[2024 Jiexiu Attraction] Travel Guide for Zhang Bi Ancient Fortress (Updated Nov)
No.8 of Best Things to Do in Jinzhong
Ancient Villages
Military Sites
Address:
Zhangbi Village, Longfeng Township, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong City
Opening times:
Open tomorrow at 08:00-17:30Closed Today
Recommended sightseeing time:
2 hours
Phone:
400-116-1600,18503487660
The RMB 75 Zhangbi Ancient Castle is worth a visit.
If you have an annual pass, this attraction is worth a visit.
If you are fascinated by underground tunnels, this attraction is worth a visit.
🚉Transportation tips:
Bus 301 departs from Jiexiu Station every half hour, RMB 3 per ride, 1 ride per hour.
🗓Route:
Nanbao Gate - Guandi Temple - Ancient Military Training Ground - Astrology Culture Exhibition Hall - Kuixing Tower - Kehan Temple - Underground Tunnel - Longhefu - Yongchun Tower - Yulong Temple - Kongwang Temple - Erlang Temple
📝Tips:
1. Gate: The scenic area has a south gate and a north gate. The main entrance is on the south side, and the bus stop is also on this side. Pay attention to the navigation if you drive.
2. Tunnel: One-way, no return. Check out the scenery near Guandi Temple before entering the tunnel. Be sure to climb the city wall and overlook the attractions in front of you. The terrain is high in the south and low in the north. The tunnel takes about 30 minutes.
3. Ancient buildings: Don't miss the unique "Fu" character. The glazed stele in Kongwang Temple is very exquisite, but unfortunately it is covered by glass. Erlang Temple is now a glazed exhibition hall, where you can see many exquisite glazed items.
4. Terrain: The road from Jiexiu to the scenic area is uphill. The south gate is the highest point. Although the north side is lower, the houses are basically flat. Pay attention to the waterway on the main street. It was originally used for drainage from south to north, but now there is always water to prevent the air from drying out. The scenic area is very thoughtful.
5. Performance: The scenic area has regular performances, but the quality is average, so you don't need to wait for them.
6. Along the way: You will pass by Lingkong Tower on the way, which is a warm-up for Zhangbi Ancient Castle. It is a paid attraction, similar to the free Shigong Tower in the urban area, so you don't need to buy a ticket to enter.
BLAKE HAWKINS
Three Thousand Worlds.
Pingyao → Zhangbi Ancient Castle → Wang Family Courtyard → Pingyao → Shuanglin Temple|||The transportation for the entire route is very inconvenient. If you are not driving yourself and only using public transportation, you either need to have plenty of time and stay overnight in Jiexiu, or be prepared to take a taxi. First, from Pingyao to Jiexiu, there is a bus from Jiexiu to Zhangbi Ancient Castle. The bus stop is right outside the train station, but the schedule is uncertain, with buses running about once an hour. You can ask for more information when you get there. Zhangbi Ancient Castle is not very big, and about 3 hours is enough to explore it. There is no direct transportation from Zhangbi Ancient Castle to Wang Family Courtyard, so you need to take a bus back to Jiexiu and then go to Wang Family Courtyard. In this case, you will probably need to take a taxi, which costs about 50 yuan. Alternatively, you can take a train from Jiexiu to Lingshi, and then take a bus from Lingshi to Wang Family Courtyard. The route depends on your schedule. We planned to do it in one day, and we booked a car for the two segments in between. It is difficult to book a car in Jiexiu, and almost all of them are taxis. After a day of sightseeing, we returned to Pingyao from Lingshi. It is very convenient to get from Pingyao to Shuanglin Temple. You can take bus 108 near the train station, which goes directly to the temple. While waiting for the bus, private car drivers may approach you and ask if you want a ride. You can negotiate the price, and they can take you there for 8 yuan. The choice is yours. Shuanglin Temple is really worth visiting. The craftsmanship of the various hanging sculptures of gods and Buddhas in the Three Thousand Worlds is particularly exquisite.
SamuelLivingston271
Zhangbi Ancient Castle.
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is a miniature ancient castle in Jiezhou City, Shanxi Province, China, with rich historical and cultural connotations and unique architectural style. The ancient castle was formed during the Northern Dynasty and the Sixteen Kingdoms, and gradually formed a five-level military defense system with "above-ground castle, underground tunnel" as the main structure through three stages: fortification, military town, and defensive village. The ancient castle is 374 meters long from east to west, 244 meters wide from north to south, and covers an area of 120,000 square meters. The castle has a rich and diverse culture, including ancient tunnels, Khan Temple, Kongwangxing Temple, Liuli Monument, ancient stage and many other cultural relics. The ancient castle has a five-level ancient military defense system with castle gates, alley gates, secondary alley gates, courtyard gates, and tunnels. The tunnel is 20 meters deep from the ground, divided into upper, middle and lower three layers, with a total length of more than 10,000 meters, and is a typical representative of the northern fortress in China with high historical, artistic and scientific value.
