Located in Hongtong County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, the Big Locust Tree Ancestor Worship Garden is the only folk worship sacred site with the theme of "root-seeking" and "ancestor worship" in China, hailed as "the ancestral home of Chinese people". Built based on the history of the Great Migration during Ming Dynasty, it is now a national 5A-level tourist attraction.
Overview
Basic Information
- Area: Planned area of 3.5 sq km, core area covers 1.2 sq km.
- Historical Status: Starting point of the Great Migration during Hongwu and Yongle reigns of Ming Dynasty 600+ years ago, with descendants now spread across 18 provinces and 500+ counties.
Cultural Value
Migration Culture
- : The folk rhyme "Ask where our ancestors came from, the big locust tree in Hongtong, Shanxi" is still recited today.
Ancestor Worship Tradition
- : Global Chinese Root-Seeking and Ancestor Worship Ceremony held annually during Qingming Festival.
Family Ties
- : Dozens of surname associations worldwide have established root-seeking offices here.
Main Attractions
Core Landscapes
- Millennium-old Locust Tree: Third-generation ancient locust tree, over 400 years old with diameter exceeding 4m.
- Ancestral Worship Hall: Ming-style architecture housing 1,230 surname tablets of migrants.
- Migration Relief: 120m-long depiction of the Great Migration scenes.
- Root Character Screen Wall: 9.9m-high wall featuring giant Chinese character "根"(root), symbolizing returning to one's roots.
Cultural Museums
- Migration Museum: Displays historical materials and artifacts of the Great Migration.
- Surname Culture Hall: Introduces origins of 500+ surnames that migrated from here.
- Folk Custom Exhibition: Showcases traditional folk culture of southern Shanxi.
Featured Experiences
Ancestor Worship Activities
- Qingming Ancestor Worship Ceremony: Grand ceremony held annually during Qingming Festival.
- Daily Worship: Visitors can worship ancestors anytime at the Ancestral Worship Hall.
- Genealogy Research: Provides surname origin and family migration route inquiry services.
Cultural Experiences
- Migration Drama: Large-scale live performance recreating Ming Dynasty migration history.
- Surname Seal Making: Create personalized surname seals as souvenirs.
- Family Precepts Lecture: Learn traditional Chinese family culture and rules.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
- Peak Season (Apr 1-Oct 31): 08:00-18:30
- Off Season (Nov 1-Mar 31): 08:30-17:30
Ticket Information
- Full Ticket: 80 RMB/person
- Concession Ticket: 40 RMB/person (students, seniors etc.)
- Worship Package: 120 RMB/person (includes ticket, offerings and guide service)
Transportation
- Public Transport: Tourist shuttle buses from Linfen Bus Station, about 40 minutes ride.
- Self-drive: From Linfen downtown along National Highway 108, about 30 minutes drive.
- Parking: Large parking lot available for 800 vehicles.
Travel Tips
- Best Season: Most vibrant around Qingming Festival, pleasant weather in autumn.
- Suggested Duration: Allow 2-3 hours for in-depth root-seeking cultural experience.
- Special Note: Surname root-seeking consultation available - recommended to research family migration history beforehand.