Shining Antiquity

Shining Antiquity Hello my friends！I'm Alan Chen. A history lover in China.❤️
Sharing interesting history stories,⭐️
amazing cultural heritages!
(4)

Follow me to immerse in the charm of history!

Alan's Chat | Foxiaoban (Little Buddha Companion): A Little Guardian of Culture & Heart❤️From the ancient Yungang Grotto...
20/05/2026

Alan's Chat | Foxiaoban (Little Buddha Companion): A Little Guardian of Culture & Heart❤️

From the ancient Yungang Grottoes comes Foxiaoban — a collection of adorable cultural creative products designed by a young team in Datong, Shanxi.

Drawing inspiration from China's precious world cultural heritage, these fluffy companions transform solemn statues into warm, huggable figures that fit right into modern life.

More than just a cute plush toy, it offers something many of us crave today: companionship. It's a silent friend that travels with you, soothes your heart, and carries a whisper of ancient blessings.

Behind this heartwarming design are talented young Chinese creatives who blend tradition with innovation — proving that the younger generation is full of energy, empathy, and brilliant ideas.

💬 Carry a piece of culture home, and let the story of China's heritage travel with you.

Journey in Jincheng City | Look up, you'll find a thousand-year-old myth.The intricately crafted ridge decorations are r...
15/05/2026

Journey in Jincheng City | Look up, you'll find a thousand-year-old myth.

The intricately crafted ridge decorations are remarkably rare: vivid and delicate in shape.

Against the deep blue sky, solemn deities, majestic heroes and generals, and lively, spirited mythical creatures seem ready to leap off the rooftops at any moment.

Absolutely fascinating. 🏯✨

12/05/2026

Tourists are immersing themselves in the inside scene of Yingxian wooden tower, world’s tallest wooden tower, by technological methods.

12/05/2026

Unlock the tallest wooden tower in the world

Journey in Jincheng City | The roof ridges of Jincheng Yuhuang Temple are breathtakingly exquisite, showcasing the super...
11/05/2026

Journey in Jincheng City | The roof ridges of Jincheng Yuhuang Temple are breathtakingly exquisite, showcasing the superb glazed craftsmanship of the Song and Jin dynasties. ☁️

Dominated by peacock blue and emerald green, the ridge decorations—including coiled dragons, divine warriors, and mythical beasts—still retain their vivid colors after nearly a thousand years of wind and rain.

They shimmer and glow beautifully under the sunlight.
Far more than just ornamental artwork, these ancient relics carry the blessings and spiritual beliefs of our ancestors.

They are absolute must-see highlights when visiting the temple.

Journey in Jincheng City | The Taihang Mountain Cultural Tourism Festival kicks off in grand style!The Opera Carnival at...
08/05/2026

Journey in Jincheng City | The Taihang Mountain Cultural Tourism Festival kicks off in grand style!

The Opera Carnival at Golden Phoenix Square is drawing massive crowds and going viral.

On stage, 上党梆子Shangdang Bangzi, Jincheng’s iconic traditional opera, resounds with powerful, sonorous tunes.

Renowned opera artists from across the region take turns delivering wonderful performances.

Backstage, actors are immersed in elaborate traditional makeup and costumes, presenting exquisitely elegant ancient-style looks.
The square is packed with huge audiences of all ages, with rounds of cheers and applause echoing nonstop.

Journey in Jincheng City | Discover the Hidden Stories of the Liu Family Residence 🏯✨Tucked away in Qinshui County of Ji...
06/05/2026

Journey in Jincheng City | Discover the Hidden Stories of the Liu Family Residence 🏯✨

Tucked away in Qinshui County of Jincheng, the Liu Family Residence is a cultural gem built by descendants of the Tang Dynasty poet Liu Zongyuan.

Wander through this historic compound and you’ll find exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings at every turn—but the true highlight? The 102 stone lions scattered across the site 🦁

Among them, eight rare “teaching lions” from the Ming Dynasty stand out. These are the only surviving set of their kind in China, symbolizing the eight stages of a scholar’s journey—from learning and self-cultivation to achieving official success.

More than just sculptures, they carry generations of wisdom, hopes, and blessings for the Liu family’s descendants.

