2025 Qinshui Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

The Liu Family Residence was established in the 29th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1550), covering an area of approximately 4,032 square meters. This residence was the former home of Liu Yuchun, whose ancestral home was in Qinshui and who served as a deputy magistrate in Huachang Prefecture, Shaanxi. The Liu Family Residence is well-preserved, with the Wenxing River to the east and a mountain valley to the south. At the northern and southern ends of the eastern part, tall protective walls were built due to the low terrain, with brick kiln-style structures beneath the walls facing outward from the village. The Liu Family Residence is situated on a large platform between the high southeast wall and the lower northwest wall. The residence faces south and consists of a total of 114 rooms. The courtyards are divided into two groups, with the village street running east-west as the central axis, and two courtyards arranged side by side on the north and south sides. Originally, there were 13 courtyards, but only 4 remain today. Except for two stone archways built during the Ming Dynasty, the rest of the buildings date from the Qing Dynasty. The layout of the Liu Family Residence is arranged in single and double courtyards, with architectural styles mostly featuring Xianshan and Yingshan roofs. Divided by the village street, the north and south sides are symmetrically distributed with a compact architectural layout. The rear wall of the south courtyard is aligned east-west and features a street-crossing building. The courtyard gates bear inscriptions of the courtyard names in regular script, and all four courtyards are enclosed quadrangles. The Liu Family Residence fills a historical gap in the study of Liu Zongyuan in China and provides authentic and reliable evidence for the inheritance of Liu Zongyuan’s culture. It also remedies the historical absence of traces of the famous Shanxi native Liu Zongyuan in his homeland. The residence is well-preserved, distinctive, and holds both aesthetic and historical research value. The architectural concepts, ethics, values, and aesthetic views embodied in the Liu Family Residence fully reflect profound cultural connotations. The quantity and quality of preserved cultural relics here are rare in Shanxi Province and even in China, making it highly valuable for research. It is a nationally protected key cultural relic, a Chinese historical and cultural village, and one of the first batch of traditional Chinese villages.

The Zhongxian Residence is a treasure among the Liu family dwellings and a classic example of Qing Dynasty architecture, featuring exquisite stone carving art. It was once the mansion of Liu Chunfang, styled Zitong, a jinshi scholar from Qinshui who passed the imperial examination in the Gengwu year of the Jiaqing reign (1810) and was honored with the title "Zhongxian Dafu." Later, the Zhongxian Residence was cleverly transformed into a study, earning the name "Gengdu Shuxiang," symbolizing the Liu family's tradition of cultivating both farming and scholarship. The carvings on the gate tell the story "A day in the cave is a thousand years in the world," meaning "Life is destined, and the world is unpredictable," teaching descendants to cherish time. Behind the main gate is a well-preserved stone stele inscribed with the "Four Words" by the famous Ming Dynasty calligrapher Fang Yuanhuan from Liangjiang, which continues to hold great educational significance for future generations in family values and legacy.

The Sima Residence was originally built in the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the Qing Dynasty. It consists of one main entrance and two courtyards. Liu Lin, the grandson of Liu Chunfang, was the top scholar in the imperial examination and served as the county Sima (military officer). By imperial decree, he renovated the gatehouse, and both his grandfather and father were posthumously honored by the court as Zhongxian Dafu (High-ranking Officials). The gate features nine layers of dougong brackets, hence it is called a "gate niche," symbolizing the family's status. This is considered a unique feature among traditional Chinese architectural gates. Below are twelve cultural symbols including "matching families," "Grand Tutor (Lion) and Junior Protector," "Divine (Rope) Lion guarding the house," and "Prosperity of the household." Inside the courtyard, the residence preserves the most complete and exquisite carved screen wall in a folk house, showcasing distinctive wood carvings that depict the Liu family’s journey from "fishing, woodcutting, farming, and studying" to "ups and downs in officialdom," as well as various carved window patterns.

The first building within the nationally protected Liu Family Residence is the Guandi Temple, built on a small hill. Both Guan Yu and the Liu family ancestor hail from Hedong, so the Guandi Temple became the Wang Temple of Xiwengxing Village and was constructed in the most prominent location at the village entrance. The exact founding date of the Guandi Temple is unknown, but according to the "Stele Inscription for the Renovation of Guandi Temple" from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the temple was rebuilt in 1559, with an earlier original construction date. It underwent several renovations during the Qing Dynasty. The Guandi Temple mainly consists of a gate tower, opera stage, main hall, and side viewing towers, still preserving the style and structure of the Ming Dynasty to this day.

