Liu Bowen's Hometown Scenic Area is situated in Baizhangji Town, Wencheng County, Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province. As a national 5A-level tourist attraction, it spans approximately 4.81 square kilometers. The scenic area is composed of two core parts: Liu Ji Temple and Baizhang Waterfall. It integrates cultural landscapes and natural scenery, with "Liu Ji Culture" as its soul and "Baizhang Waterfall" as its feature, combining architectural art from the Ming and Qing dynasties, folk culture, and eco-tourism resources.
Liu Ji Temple covers an area of 0.3 hectares with a construction area of 3,023 square meters, making it the largest and best-preserved Ming Dynasty wooden architectural complex in southern Zhejiang. The Baizhang Waterfall Scenic Area covers about 4.51 square kilometers, centered around the 207-meter-high "China's First High Waterfall"—Baizhang Waterfall—forming a cascading waterfall group landscape known as "the first cascade is majestic, the second is strange, and the third is secluded."
History and Culture
Liu Bowen (1311–1375), named Ji with the courtesy name Bowen, was a politician and writer in the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, and a founding father of the Ming Dynasty. Granted the title of Marquis Chengyi, he was posthumously awarded the title "Wencheng," from which Wencheng County derives its name. Liu Ji Temple was first built in 1458 (the 2nd year of Tian Shun in the Ming Dynasty) to commemorate Liu Bowen and his descendants, with multiple renovations in 1673 (the 12th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty) and during the Republic of China period.
In the temple, there are existing plaques such as "Chengyi Bo Temple" bestowed by Ming Wu Zong Zhu Houzhao, couplets and inscriptions written by literati throughout the ages, as well as exhibitions of Liu Ji's life stories. It serves as an important physical carrier for the study of Ming Dynasty architectural art and Liu Ji culture.
The "Legends of Liu Bowen" related to the scenic area have been listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The content covers Liu Ji's wisdom stories, folk anecdotes, etc., which are still widely spread in southern Zhejiang. In addition, Wencheng County where the scenic area is located still preserves traditional folk activities such as the "Tai Gong Ji" (Grand Ancestor Sacrifice), which are held regularly every year to commemorate Liu Ji and his family, reflecting the local inheritance of and respect for traditional culture.
Main Attractions
Liu Ji Temple
Liu Ji Temple is a three-entry single-eave two-compound wooden structure, consisting of a screen wall, front gate, ceremonial gate, main hall, Zhuiyuan Temple, and side rooms. The main hall enshrines statues of Liu Ji and his sons Liu Lian and Liu Jing. Above the shrine hang the plaques "Imperial Preceptor" and "Royal Assistant," with couplets on the side pillars reading: 'Accurate in divination and verification, the first civil minister of the founding nation; Strategic in planning and opportune in action, peerless among advisors crossing the river,' summarizing Liu Ji's achievements.
The temple also preserves precious cultural relics such as the Stele of Liu Ji Temple Bestowed by Emperor Wuzong of Ming and the Edict of Posthumously Conferring Liu Ji as Grand Preceptor Wencheng*, which possess extremely high historical and calligraphic art values.
Baizhang Waterfall
Baizhang Waterfall is the waterfall group with the largest drop in East China. The core waterfall, "First Cascade," is 207 meters high and over 30 meters wide. Water pours down from the mountain top like thunder, creating a magnificent scene, known as the "No. 1 Waterfall in the World." The waterfall is surrounded by dense vegetation with extremely high negative ion content, forming a unique "forest oxygen bar" environment.
Walking down the canyon path, you can successively view the "Second Cascade" (85 meters high, shaped like a flying rainbow) and the "Third Cascade" (approximately 1.5 kilometers long, with gentle currents and connected pools). The entire journey is about 3 kilometers, taking 2–3 hours to tour.
Anfu Temple
Located near the scenic area, Anfu Temple was built in 808 (the 3rd year of Yuanhe in the Tang Dynasty), where Liu Ji studied in his youth. The existing temple buildings are in the Ming and Qing styles, featuring thousand-year-old camphor trees, a release pond, and a Grand Hall of Great Heroes. The temple also houses a 1,200-year-old "Tang Camphor Tree" and a stone inscription of "Loyalty, Filial Piety, Integrity, and Cleanliness" handwritten by Liu Ji, serving as an important venue to experience Buddhist culture and Liu Ji's legacy.
Local Cuisine
Wencheng Glutinous Yam
A specialty of Wencheng County and a national geographical indication product. The glutinous yam has a rough skin and delicate flesh, which becomes soft and sweet when cooked. It can be steamed, made into soup, or used in desserts. Restaurants around the scenic area often serve it as yam stew with pork ribs or candied yam, a characteristic health food on local tables.
