
Zhaojun, known as Wang Qiang, once lived in Xingshan County. She was chosen to be a maid of honor for her outstanding appearance in Emperor Yuandi\'s period of the Han Dynasty. As Emperor Yuandi\'s harem grew, he ordered an album of portraits of all his concubines should be made for his reference. This order gave the portrait painters a chance to extort bribes from the concubines, whose fortunes depended on how flattering their portraits were to the emperor. Zhaojun did not want to be a timeserver. Her refusal to bride the painter made her picture in the emperor\'s album very ugly. Thus, she had never had the attention of the emperor until he had to choose one in his harem to be married to the Xiongnu ruler. Zhaojun volunteered herself to go to Xiongnu. When she appeared at the farewell banquet, her beauty stunned Emperor Yuandi, who so far had not met this particular concubine. He regretted having promised such a charming woman to a Xiongnu ruler. However, in his eyes, the dignity and credibility of an emperor were more valuable than a beautiful concubine; then she was escorted out his palace, he changed the title of reign into Jingning in memory of her. Two years later, after her husband\'s death, following the Xiongnu custom, she married his eldest son (the son of the king and the former queen).
Zhaojun\'s marrying to the Xiongnu ruler plays an important role in ending the war with Xiongnu, which led to a peaceful coexistence with Xiongnu. And her contribution will go down in the Chinese history.
Walking along the Xiangxi River in Xingshan County, you will reach an ancient Han cultural tour site, the Zhaojun Village. Here, you can enjoy many historic interests, Zhaojun\'s House, The Dressing Table, Nanmu Well. On the way to The Dressing Table, there are 16 steps, which indicates Zhaojun had lived here for16 years. You can also find a Nanmu block in the water, that\'s why we call the well Nanmu well.
Tel: 0717-2520023
Address: Zhaojun Town, Xingshan County