The World’s Attention Turns to Yong’an Temple in Hunyuan! CGTN Showcases the Timeless Beauty of Shanxi’s Millennial Ancient Architecture to a Global Audience-Hengshan Mountain

Home
About
Culture
News
Tourist Guide
Surrounding activities
Booking
Contact

Accessibility

Language
- 中文
- English
- 한국
- 日本語

HENGSHAN MOUNTAIN

scroll down

The World’s Attention Turns to Yong’an Temple in Hunyuan! CGTN Showcases the Timeless Beauty of Shanxi’s Millennial Ancient Architecture to a Global Audience

Publish Time:

2026-05-02 18:31

Source:

CGTN, the China Global Television Network, is an international news broadcasting organization under the China Media Group that broadcasts globally. It was established on December 31, 2016.

On May 1, 2026, at 14:57, CGTN reported, “ Titled “Chinese Animated Film Goes Viral with Centuries-Old Architecture,” the report highlights the numerous historic buildings in Shanxi Province that served as settings for the animated series “Little Monsters of Langlang Mountain.” These locations have not only sparked a surge in popularity for Shanxi’s cultural heritage sites and local cultural and creative products but have also advanced the preservation and adaptive reuse of these ancient structures, thereby boosting the high-quality development of the region’s cultural and tourism industries.

In the movie

A little pig demon who lives on Wave-Wave Mountain

And three equally ordinary little demons

Formed a “loose-knit pilgrimage group”

Embarked on a “westward journey.”

(CGTN Reporter Fu Jiamai)

“Their path forward”

It is composed of numerous ancient buildings in Shanxi.

Shanxi Province

Known as the “Treasure House of Ancient Chinese Architecture”

More than 28,000 historic buildings are registered.

Together, they constitute a comprehensive “History of Chinese Architecture.”

The time span stretches nearly 1,300 years, from the Tang Dynasty to the present.

What is especially precious is

Existing Wooden Ancient Buildings from the Yuan Dynasty and Earlier in China

Over 80% are located in Shanxi.

(CGTN Reporter Fu Jiamai)

“ Do you know?

This film features at least ten locations shot in Shanxi Province.

The building behind me is one of them.

“It has attracted many people to come and check in.”

The little monsters’ first hurdle on their “Journey to the West” is

of Hunyuan County, Datong City Yong’an Zen Temple

Within the temple, there is a mural spanning over 180 square meters.

Mural depicting more than 880 figures of various types

Became a clue for unraveling the plot.

The nearly four-meter-tall “solemn” plaque-style calligraphy has become a must-photograph spot for visitors.

(Yue Lifang, Head of Yong’an Chan Temple)

“In the past, Yong’an Chan Temple didn’t have many visitors.”

There are only two to three thousand tourists throughout the entire year.

It is already very difficult to maintain the basic operations of the scenic area.

Since “Little Monsters of Langlang Mountain” aired

It has attracted numerous tourists who come specifically to check in.

The scenic area now receives 280,000 visitors annually.

In addition, the scenic area has also launched

(Cultural and creative products) inspired by the Yuan-dynasty ancient architecture of Yong’an Temple

For example, caisson ceilings and dougong brackets.

Refrigerator magnets featuring the theme of “solemnity” in plaque and banner calligraphy culture

“It has won the favor of many tourists.”

In Jinci Temple

You can see that Ming-dynasty stage.

The intricate carvings remain exquisite even after 500 years.

At Shanhuasi Temple

You can see the magnificent and enormous Lotus Dougong

and the “cutest” Sculptures of the Four Heavenly Kings

The Tianlongshan Grottoes on the Little Demons’ Journey West

Carved more than 1,400 years ago

It still astonishes people today.

These millennia-old historic buildings

In animation, it’s more than just a background.

Rather, it is a true “cultural codebook.”

It drives the plot forward.

It also conveys the genetic essence of Chinese aesthetics.

(Datong City Institute for the Protection of Ancient Architecture

Publicity by the Office Director, Lian Chao

“Film Comes to Shanxi”

Entering the Ancient Building

It is to enable more people to understand.

Shanxi, this treasure land

Because of Shanxi’s ancient architecture

Including immovable cultural relics, murals, and sculptures.

There are especially many.

Today’s young people are very interested in them.

This has also made the scenic area even more popular.

“Establish a virtuous cycle of ‘protection, utilization, and re-protection’.”

(CGTN Reporter Fu Jiamai)

“ When these buildings are brought to the screen

They are no longer dusty relics.

And has become the “top-tier” hotspot and a must-visit destination in people’s hearts.

(Source: CGTN) International News)

Keywords:

Zhao Yuqing Conducts On-Site Inspection of Tourism Safety Measures During the May Day Holiday

The World’s Attention Turns to Yong’an Temple in Hunyuan! CGTN Showcases the Timeless Beauty of Shanxi’s Millennial Ancient Architecture to a Global Audience