EllaDawson853
Travel Shanxi with Hei Wukong.
Travel Shanxi with Hei Wukong
Feihong Tower
This is a glazed pagoda in the style of a pavilion. It is octagonal in shape and has a cross-hipped roof. The tower is 47.31 meters high and hollow inside. The top of the tower is decorated with a glazed caisson. The tower is built of blue bricks, and each floor is inlaid with yellow, green, blue, purple, and white glazed decorations. Each floor has eight sides, and each side is different. From the first floor to the thirteenth floor, the decorations are exquisitely made. There are mighty and majestic warriors, pavilions surrounded by clouds and smoke, kind and benevolent Buddhas, and solemn and dignified Bodhisattvas. The poses are varied, and none of them are the same.
Feihong Tower is the only glazed tower found so far that has left the inscription of craftsmen. It is the largest and most complete glazed tower. Whenever the wind blows, the 114 golden bells on the tower sway with the wind, making a crisp and pleasant sound, as if telling the vicissitudes and changes of a thousand years.
Adult ticket 70 yuan, round-trip sightseeing car fare 20 yuan
⌚️Tour time 3 hours
Zhangbi Ancient Castle
A rare miniature city, known as a miracle in the history of world architecture! It is called a miniature because it covers an area of only 0.12 square kilometers, but it has everything and is full of mystery! This is Zhangbi Ancient Castle at the foot of Mianshan in Jiexiu. It was built during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. It is the only remaining and rare ancient defensive village cultural relic in China, and it is a complete specimen!
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This miniature military ancient castle with a history of 1600 years has witnessed the turbulent changes of dynasties, the arduous process of national integration, and the joys and sorrows of village development! In order to avoid war, there is a huge tunnel system built by the ancients underground in Zhangbi, with a total length of nearly ten kilometers. The traps in the tunnel, communication channels, peepholes, ambush channels, and drainage outlets are all available!
The many temples in Zhangbi are also a highlight. There are 16 existing temples in the ancient castle, such as the Kongwang Buddha Temple, Zhenwu Temple, Erlang Temple, Guandi Temple, etc., all of which are located near the north and south gates, most of which are built on the city wall! Very characteristic!
Yuci Old City
Ticket price: 70 yuan
It was formerly known as "Fengcheng" and was built in the second year of Sui Kaihuang (582 AD), and has a long history of 1441 years. The most worth visiting is the Yuci Chenghuang Temple, which was built in the Yuan Dynasty, the Shanmen was in the Ming Dynasty, and the plaque was inscribed by the Qing Dynasty. It is quite diverse. In 1999, it was selected as one of the 100 most beautiful ancient buildings in the world. It is said that it is the oldest Chenghuang Temple in China.
Taiheyan Paifang
Located in Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province, it was built in the 23rd year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1897 AD) and has a history of more than 100 years. It is a masterpiece of the heyday of China's Ming and Qing glaze art!
The entire archway is exquisitely crafted and complex, with bright and dazzling colors. A large amount of complex peacock blue glaze is used. The bright turquoise color is dazzling, and the glaze firing technology of peacock blue glaze is said to have been lost. Although it is not open to the public, it does not affect entry.
Jiexiu Houtu Temple
It is a Taoist building complex, built with glazed complex decorations, and can be called a museum of glazed art architecture. According to records, it was created in the Southern and Northern Dynasties or earlier, and most of the existing buildings are relics of the Ming Hongwu period. It is the largest and best-preserved palace-style temple among the existing Houtu temples in China.
Michael Ward Lucas-14
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is full of mystery and history.
Address: Zhangbi Village, Longfeng Township, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong City. Zhangbi Ancient Castle Scenic Area is one of the top ten charming towns in China! I naively thought that the castle was a gorgeous castle like Europe, but the truth is that it is a tunnel, a rugged tunnel with a total length of more than 1,600 meters, a tunnel like a tunnel war! The unique structure of the ancient castle's above-ground Mingbao and underground tunnels, the dangerous geographical location and the external terrain constitute a complete and true ancient defensive village, which is unique in China, can be called a specimen, and is rare in the world.
lumielle_3952
Zhangbi Ancient Castle.
