Yinan, Shandong: Visiting Zhuge Liang’s Hometown to Experience Ingenuity of “Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse”

LINYI, China, March 5, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

The “Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse,” a transport tool invented by the renowned statesman and military strategist Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period, embodies the exceptional mechanical engineering wisdom of ancient China. Recently, a group of primary school students in Zhuge Liang’s birthplace – Zhuanbu Town, Yinan County, Shandong Province – visited the Zhuge Liang Hometown Memorial Hall for an immersive study tour.

 

Surrounded by a millennium-old ginkgo tree, a solemn statue, and vivid reliefs tracing Zhuge Liang’s life, they examined a restored model of the Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse. Observing its distinctive structure and testing its movement, the students experienced firsthand the brilliance of a design said to operate without wind or water power.

 

During the program, instructors introduced the invention’s historical background and working principles, revealing how sophisticated mechanical concepts were applied more than 1,700 years ago. Through hands-on exploration and active discussion, students engaged directly with Zhuge Liang’s spirit of innovation.

 

As the hometown of Zhuge Liang, Yinan County has long been committed to preserving and promoting his cultural legacy. Today, the Zhuge Liang Hometown Memorial Hall has become a specialized base for experiential learning. Through a combination of “storytelling and hands-on activities,” traditional elements such as the Wooden Ox and Gliding Horse, as well as Zhuge’s Admonitions to My Son, are made tangible and accessible. This engaging approach not only deepens students’ understanding of traditional Chinese culture but also sparks their curiosity in scientific exploration, ensuring that centuries-old wisdom continues to inspire new generations.

 

Source: Information Office of Yinan County People’s Government