A place where art meets history—and every detail tells a story. 📜

22/04/2026

Nearly 20 students from France, Tunisia, Cameroon came to Ruicheng County, Shanxi Province in north China for a study tour.

They visited the murals of Yongle Palace, which is known as the one of the precious works of Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) mural art that still exists today. （Xie Yuan)

Journey in Jincheng CIty | Spring Awakens the Taihang Mountains: A Hidden Gem in Full Bloom 🌸⛰️As spring paints the Taih...
21/04/2026

Journey in Jincheng CIty | Spring Awakens the Taihang Mountains: A Hidden Gem in Full Bloom 🌸⛰️

As spring paints the Taihang Mountains, Jinmiaopu Town in Zezhou County, Jincheng City, enters its most beautiful season.

Along the ancient Taihang passage, historic sites like Wanzi City and the Northern Qi Great Wall still stand in quiet grandeur.

Across the hills, golden forsythia flowers blanket the landscape, while delicate peach blossoms add soft touches of color—together creating a breathtaking springtime scene deep in the mountains.

Once a vital gateway along one of the Taihang’s ancient routes, Jinmiaopu has both preserved its thousand-year-old heritage and revitalized its natural resources.

By combining flower-viewing tourism with local special agriculture, the town is attracting visitors and boosting local industries—turning lush mountains and clear waters into a true source of prosperity for local residents. 🌿✨

Alan's Chat | 🔥 18 Layers of Hell? China’s Wild Underworld Morality Tale Ever heard of the 18 Levels of Hell in Chinese ...
17/04/2026

Alan's Chat | 🔥 18 Layers of Hell? China’s Wild Underworld Morality Tale

Ever heard of the 18 Levels of Hell in Chinese folklore? Spoiler: it’s not like the video game – though it’s just as imaginative!

In traditional Chinese beliefs (mixing Buddhism and Taoism), the afterlife has a courtroom-like system. If you were naughty in life… well, you might take a tour down under. Each “layer” is a different punishment zone – for example:

👅 Level 1: Lying a lot? Get your tongue pulled.
🔪 Level 4: Stealing? Ouch.
🍯 Level 15: Greed? Boiling oil might be involved.
And the picture from the City God Temple of China's Changzhi City just show the "Fire bed hell."

Yes, it’s wild. There’s even a level where you climb a mountain of knives ⛰️🔪.

But here’s the fun part: this “hell” isn’t meant to terrify – it’s ancient moral storytelling. Think of it as a colorful, dramatic warning system: “Be kind, don’t lie, don’t steal.” 😇

And good news – you can actually visit a mini version in many Chinese temples (e.g., Fengdu Ghost City in Chongqing). It’s like a walk-through comic book of karma. Perfect for brave tourists and curious souls.

Alan's Chat | 🏯 The City God Temple of Changzhi: An Ancient Guardian of Faith and FestivityNestled in the heart of Chang...
10/04/2026

Alan's Chat | 🏯 The City God Temple of Changzhi: An Ancient Guardian of Faith and Festivity

Nestled in the heart of Changzhi, Shanxi Province, the Lu'an Prefecture City God Temple (潞安府城隍庙) has silently watched over the city for over 700 years.

Built in 1285 during the Yuan Dynasty, this magnificent complex is one of the largest and best-preserved City God temples in China today.

What makes it truly special? It's an architectural "living fossil." Having undergone renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the temple uniquely blends the architectural styles of three dynasties in one site – the main hall retains its bold Yuan style, the gate and rear hall reflect Ming elegance, while the side halls and corridors showcase Qing craftsmanship.

A National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit, its grand north-south axis leads visitors through a journey of discovery – from the magnificent glazed ridge beasts (masterpieces of Shanxi's famed glaze craft) to the exquisite sunken ceiling in the main hall.

But this temple is no museum. It's a living heart of local culture. Every year on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month, the City God Temple Fair erupts into life – a vibrant extravaganza of opera performances, colorful stalls, and bustling crowds. During the Spring Festival, the grounds host a lively Cultural Festival with dragon dances and opera.

Admission is only ¥5 (summer: 8:00-18:30, winter: 9:00-17:30).

✨ Fun fact: Local legend says Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han once prayed for safety here – ever since, the temple has been known as a place of blessing.

📍 Ready to step into a living chapter of history?

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