YUNCHENG  –   International journalists and overseas self-media creators visited Yuncheng in China’s Shanxi province as part of the “Loyalty and Honour Without Borders, A Global Online Outreach Campaign,” exploring the city’s historical heritage, traditional culture and craftsmanship. The cultural tour included visits to the Guan Gong ancestral shrine, Xiuzhou Guan Di Temple and Yongle Palace in Ruicheng, as well as a hands-on experience of traditional cloisonne enamel craftsmanship. At the Guan Gong shrine, the visitors admired the imposing statue of Guan Gong and learned about his historical legacy and the traditional values associated with him, including loyalty, righteousness, compassion and courage. The delegation later visited Xiuzhou Guan Di Temple, regarded as the “father of the Wu Temples,” where its historic architecture and cultural traditions offered an insight into the enduring influence of Guan Gong in Chinese culture. A foreign blogger based in China said the visit helped her better understand the cultural significance of Guan Gong. “Integrity and loyalty are virtues that transcend national boundaries,” she said, adding that the experience gave her a deeper appreciation of traditional Chinese culture. The delegation then traveled to Yongle Palace in Ruicheng, renowned for its well-preserved Yuan Dynasty Taoist murals. An Indonesian blogger visiting Shanxi for the third time, was particularly excited to see the original murals after previously reproducing some of their figures at an event at Shanxi University.

“Yesterday I used my imagination to draw mural figures, and today I finally saw the real thing,” he said.

The day concluded with a visit to a traditional enamel workshop, where the guests learned techniques and created Guan Gong-themed pieces under the guidance of artisans.

The journey offered the international creators a firsthand look at Yuncheng’s cultural legacy, which they will share with global audiences through photographs, videos and stories.