In the heart of the old town, the tranquil Confucius Temple is the pick of the sights in Hánchéng itself. The weathered Yuan, Ming and Qing buildings give an understated sense of how long they have stood the test of time. They contrast with the dramatic towering cypress trees, half-moon pool and glazed dragon screens. The city museum holds peripheral exhibits in the wings.
At the back of the Confucius Temple is the Chénghuáng Temple , in a lane lined with Ming-dynasty courtyard houses.
There has been a temple here since the Zhou dynasty, but the whole site has undergone extensive renovation in recent years. The main attraction is the Sacrificing Hall , with its intricate roof detail, where gifts were offered to the gods to protect the city.
Buying a ticket to either temple gets you into the other as well. Bus 102 (¥1) runs here from the southwest corner of Huanghe Dajie, close to the bus station. A taxi is ¥10.