Bowen Sesame Cake
Made with flour, pickled mustard greens, and pork, baked over charcoal. The cake is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, savory and delicious. According to legend, it was created by Liu Bowen and is one of the most representative snacks around the scenic area, often purchased as a souvenir.
Wencheng Hand-Pulled Noodles
A traditional local noodle dish with chewy noodles. The soup base is often made from stewed pork or beef bones, paired with beef, vegetables, and chili. Noodle shops near the scenic area mostly offer freshly pulled noodles, suitable as a quick staple food.
Wuyang Chunyu Tea
Produced in Wuyang Village, Wencheng County (Liu Ji's birthplace), a national geographical indication product. The tea leaves are tightly curled with a green and glossy color. When brewed, they emit a fresh aroma and a brisk, sweet taste. The scenic area has tea houses where visitors can experience tea picking and processing while savoring freshly brewed spring tea.
Admission Fees
Baizhang Waterfall Scenic Area: 65 RMB/person
Liu Ji Temple: Free
Children under 1.2 meters and seniors over 70 years old (with ID) are free; children 1.2–1.5 meters, seniors 60–69 years old, and full-time students (with student ID) enjoy half-price discounts. Sightseeing car fees within the scenic area are additional, 10 RMB one-way.
Opening Hours
Liu Ji Temple: Open year-round, 8:00–17:00 (extended to 17:30 in summer);
Baizhang Waterfall: Open year-round, 7:30–16:30 (7:00–17:00 in summer, 8:00–16:00 in winter).
Note: In case of severe weather such as heavy rain or strong winds, the Baizhang Waterfall Scenic Area may close temporarily. It is recommended to check the official scenic area announcements before traveling.
Tour Routes
One-Day Tour Recommendation:
8:30 AM: Arrive at Liu Ji Temple, visit the main hall, Zhuiyuan Temple, and other buildings to learn about Liu Ji's life story (approximately 1.5 hours);
Noon: Taste local specialties like Bowen Sesame Cake and Wencheng Glutinous Yam at farmhouses around the scenic area;
1:00 PM: Go to Baizhang Waterfall Scenic Area, walk along the trail from the entrance to visit the First Cascade, Second Cascade, and Third Cascade (approximately 3 hours for the 3-kilometer journey). At the end, take a sightseeing car back to the entrance (10 RMB/person);
4:30 PM: End the trip and return.
Transportation
- Self-Driving:
1. From Wenzhou: Take Wenzhou Ring Expressway to Zhuyong Expressway, exit at Wencheng, then follow Provincial Road 56 and National Road 322 to the scenic area, about 1.5 hours in total.
2. From Hangzhou: Take Changshen Expressway and Zhuyong Expressway, exit at Wencheng, about 4 hours in total.
3. The scenic area has a large parking lot with a parking fee of 10 RMB/day. - Public Transportation:
1. Take a bus from Wenzhou Passenger Terminal or Wenzhou South Station to Wencheng County (about every 30 minutes, 1.5 hours). After arriving at Wencheng Bus Station, transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus (8:00–16:00 daily, hourly, fare 15 RMB).
2. By high-speed rail: Take a train to Wenzhou South Station, then transfer to a bus to Wencheng County.
Must-See Attractions
- Liu Ji Temple: A model of Ming Dynasty wooden architecture and the core venue to experience Liu Ji culture, featuring plaques, couplets, and cultural relic exhibitions.
- Baizhang Waterfall First Cascade: China's tallest waterfall, offering a stunning view of the waterfall plunging down, ideal for photo-taking.
- Baizhang Waterfall Second Cascade Viewing Platform: Overlook the rainbow-like Second Cascade and experience a "Water Curtain Cave"-style wet feeling (prepare rain gear during the rainy season).
Travel Tips
- Wear non-slip sports shoes. The Baizhang Waterfall Scenic Area has many stone steps, and some sections are slippery, especially near the Second Cascade.
- Bring sunscreen and rain gear in summer (heavy mist near the First Cascade requires camera waterproofing); keep warm in winter (lower temperatures at the mountain top).
- It is recommended to visit Liu Ji Temple in the morning to avoid peak crowds; go to Baizhang Waterfall in the afternoon for soft lighting suitable for photography.
- Visitors with limited mobility can choose a one-way sightseeing car in Baizhang Waterfall (from the end to the entrance) to save return time and energy.
Notes
- No loud noise or touching cultural relics in Liu Ji Temple.
- Swimming and fishing are prohibited in the Baizhang Waterfall Scenic Area. Do not deviate from the designated trails to ensure safety.
- Restaurants around the scenic area are small-scale; queue in advance during holidays.
- When purchasing specialties like Bowen Sesame Cake, choose official scenic area stores to avoid roadside vendors.