Ten must-visit tourist attractions in Shangqiu City (Part 2)

Located at the intersection of Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces, Shangqiu is known as the eastern gateway of Henan province and one of the six central cities of the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line. With a history of more than 5,000 years, Shangqiu, due to its prosperous commerce, is known as the "origin of three merchants and the capital of Chinese merchants." It is an important birthplace of Chinese civilization and the Chinese nation, as well as a former capital during the Six Dynasties period. It is also a famous city with a rich history and culture. Because of its long history, Shangqiu has numerous cultural relics, such as the tomb of Emperor Suiren, the earliest astronomical observatory in the world - Huoshen Pavilion, the tomb of the Taoist master Zhuangzi, and the Yingtian Academy which is one of the four most prestigious academies in ancient China. Now, let me take you to explore in detail the wonderful attractions that Shangqiu has to offer.

Located in the Suiyang District of Shangqiu City, the Shangqiu Ancient Tourism Resort relies on the ancient city of Shangqiu, covering an area of 12.6 square kilometers. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit, including the Ming Dynasty 'Guidefu City Wall' and the 'Ruins of the Song State Ancient City'. Today, Shangqiu Ancient City is one of the well-preserved ancient cities in China and is a national key cultural relic protection unit. The Shangqiu Ancient Culture Tourism Area is located in the Suiyang District of Shangqiu City, relying on the ancient city of Shangqiu, covering an area of 12.6 square kilometers. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit, including the Ming Dynasty 'Guidefu Ruins' and the 'Ruins of the Song State Ancient City'.
Yingtianfu Academy, also known as Yingtian Academy or Suiyang Academy, was formerly known as Nandu Academy. It was founded by Yang Que, a native of Shangqiu during the Later Jin period of the Five Dynasties. Located by the South Lake of the ancient city of Shangqiu, a national 4A-level scenic spot in Suiyang District, Shangqiu City, Henan Province, it is one of the four famous academies in ancient China. In the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1009) during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, it was granted the name Yingtian Academy. In the Jingyou year (1034) of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, it was renamed Yingtianfu Academy. In the third year of Qingli (1043), it was renamed Nanjing Guozijian, now in Shangqiu, Henan, and became the highest educational institution of the Northern Song Dynasty. In the early Northern Song Dynasty, academies were mostly established in scenic mountain areas, but Yingtian Academy was uniquely located in a bustling urban area, producing many talents. With the involvement of prominent figures like Yan Shu and Fan Zhongyan, Yingtian Academy gradually developed into the most influential academy of the Northern Song Dynasty, ranking first among the four major academies of the Northern Song.
The Chongfa Temple Pagoda is located in the Martyrs' Cemetery at the northeast corner of the old city of Yongcheng. According to the Guangxu edition of the Yongcheng County Annals: 'Chongfa Temple... was built before the Tang Dynasty, and the pagoda was first constructed in the Shaosheng period, reaching a height of several zhang.' The temple no longer exists, and only the pagoda remains. Historical records and inscriptions on the stone and brick inside the pagoda indicate that it was first built in the first year of the Shaosheng period of the Song Dynasty (1093) and completed in the fifth year of the Shaosheng period (1098). The Chongfa Temple Pagoda is a pavilion-style brick pagoda imitating wooden structures, with an octagonal plan, nine stories, and a total height of 34.6 meters. It consists of an outer wall, a corridor, and a central core, with each story having a different internal structure. The walkways inside the pagoda are all made of brick and concrete.

Huanghe Ancient Path National Forest Park

The National Forest Park is an important part of the national-level tourism route 'Yellow River Journey - The Soul of the Chinese Nation' in Shangqiu and the '0 Line' eastward expansion tourism route in Henan Province. It is also one of the three major boutique tourist attractions in Shangqiu. Located on the Ming and Qing Dynasty Yellow River ancient path, 11 kilometers north of Liangyuan District, Shangqiu City, it covers a total area of 65 square kilometers. It is one of the few plain artificial forest national forest parks in China, with a rich historical and cultural heritage. The park mainly features ecological natural landscapes, with beautiful environment and picturesque scenery, and is currently rated as a national 3A scenic spot.
Located in Zhuangzi Town, Minquan County, Shangqiu City, Henan Province, the Zhuangzi Cultural Tourism Scenic Area consists of three parts: Zhuangzi Cultural Museum, Zhuangzi's Former Residence, and Zhuang Zhou's Mausoleum. The theme is 'Zhuangzi Cultural Exhibition Hall', covering an area of 25 acres with a total construction area of 21,203 square meters. The main building has five floors and is one of the first five themed exhibition halls in the Zhuangzi Cultural Tourism Scenic Area. It is uniquely designed based on the concept of 'round heaven and square earth' and is a large comprehensive venue integrating public culture, library reading, and cultural relic exhibitions. Zhuangzi's Former Residence is located in Qingliansi Village, Zhuangzi Town, Minquan County, now known as Zhuangzi Hutong, with one Zhuangzi Well and one Well Pavilion. Zhuangzi Hutong is where Zhuangzi welcomed and bid farewell to friends, recited poems in the morning and evening, and strolled leisurely. The Zhuangzi Well has a well inside, with ancient masonry still intact. The well walls are as firm as stone and as smooth as jade, with clear and sweet water, said to be where Zhuang Zhou fetched water for alchemy. Zhuang Zhou's Mausoleum is located 5 kilometers south of Zhuangzi's Former Residence, on the east side of Tangzhuang Village.