Wanrong

Wanrong is a county in Yuncheng prefecture in the far south of Shanxi, on the loess plateau near the confluence of the Fen and Yellow rivers. Its landmark Feiyun Tower, an intricate all-timber structure built in 1506 during the Ming dynasty and joined without a single iron nail, is celebrated as one of China's finest wooden towers. The nearby Houtu Temple is an ancient shrine to the Earth Goddess, and the Qing-era Li Family Grand Courtyard showcases merchant architecture and philanthropy. The economy centres on agriculture, above all the geographically indicated Wanrong apple, marketed nationally as "a happy apple," alongside a lively local snack culture and "Wanrong jokes" folk humour. The climate is warm-temperate and semi-arid, with hot summers and cold winters. For a visitor, Wanrong pairs remarkable historic timber architecture with orchard country and a good-humoured local culture.

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