**🚩 Route Guide (Color-Coded)** 1. **🟢 Main Entrance (South Gate)** → Pass through the stone archway, walk straight along the cobblestone path to reach the core area of the fortress. 2. **🔵 Defense Line (Blue)**: Climb the city wall → Hidden soldier caves → Watchtower (best panoramic view). 3. **🟡 Residential Culture Line (Yellow)**: Ming Dynasty official residence "Sandutang" → Brick-carved courtyards → Ancient well alley. 4. **🟣 Ancestral Hall and Temple Line (Purple)**: Sun Family Ancestral Hall → Wenchang Pavilion → Guan Yu Temple. 5. **🔴 Exit (East Gate)**: Pass by the ancient opera stage to conclude your visit. **📌 Tips**: The entire tour takes about 2 hours on foot. Wear comfortable shoes as some steps are steep. --- **🍜 Local Food Recommendations** 1. **Qinshui River Noodles**: Handmade buckwheat noodles with pickled vegetable sauce. The "Sun Family Noodle Shop" at the fortress entrance is the most authentic. 2. **Xiangyu Grilled Tofu**: Local yellow bean tofu grilled on an iron plate, crispy outside and tender inside, best enjoyed with chili sauce! 3. **Millet Pancakes**: Filled with jujube paste or pickled vegetables, often freshly made and sold at village markets for breakfast. 4. **Wild Honey Walnut Cake**: Available at small stalls inside the fortress, sweet but not overly rich, perfect as a souvenir. **🌟 Hidden Gem**: During festivals, you might get to try the "Eight Eight Banquet" (8 cold dishes and 8 hot traditional dishes). ---