Zhangbi Ancient Castle was likely formed during the Northern Dynasties and Sixteen Kingdoms period, and has gone through three stages: fort, military town, and defensive village. It gradually formed a five-level military defense system with "above-ground castle, underground tunnel" as the main structure. It is known as the "above-ground and underground twin city, castle courtyard temple wall museum village", and is one of the important fortresses of the ancient military fortress Que Shu Valley.
The tunnels are complex and although many areas are not open, if you do not follow the instructions after entering, you may still get lost. The wardrobe is connected to the tunnel. The current open area is about 10%, about one kilometer.
The peacock blue Ming Dynasty glazed stele in the village is also a rare cultural relic.
OLIVIA BUCHANAN
Experience the above-ground ancient castle and underground labyrinth at Zhangbi Ancient Castle in Jiexiu, Shanxi.
Experience the above-ground ancient castle and underground labyrinth at Zhangbi Ancient Castle in Jiexiu, Shanxi. Zhangbi Ancient Castle is located in Zhangbi Village, Longfeng Town, Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province. It was first built during the Sixteen Kingdoms period and covers an area of 12,000 square meters.
1. Zhangbi Ancient Castle is rectangular in shape, 374 meters from east to west and 244 meters from south to north. The castle has a perimeter of 1,300 meters. The castle walls are made of rammed earth and are about 5 to 7 meters high. Most of the structures were built or rebuilt during the Tang Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The ancient castle was built on a high plateau and next to a ditch. It is higher in the south and lower in the north. The left, middle, and right sides of the castle face the ditch, and the back of the castle is against Mianshan Mountain. It is a geomantic treasure land that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and has a way to retreat. 2. The main and secondary streets of the ancient castle are clear, the street and alley layout is strict, the door lintels of the houses are exquisite, and the brick, wood, and stone carvings are exquisite and well-preserved. Zhangbi Ancient Castle has the characteristics of "above-ground Ming Castle, underground secret road". It can be said that it is a comprehensive ancient village that integrates history, religion, military, architecture, commerce, humanities, farming, etc., and has historical value, cultural value, and cultural relics. value.
3. Parking lot P: Charge for admission to the ancient castle: Charge
_21_1991_Tina
Went to Zhangbi Ancient Castle, sharing my true feelings, every word from the heart
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is the only remaining, rare in the world, and a model of a complete ancient fortified village cultural relic in China. It is also a thousand-year-old castle that integrates military, astronomical, religious, folk, and agricultural multi-cultures.
High-speed Rail:
Take the high-speed rail to Jiexiu East Station, then take a bus or taxi to Jiexiu City, and then take the city bus No. 301 to the terminal station of Zhangbi Ancient Castle.
Main Attractions:
Guandi Temple, Kehan Temple, Kongwang Shrine, Erlang Temple, etc., to appreciate the unique charm of ancient architecture.
Precautions:
1: The tunnels in the ancient castle are relatively narrow, so pay attention to safety and avoid crowding when visiting.
2: Most of the ancient buildings in the castle are wooden structures, so be careful of fire and do not smoke when visiting.
KarmaChameleon123
Shanxi, how many hidden treasures do you have!
Unveiling Jiexiu, Shanxi: A One-Day Deep Exploration and Food Guide
In Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, there is a small county town full of historical charm and cultural heritage—Jiexiu. This place is not only a treasure trove of glazed art but also preserves China's only Zoroastrian architecture, making people exclaim: "After visiting Jiexiu, there's no need to see other glazed works." Here is an exciting one-day tour guide to help you appreciate the unique charm of Jiexiu.
Itinerary:
Morning (9:00-12:00)
9:00-10:00 Jiexiu Museum: As the first stop to explore Jiexiu, the museum houses nearly a hundred breathtaking glazed exhibits, including remnants of ancient buildings such as the Houtu Temple and the Wuyue Temple. The museum's treasure is a two-meter-high, one-ton yellow-green-blue glazed chiwen. Don't forget to look for the internet-famous "Xiezhi" emoji artifact, which is adorable.
10:30-12:00 Xianshen Tower: Travel through history and visit China's only remaining Zoroastrian architecture—Xianshen Tower. This ancient building, which integrates the mountain gate, music tower, and street-crossing tower, is renowned for its triple-eaved cross-hipped roof structure and exquisite glazed decorations on the roof. It is one of the "Three Famous Towers of Shanxi" along with Qiufeng Tower and Feiyun Tower in Wanrong County.
Afternoon (14:00-17:00)
14:00-15:00 Chenghuang Temple: Stepping into the glazed capital's Chenghuang Temple feels like entering a dreamy world of glaze. All architectural components, including the roof and hanging fish, are made of glaze, each part shining with historical brilliance. Here, you might also encounter elderly people leisurely playing cards, feeling the tranquility of time.
