its wonderful seasons, there's more to Guoyu for people to go through.
Naturally Rich Village
Being among the civilized roots of China, Guoyu happens to be a hamper of natural treasures and also comes with an outstanding set of personalities with provenance dating back to the ancient times. Aside from the fact that it has an utterly long line of cultural history, it is also highly concentrated with natural resources virtually in every spot and corner of it.
For one, the underground possesses coal, methane from coal beds, copper, manganese, ore, bauxite, zinc, silver, gold, crystal, dolomite, marble and heaps more. But since its most abundant elements are iron and coal, the village has been coined with the name "Home of Iron and Coal".
Enamoring History
Whenever tourists get to eye Guoyu off to somewhere farther, they usually make a stop into this premier village. Ever from afar, the view is strongly captivating, exuding with quaint beauty that typical for the ancient orient. In comparison to the great fame that Chen Imperial Village holds, Guoyu is apparently underrated, an unnoticed kind of authentic picturesque landscape. Though its old buildings are mostly dilapidated through the passing of heavy storms and powerful torrents over the time, the details are still clear enough to show the former attraction and glory the village used to have and continues to bear.
Long ago, the small mountain village became part of the Ming and Qing dynasty's 33 scholars area of study; and to repay the kindness the people have shown them, these scholars in turn imparted knowledge to them. And that is how peasants became army men, and business became entrenched as the villagers finally developed their interest to the game of trade.
It was also the reason why they were able to strategize to effectively build the 1,810,000 square-meter impregnable castle in no more than a span of ten months. Speaking of which, the castle is now known as the Zhang Pengyun Castle with its original artifacts, warrior scrolls, and other relics of great importance to the origins of the culture of Guoyu. And while the village is free of entry fees, its steadfast ancient castle is also open to all tourists, too, without the need to spend a penny.
Remarkable Surroundings Setting Zhang Pengyun Castle as your ground zero, make a 2 kilometer ride east where you will be able to vent out all the heavy thoughts in your mind at the Tangdi Temple, where Chinese divinities are worshiped for peace, health and glory. Northeast from this temple would be the Bell and Drum Tower with a cutting edge fence made of indomitable stones and antique posters on every wall of the interiors. Each poster tells a story of the Guoyu villagers who toiled for the betterment of the community.