Hey everyone👋! Has a song ever sparked your wanderlust, like a gust of wind carrying the majestic Taihang Mountains and the mystique of ancient castles, opening the door to your yearning for a southeastern Shanxi city? The song "Beautiful Jincheng" did just that for me. "The mountains of Jincheng, majestic and magnificent, the peaks of Taihang, shrouded in clouds and mist, the walls of ancient castles, steeped in history, the waters of the Dan River, flowing for thousands of years, the moon over Jueshan Mountain, casting its clear brilliance, the drums of Gaoping, resounding through the heavens, the beauty of Jincheng, a myriad of charms, waiting for you to explore, this beautiful land." These passionate and evocative lyrics vividly depict the unique charm of Jincheng, making me eager to embrace this city. In March, filled with anticipation, I embarked on a journey to Jincheng. Check out my travel guide! 🌆Jincheng, located in the southeastern part of Shanxi Province, is a city with a rich history and culture, nestled in the embrace of the Taihang Mountains. Here, you'll find the majestic and beautiful Jueshan Mountain, with its twin peaks facing each other, resembling a fairyland; ancient castle villages scattered like stars, such as Xiangyu Castle and the Imperial City of the Huangcheng Chancellor, with their mottled walls, bearing witness to the prosperity and vicissitudes of the past; and the steaming Gaoping Mausoleum of Emperor Yan, carrying the ancient memories of the Chinese nation. In March, spring returns to Jincheng. Although there is still a slight chill in the air, under the warm sun, everything is revived, and the city gradually reveals its vitality. 🚗Transportation Guide ✈️By Air: You can first arrive at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport or Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, and then transfer to high-speed rail or long-distance bus to Jincheng. Transportation is convenient. Jincheng East Railway Station has many trains, and the surrounding buses and taxis are readily available, which can quickly take you to various scenic spots. The city buses mostly operate from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can use Alipay or WeChat to pay for the bus fare. Check the bus app for real-time information before traveling. 🚗If you are driving by yourself, Jincheng has a well-developed highway network around it, with clear road signs to various scenic spots. There are plenty of parking lots in the scenic areas, making parking convenient. 🗺Recommended Itinerary Day1️⃣: Jueshan Mountain - Qinglian Temple (Climb Jueshan Mountain in the morning to admire the unique peaks and rocks and experience Taoist culture. Visit Qinglian Temple in the afternoon to appreciate ancient architecture and Buddhist art treasures. Watch the sunset at the foot of Jueshan Mountain in the evening.) Day2️⃣: The Imperial City of the Huangcheng Chancellor - Guoyu Ancient Castle (Visit the Imperial City of the Huangcheng Chancellor in the morning to appreciate the grandeur of the Ming and Qing official residences and explore historical stories. Go to Guoyu Ancient Castle in the afternoon, wander through the ancient streets and alleys, and feel the simplicity and profoundness of the ancient castle.) Day3️⃣: Gaoping Mausoleum of Emperor Yan - Dayang Ancient Town (Visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Yan in the morning to learn about the culture of the ancestor of the Chinese nation. Stroll through Dayang Ancient Town in the afternoon, experience traditional handicrafts, and taste Gaoping's specialties.) 🌟Must-See Attractions 📍Jueshan Mountain: Take the cable car up the mountain, and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. The top of the mountain offers a wide view, overlooking the rolling Taihang Mountains, surrounded by clouds and mist. "Jueshan Spits the Moon" is a wonder of the ages. When night falls, the bright moon hangs high between the twin peaks, picturesque📷. 📍The Imperial City of the Huangcheng Chancellor: This large complex of official residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties is magnificent. The Imperial Book Tower is resplendent, the Middle Path Village is majestic, and the Hidden Soldier Cave is ingeniously designed. Walking through it is like traveling back to that era of change, feeling the glory and decline of official families. 📌Practical Tips 1. Book Jueshan Mountain tickets online in advance, including the cable car. Wear comfortable shoes. The temperature on the mountain is slightly lower, so dress warmly. Qinglian Temple is free. You can hire a guide to learn more about its history and culture. 2. Online booking of tickets for the Imperial City of the Huangcheng Chancellor offers discounts. The scenic area is large, and the tour time is long. You can check the performance schedule in advance to make your visit more enjoyable. Guoyu Ancient Castle tickets can be purchased on-site or online. Respect the castle's preservation rules. 3. The Gaoping Mausoleum of Emperor Yan is free. Visit with reverence. Dayang Ancient Town is free and has a lot of delicious food. Stroll around and taste Gaoping's specialties such as roasted tofu and sanzi. Pay attention to food hygiene. 🍜Local Food Recommendations 🥘Gaoping Roasted Tofu: This is a signature dish of Gaoping, Jincheng. After roasting and stewing, the tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Topped with special garlic sauce and chili oil, it tastes spicy and delicious. A bowl in the early morning is warming and appetizing👍. 🥟Sanzi: A traditional Jincheng noodle dish, thin as silk, crispy and fragrant. It can be eaten dry or soaked in soup, with a unique flavor. It is a regular on local dining tables. 🏨Hotel Accommodation 📍City Center: Jincheng Hotel, with a superior location near the city's bustling area, is extremely convenient for travel and shopping. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with complete facilities and attentive service, allowing you to fully experience the city's prosperity. 📍Yangcheng County (near the Imperial City of the Huangcheng Chancellor): Huangcheng Xiangfu VIP Building, located near the scenic area, has a beautiful environment and convenient transportation. Some rooms offer views of the ancient castle. After a day of sightseeing, you can fall asleep with the tranquility of the ancient castle and enjoy a pleasant vacation. 💖Travel Experience During these three days in March in Jincheng, I felt like I was immersed in a world of ancient charm and beautiful landscapes. The magnificence of Jueshan Mountain, the solemnity of the Imperial City of the Huangcheng Chancellor, and the delicious food all fascinated me. Humming "Beautiful Jincheng" and strolling through the streets of Jincheng, I truly felt the charm of this city. Everything here is like an endless poem of southeastern Shanxi, a never-ending painting of the Taihang Mountains. I look forward to coming back next time and continuing to explore this land of Jincheng💕.

🚩Jincheng | A hidden mountain village 🎏A true paradise🌸 "Steal half a day of leisure, the greatest joy in life is simple pleasure" 🌿[Hu Jia Zhang] Built along the mountainside, the houses are scattered at different heights and distances, creating a picturesque scene. From afar, the buildings are dotted among ancient locust trees 🌳 and green pines🌲, resembling an ancient mountain village ink painting🔮. It boasts both unique cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery. 🪔️Explore 500 years of history Hu Jia Zhang Ancient Village, with a history of nearly 500 years, was a resting place for Emperor Kangxi during his private visits and an ancient post station on the Qin River salt and iron trade route. Each courtyard here carries a rich history and culture. ⛩️Experience the charm of traditional architecture Ancient houses, exquisite ancestral halls, and temples with local characteristics🏯, preserving architectural complexes from the Ming and Qing dynasties, together constitute the unique style and charm of this place. 📷Picture-perfect photo spots The ancient village is nestled beside mountains and rivers🏞, offering stunning scenery and numerous photo spots. Whether you're taking photos for yourself or sharing them on social media, you're sure to get tons of likes!👍 🏠Unique homestay experience Room types are customized based on the characteristics of ancient courtyards, catering to family gatherings, friend reunions, or those seeking a mountain retreat. Enjoy an artistic and tranquil stay amidst lush greenery and clear waters. 🍲Dongpo Courtyard's special farmhouse dishes Using fresh fish and freshly picked vegetables, you can savor the gifts of nature with unique and delicious flavors. Focus on natural, healthy, and delicious cuisine!🥒 Also equipped with mahjong rooms🀄, tea rooms🍵, children's leisure areas, and other entertainment facilities. 🗺️Surroundings: ✔️1.7 km from Xiangyu Ancient Fortress ✔️10 km from the ancient city of Guoyu in Huangcheng Xiangfu

