The Yanbo Platform, also known as the Mars Platform and the Huoshen Platform, is located 1.5 kilometers southwest of the ancient city of Shangqiu. The existing Yanbo Platform is like a tomb, 35 meters high, with a circumference of 270 meters and is built of rammed earth. There are many tiles and pottery shards from the Han Dynasty mixed in the layers of rammed earth, which may have been built in the Han Dynasty.
The original Yanbo Platform is hidden under the existing platform due to the repeated siltation of the Yellow River. The Yanbo Platform is an existing relatively early astronomical observatory in China, with a history of more than 4,000 years. The mound under the Yanbo Platform is the Shangqiu where Yanbo was initially enfeoffed. The place name Shangqiu comes from this. The Yanbo Platform is even taller and more abrupt on the endless plain. This platform is a high point in the area of the ancient Shangqiu capital. Coupled with the ancients’ belief that the essence of the Yanbo Platform corresponds to the Shang star, since ancient times, people have regarded the Yanbo Platform as a symbol of Shangqiu. The scenic area currently has major scenic spots such as the Mausoleum of Suirenshi, Yanbo Platform, Kaiyuan Temple, Huaxi Tower, Botanical Garden, Yuhuang Palace, Fengdu City, Shangzu Hall, Yuelao Palace and so on. According to historical records and folk legends, in ancient times, Qi, the son of Emperor Ku, was the fire official here. First, he managed the fire source so that people could get fire at any time (so later generations also called him the god of fire). Second, he sacrificed to Mars and observed the movement of Mars so as to inform people to prevent disasters and avoid disasters and sow and harvest in a timely manner. Over time, Qi, the fire official who observed the relationship and position between Mars and the Tai Sui star, was called “Yanbo”. After Qi died, people buried him on the high ground where he observed Mars during his lifetime. Later generations called it the Yanbo Platform or the Mars Platform or the Huoshen Platform. The ancient fair from the first day of the first lunar month to the second day of the second lunar month every year attracts millions of people from Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hebei and other provinces to come here to worship at the platform; the China Shangqiu Suirenshi Holy Fire Festival is held during the May Day Golden Week; the “Shang Culture” festival is held during the National Day Golden Week. The Mars Platform is the birthplace of commerce, and Yanbo is the ancestor of businessmen. Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:30 to 17:30. The specific business status is subject to the opening situation on the day. Supplementary note on preferential policies: 1. Free policy: Children under 1.2 meters (inclusive) in height and the elderly over 70 years old (with senior citizen card or other valid certificates) are free. 2. Preferential policies: None for now. 3. People over 1.2 meters (excluding) in height please purchase adult tickets. 4. The above information is for reference only. The specific information is subject to the disclosure on the day at the scenic spot. Please be aware.Shangqiu Huoshentai Temple Fair
The Yanbo Platform, also known as the Mars Platform and the Huoshen Platform, is located 1.5 kilomet[...]