15:30-16:30 Houtu Temple: As a temple of the Quanzhen sect of Taoism, Houtu Temple enshrines the Houtu Goddess. The main building, Sanqing Tower, has an impressive structural combination. All buildings in the temple, regardless of size, have glazed tile roofs, especially the peacock blue glaze, which is breathtakingly beautiful.
17:00-18:00 Taihe Rock Glazed Archway: Originally a paifang in front of the Zhenwu Temple, although the temple is now destroyed, this Qing Dynasty glazed archway still stands tall. The glazed decorations on the archway reveal the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisans, leaving a lasting impression.
Other Must-Visit Attractions:
In addition to these wonderful attractions in the city, Jiexiu's Zhangbi Ancient Fortress and Mianshan are also must-visit tourist destinations, each attracting numerous visitors with their unique charm.
Food Recommendations:
In Jiexiu, you can not only enjoy beautiful scenery but also taste authentic Shanxi cuisine. Lao Jiexiu Restaurant, Linzi Qieliuzi, and Qiangze Bowl Steamed Tofu are all excellent food choices. Additionally, Shidian Coffee adds a touch of leisurely afternoon time to your trip.
Conclusion:
Shanxi Jiexiu, a place full of history and culture, awaits every traveler to discover and savor. Here, you will feel the unique charm of glazed art, appreciate the grandeur of ancient buildings, and taste authentic Shanxi cuisine. Come, let's enter Jiexiu together and start an unforgettable travel experience!
WanderlustSojourn
Shanxi Travel Guide: A Must-Visit to Zhangbi Ancient Castle
👀What to See
✅Three-level underground military tunnels spanning ten thousand meters
✅Ancient castle architecture
✅Glazed feast
✅Yuan Dynasty stage
✅First village of astrology
✅Characteristic villages of Shanxi
✅Home of the stars from 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'
🚘How to Get There
1️⃣Tourists in Jiexiu City: Take bus 301 to Zhangbi Ancient Castle Station, about 50 minutes, taxi costs 40 yuan, about 25 minutes.
2️⃣Jiexiu High-Speed Rail Station: Take a bus to the city center for 4 yuan, then transfer to bus 4 to the castle, but taking a taxi is more convenient, about 50 yuan, around 30 minutes.
🎫Tickets: 75 yuan for adults / 37 yuan for students
🌟Opening Hours: Peak season 08:00-18:00 / Off-season 08:00-17:00. Visit duration: 4 hours (including photography/listening to explanations)
🏠Accommodation and Dining: There are farmhouse restaurants in the scenic area, mainly serving noodles, and inns like Guhuai Inn/Third Place Inn; in the city (10KM from the scenic area), there are chain hotels like Home Inn and Hanting.
🌈Tips:
1️⃣The castle can be visited together with Wang Family Courtyard. To save time, I took a taxi from Wang Family Courtyard to the castle for 50 yuan. It's best to keep the driver's phone number for a return trip, as it's hard to get a Didi ride.
2️⃣The castle is located on the Loess Plateau, with temperatures 3° lower than the city, and 5° lower in the tunnels. Wear a jacket and sports shoes when entering the tunnels.
3️⃣On the way from Wang Family Courtyard, you will pass by Jie Zitui's hometown and the entrance to Mianshan Scenic Area, the origin of the Cold Food Festival.
4️⃣For a detailed tour, you can hire a guide. Local high school and college students work as guides during holidays, costing around 60 yuan, which is very practical.
5️⃣There is an amusement park inside, suitable for parent-child activities.
ryndalyn_1629
Shanxi, you don't promote this place, you are confused
🏛️:
Compared to Qiao's Compound and Wang's Compound,
I prefer this ancient village hidden in the deep mountains, Zhangbi Ancient Castle.
It is not only an ancient village but also one of the more intact miniature "castles" in China that integrates military, residential, productive, astronomical, and religious activities.
⭐ Visitor's Guide:
Zhangbi Ancient Castle was built during the Northern Dynasties and Sixteen Kingdoms period,
it was once a military fortress and has a history of over 1600 years.
Zhangbi Ancient Castle encompasses many cultural relics and historical sites, including the ancient cultural sites of the Xia and Shang dynasties, Northern Dynasties tunnels, Jin dynasty tombs, Yuan dynasty stages, and Ming and Qing dynasty residential buildings.