Douzhuang Ancient Building Complex is located to the west of Keshan Mountain and surrounded by water on three sides. The overall layout is in the shape of a swastika, with no cross streets inside, only a large T-shaped street and several small T-shaped streets. There are city gates at the junction of the streets and the city walls, with a total of eight city gates, plus the "Wengcheng" built by the Shangshu Mansion, collectively known as the "Nine Gates and Nine Passes", similar to the layout of Beijing, so it is known as "Little Beijing". On both sides of the street are two-story quadrangle courtyards, including the Shangshu Mansion, Dou's Courtyard, Chang's Courtyard, Jia's Courtyard, Flagpole Courtyard, South Gate Courtyard, Pawnshop Courtyard, Shijinshidi, and shops. The buildings in the courtyard are mostly three-story structures with basements. The stairs are located on the side of the door or in a corner of the courtyard, and the direction of the stairs is not in one direction, but changes direction after each floor. The second floor of the courtyard is equipped with a corridor, which is connected to each other, forming a complete defense system.

Courtyards, castles, and ancient cities in northern China are always beautiful, practical, and multifunctional. They may look like residences, but they could be tunnels, arsenals, or training grounds. Every time you explore them, you will be surprised and fall in love with them. The 40th stop of the Shanxi Tour Series is Xiangyu Ancient Castle, a treasure trove with multiple functions. 🟡️Overall structure: Xiangyu Ancient Castle is the hometown of Sun Juxiang, Minister of Revenue, and Sun Dingxiang, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It was built in the 42nd year of the Wanli period along the river. The village is surrounded by a city wall over 1,000 meters long. The arched windows on the city wall and the houses inside the city are densely packed, like a honeycomb, so it is also called "Honeycomb City" by the locals. 🟡️Origin of the ancient castle: Xiangyu Village existed as a natural village as early as the late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties. The Sun family moved here to avoid the chaos of the dynastic change. In the late Ming Dynasty, the society was in turmoil, and the villagers rebuilt the village into a fortress that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. 📌TIPS: 📍Location: Search for Xiangyu Ancient Castle on the map. 💰Ticket: CNY 65/person 🅿️Parking: There is a parking lot in front of the scenic area, CNY 10/time. ⏰️Tour duration: 1-2 hours 🟣️Nearby: 🌵Huangcheng Xiangfu 🌵Guoyu Ancient City 🌵Situ Town 💟2-day 1-night itinerary: ✅Day 1: Huangcheng Xiangfu (tour duration: 2-3 hours) - Guoyu Ancient City (tour duration: 2-3 hours) (The two attractions are adjacent to each other and can be visited together). There is a live performance "Back to Xiangfu" at Huangcheng Xiangfu in the evening, which is very impressive and worth seeing. You can stay nearby after the show. We recommend the Ming and Qing Courtyard Homestay in Guoyu Ancient City, which is authentic (If you stay here, the tickets and parking for Guoyu Ancient City are free). ✅Day 2: 🔰First stop: Xiangyu Ancient Castle (17 minutes drive from the above two attractions) 🔰Second stop: Situ Town (57 minutes drive from Xiangyu Ancient Castle) Tour duration: 4-5 hours. There are various performances and small shows in the town during the day. Please refer to the scenic area announcement for details. There is a Dashuhua performance in the evening, which is worth seeing.

