Zhangbi Ancient Castle

Zhangbi Ancient Castle is located in the Zhangbi Village in Longfeng Town, Shanxi Province. It is the state-level cultural relic protection units, one of the "Chinese top ten charming ancient towns"; also is the second batch of selected "China's historical and cultural name village".

Its city and old castle upper the ground; and underground "myriametre Great Wall" are the most of the world. It is an ancient pocket castle melting military, living, production and religion in the integration. It focuses on the Xia and Shang dynasties' historical cultural sites, Sui and Tang dynasties' ancient tunnel, Yuan Dynasty's stage, Jin Dynasty's tomb, Ming and Qing dynasties' residential culture and a series of Chinese culture essence, having a very high academic research value and tourism ornamental value.

The old castle's elevation is 1040 meters, covering an area of about 0.12 million square meters. Its topography is high in the south and low in the north. Looking down from a height, you can see an ancient strategic defense base, and also you can see it's a place of orderly village.



In the middle, there is a three hundred meters street built by red dinas with three alleys on the east, and four alleys on the west. Both sides of the street, there are shop, ancient dwellings, ancient locust trees embracing the willow, chic entrance to the lane and gatehouse; full of antique north folk architecture color. The most make dazzling thing is that, in this small villages, there are not only dwellings, and the Tang and Song dynasties' temple palace, pavilions, terraces, and towers. The top of these buildings are covered by coloured glaze, and decorated by paint. The most rare thing are the two glass tablet, which is the only one that discovered in China, having very high cultural value.
 

What to See at Zhangbi Ancient Castle

Castle and Fortress

Zhangbi Ancient Castle was built during the Sixteen Kingdoms Period in the Northern Dynasties. It was once a military fortress. Experts speculated that it was one of many dock walls(an ancient defense system) built by Zhang Ping, a powerful man in the post-Zhao Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,600 years. The ground layout of Zhangbi Ancient Castle corresponds to the 28 stars. So far, many precious cultural relics on the ground, such as Khan Temple and glazed monument, are still preserved in the castle. There are castles on the ground and underground tunnels, especially in the northern dynasties, where the ancient tunnel is about 10,000 meters long and has three floors, which are both offensive and defensive.

Tunnels

Zhangbi Ancient Castle also has tunnels over 10,000 meters long, which are skillfully connected with the ground buildings to form a complete defense system. The tunnels of the castle are staggered from the top floor less than 1 meter from the ground to the bottom floor about 20 meters from the ground. There are checkpoints, air holes, grain depots, soldiers' rest area, ambush area, general command area, etc. You can enter the tunnel from every household, and the tunnels can extend to the foot of Mianshan Mountain outside the village.
 

Kongwang Temple and Glazed Monument

The residential pattern of Zhangbi Ancient Castle is rare, which is of great research value. In addition, the intact temple systems carrying villagers' beliefs in the Zhangbi Ancient Castle is complete. There are 16 temples with various kinds from Song Dynasty to Ming and Qing Dynasties, and each has its own beauty and uniqueness.

The religious temple buildings in Zhangbi Ancient Castle can be roughly divided into two areas: north and south. Among them, the temples in the north are more beautiful. There are Erlang Temple, Lvzu Pavilion, Kongwang Temple, Zhenwu Hall and the Sandashi Hall in the north of Zhangbi Ancient Castle, among which Zhenwu Hall is the most spectacular and majestic. There are also nine-ridged Bell and Drum Towers with glazed roofs on the left and right sides of the temple. The whole group of buildings are all three-color glazed roofs except the Sandashi Hall, which are resplendent and magnificent.

Glazed Monument

In addition to the amazing architecture and decoration, the Kongwang Temple in Zhangbi Ancient Castle is known for its two glazed monuments. Glazed monuments are very rare, and it is also the only glazed monument found in China, with very high cultural value. These two glazed monuments are made of colored glaze, including the cap, the body and the pedestal, all of which are made of glaze once and then spliced. The hat of the glazed monuments is a pattern of yellow and green two dragons playing. The body of the monument is a peacock blue. And the history of the Buddha and the construction of the temple are described in black characters.
 

Best Places to Photograph at Zhangbi Ancient Castle

Zhenwu Hall: The Bell and Drum Towers at the Zhenwu Hall are very suitable for taking photos with the exquisite roofs with colored glaze.

Erlang Temple: At the Erlang Temple, you can take photos of the colored paintings and have a panoramic view of the Zhangbi Ancient Castle.

South Gate of the Zhangbi Ancient Castle: The south gate of the Zhangbi Ancient Castle is suitable for taking photos with its walls.

Tunnel of Zhangbi Ancient Castle: And the tunnel of the Zhangbi Ancient Castle is also suitable for taking photos.
 

How to Get to Zhangbi Ancient Castle

Flight

You can take the airport bus from Taiyuan Airport to Taiyuan Bus Station, then take taxi to Jiexiu to Zhangbi Ancient Castle.
 

Train

You can take train and high-speed train to get to the Zhangbi Ancient Castle. Taking train, you should get off at the Jiexiu Railway Station(介休站). Then you can take the bus 301 to get to the Zhangbi Ancient Castle from the Jiexiu Railway Station.

Taking the high-speed train, you should get off at the Jiexiu East Railway Station(介休东站). Then you can take the bus 301 to get to the Zhangbi Ancient Castle from the Jiexiu East Railway Station.
 

Taxi

You can take taxi to the Zhangbi Ancient Castle from Jiexiu downtown.