The layout of the ground in Zhangbi Ancient Castle corresponds to the twenty-eight constellations,
with bright castles above ground and secret passages below. The ancient tunnels from the Northern Dynasties are about ten thousand meters long, with three levels, upper, middle, and lower, equipped for both attack and defense, which is quite magical.
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is located in Jiexiu, which is known as the 'Hometown of Colored Glaze Art',
and the colored glaze of Zhangbi Ancient Castle is its typical representative.
The temples and halls in the ancient castle are mostly covered with colored glaze, with dragons and phoenixes flying, animals running, peonies blooming, warriors standing quietly, the colors are gorgeous, the craftsmanship is exquisite, and they still shine brightly after hundreds of years.
📍 Detailed Address: Zhangbi Ancient Castle
🚌 It is about a 30-minute drive from Jiexiu county town, suitable for self-driving; take bus 301 from Jiexiu Train Station directly to Zhangbi Ancient Castle, departing every half past the hour, with one bus per hour, the last bus at 17:20.
🎫 75 yuan
Noah_Harrison88
The image of Erlang God at this site in Shanxi is a bit different! Have you seen it before?
This set of Erlang God and his Seven Sages of Meishan colored sculptures were photographed at the Erlang Temple in Zhangbi Ancient Fortress, Jiexiu, Shanxi. He holds a trident halberd, with the roaring celestial hound by his side, looking majestic, detesting evil as if it were an enemy, and the image is unforgettable! Although the colored sculptures are newly made, they are also one of the rare fine works I have seen! But upon closer inspection, it seems that this Erlang God is different from the traditional image we have in mind. This Erlang God, like ordinary people, has only two eyes instead of three!
In Chinese folk belief, Erlang God is a deity with a quite extensive influence. In fact, Erlang God originated from the Guankou God in the Shu area before the Song Dynasty. Later, there were Li Erlang (Li Bing's second son), Zhao Erlang (Zhao Yu), and the well-known Yang Erlang (Yang Jian) evolution. Apart from the evolution of the characters, what's more significant is the evolution of the image of Erlang God, especially after the Ming and Qing dynasties, the appearance of the three-eyed Erlang God image has become deeply rooted in people's hearts. So much so that today when talking about Erlang God, the first thing that comes to mind is the three-eyed one, but all these are part of the historical evolution of the image of Erlang God!
ambrosial_brianna
A miniature "castle" built during the Sixteen Kingdoms period
In Shanxi, there is a miniature ancient castle, where the ground level is a thousand-year-old fortress, and beneath lies an ancient tunnel system akin to a "ten-thousand-meter Great Wall".
The ancient castle is located in Jiezhou City, Shanxi, and was originally constructed during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. It is one of the well-preserved rare ancient miniature "castles" in China that integrates military, residential, production, and religious activities.
Legend has it that this was the place where Liu Wuzhou, from the end of the Sui Dynasty to the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, resisted Li Shimin. He held out in the ancient castle for a long time.
Attractions and cultural relics introduction:
◼️ The tunnels of Zhangbi Ancient Castle
Resemble a labyrinth, filled with numerous traps and hidden weapons, said to be designed for defense against enemies, including a general's command room.
◼️ Khan Temple
Built to commemorate Liu Wuzhou.
◼️ Kui Xing Tower
A place for praying for academic success.
◼️ Kong Wang Buddha Temple
A place for worshipping Kong Wang Buddha.
These key protected cultural relics are all important components of Zhangbi Ancient Castle. They not only reflect the high level of ancient Chinese architecture and culture but also serve as important testimonies to Chinese history and culture.
N1ghtw1sp_Wh1spl3
Zhangbi Ancient Castle in Shanxi - An Unsolved Mystery of History
Located in Zhangbi Village, Jiexiu City, Shanxi Province, it was built during the Later Zhao period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, with a history of over 1600 years. Featuring above-ground bright castles and underground dark fortresses, it is a large-scale ancient military defense village that integrates architecture, astronomy, military, folklore, and religious culture. In 2017, it was a filming location for the show 'Where Are We Going, Dad?'🎬. There are no written records of it, making it an unsolved mystery of history! It has been rated as China's number one astronomical village, the 'living fossil' of ancient villages in northern China, and the 'treasure basin forgotten by history'. Ticket price: 67 yuan (online), open from 8:00-18:00. There is a parking lot at the entrance (10 yuan parking fee). Tour route: South Gate → Guandi Temple → Tunnels → 'Where Are We Going, Dad?' themed courtyard of Du Jiang's family → Laifu Vinegar Defense → Grandma's House → Yongchun Tower → Hongshun Street → Kongwangxing Ancestral Hall, Peacock Blue Glazed Stele