Things to do in Xiaoyi

The National Day holiday was indeed crowded, significantly reducing the value for money. The parking lot is about a 25-30 minute walk from the scenic area. During the holiday, there was no proper guidance for tourists on how to visit, resulting in crowds everywhere, with people rushing into buildings. I left after only a short time.

What makes it special is that it's rare to find a temple that worships all three emperors together. The stage inside has a glass panel, hence its name, the "Glass Stage." However, the ticket price is quite expensive, making it not very cost-effective.

Spanning multiple historical periods in China, including the Five Dynasties, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it possesses high historical, artistic, and scientific value, fully showcasing its heyday as a national trade and currency transit center during the Ming and Qing periods.

Free admission. Most of the buildings date back to the Ming Dynasty, with some from the Yuan Dynasty. This is a massive Taoist architectural complex with resplendent glazed tile roofs. The integrated architectural style of the Sanqing Hall, stage, and offering hall is extremely rare. The conjoined temples of Lü Zu, Guan Yu, and the Earth God are unique in China. These features alone are enough to make a detailed visit worthwhile. It's a fantastic place for taking photos; five-star recommendation! Scenery: The buildings and glazed tile roofs are incredibly beautiful. Fun: A perfect spot for taking photos. Value for money: Extremely high.

The clay Buddha statues at Shuanglin Temple are the most breathtaking part of my experience so far. In many other places, I only see countless small, headless statues. Even the traces left by the densely packed small statues on the stone walls don't reveal the whole picture, and the feeling is more regret than awe. But at Shuanglin Temple, I was constantly moved by the superb skills, imagination, and aesthetic sense of the ancient artisans. The first statue I saw was the Guan Yu Temple. Looking up and around, seeing the complex story-telling images on the walls like a comic strip, I suddenly burst into tears. It was pure emotion; I realized that simple emotion without any negative feelings can bring tears. Later, in front of a Buddha statue, the guide said that people in ancient times would kneel in worship. He suggested I try squatting down to look at the statue. When I squatted down and looked up, the compassionate gaze truly made you believe that the Buddha was listening to the troubles of the people of that time. Beside the main statue were hundreds of small Bodhisattva statues, each one unique, their robes fluttering in the wind, set against a backdrop of mountains and rocks. Every face was so beautiful; my photos couldn't capture its essence.

Compared to the Wang Family Compound, it is indeed much inferior. It is an ancient castle without any special features, and the NPCs only start work at 2 pm, and there are not many NPCs. No wonder it is not very famous.

I specifically called the Culture and Tourism Bureau beforehand and was told it was open as usual, but when I arrived, I found I couldn't go in. There was a notice posted at the entrance stating that due to some peeling paint caused by summer rains, the building had been closed for repairs since November 4th. So I could only look at it from the outside!

Although this place is still some distance away from the main urban area, there are buses to get there, or you can choose other ways to get there like I did. The entire archway is still very shocking. When you walk in, you will feel your own insignificance and the greatness of the wisdom of the ancients. The person looking at the archway is an aunt, who is sometimes a little like a rocket compared to the people outside.

This place is definitely worth a visit. Each attraction is quite challenging, and it would take two days to see everything. I hope everyone has the time to go and explore it; it will definitely be worth the trip.