Xiangyu Castle is located in Qingshui, Shanxi Province, and is a Ming Dynasty castle with a rich history and unique charm. It is located in the Taihang Mountains. The castle walls are tall and strong, surrounding the castle like loyal guards. The walls are covered with lookout holes, shooting holes, and battlements, showing the wisdom and majesty of military defense. The buildings inside the castle are unique, with courtyards such as "Sandutang," "Shuai Mansion," and "Ten Courtyards" standing in rows, connected to each other like a maze, making people marvel at the ingenuity of the ancients. Walking on the bluestone road and touching the mottled walls, it seems as if you can touch the texture of history. Exquisite wood carvings, brick carvings, and stone carvings can be seen everywhere, and the delicate craftsmanship shows the prosperity and wealth of the past. The hidden soldier caves in the castle are even more unique, with caves within caves, crisscrossing and complex, which can be used to store soldiers and supplies, playing a vital role in times of war. Xiangyu Castle is not only an ancient architectural complex but also a vivid history book. It condenses the wisdom and sweat of the ancients, shining brightly in the long river of time, attracting people to come and uncover its mysterious veil and appreciate its unique charm.

|How about the murals here? . In Jincheng, there is a hidden treasure - the murals in the West Temple of Shishi Village. Although this place is not large, with only three small halls, it houses excellent murals from the early Qing Dynasty. The main hall of the West Temple in Shishi Village, Qinshui City, Shanxi Province, is full of preserved murals. The ages of the buildings and murals are clear, making it a very precious specimen. The West Temple of Shishi Village is also called Huayan Temple. Now only a small three-bay hall remains, which looks unremarkable. But when you walk into Huayan Temple, you will be attracted by the vivid and smooth murals. Although the number and preservation status of the murals here are not as good as those in some places in southern Shanxi, each one is full of historical charm. Address: Shishi Village, Zhengzhuang Town, Qinshui County, Jincheng City

| There is a firewall. Liu's Residence is the former residence of Liu Yuchun, a native of Qinshui, Tongpan, Huachang Prefecture, Shaanxi. The Liu's Residence is well preserved, with the Xiwengxing River to the east and the valley to the south. The north and south ends of the east side are built with high protective walls due to the low terrain. Under the walls are brick kiln buildings facing outside the village. The Liu's Residence is divided into three parts: the inner mansion area, the outer mansion area, and the middle area. The protective facilities such as alarm bells, tunnels, and firewalls are still preserved. The outer mansion also has high walls and pavilions for defense. It can be seen that safety protection is fully considered in the building. Address: Xiwengxing Village, Tuwo Township, Qinshui County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province Tickets: 50

Xiangyu Ancient Castle is the hometown of Sun Juxiang, the Minister of Revenue in the late Ming Dynasty, and his brother Sun Dingxiang, the Deputy Imperial Censor of the Right. It is a national 4A scenic spot located in Xiangyu Village, Zhengcun Town, Qinshui County, Shanxi Province (Jincheng). It was built in the 42nd year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1614) and completed in the 7th year of the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty (1634). The streets of the ancient castle are arranged in a "three horizontal and nine vertical" checkerboard pattern, which is a perfect display of the most complete "community-type" ancient castle in the north of the Ming Dynasty. 🌼🌼🌼Attraction Experience ✅I personally like it very much. I feel it's worth the trip. Simply put, I've never seen it before. ✅The entire ancient castle is full of ancient atmosphere. For example, Jinci, although famous, "Shengmu Hall" is in the textbooks, can only look up. The houses in the ancient castle are more down-to-earth for ordinary people and more empathetic. ✅The ancient castle is clean and quiet, all are stone roads, and there are probably dozens of people in it at the same time, which is convenient for taking pictures. There are still residents living in it, mostly old people and children. It is not easy for the ancestral house to be preserved to this day. It is also good for children to grow up here since childhood. ✅The streets and alleys are wide and narrow, the scale is appropriate, the layout is good, there are wide courtyards on both sides, not many trees, and there is a thousand-year-old locust tree. No wonder Zhao Hongyu decided to settle here after coming here. 📍Transportation (recommended to drive or take a taxi) 1️⃣It takes about 50 minutes to drive from Meihao International Trade Store in Jincheng, 40 kilometers away, mainly because the mountain road is not fast after getting off the highway. Parking is 10 yuan per car. 2️⃣The taxi fare is quite affordable at 89 yuan, and there are buses, but it takes more time, so it is recommended to take a taxi. 📍Cost The adult ticket is 65, and the child ticket is 32 for children over 1.2 meters. It is not suitable for children's strollers, because there are steps in the houses in the ancient castle.

The Shanxi Qinhe Ancient Castle Group is the largest existing ancient castle group in northern China, located in the Qinhe River Basin in southeastern Shanxi. The ancient castles here make full use of geographical advantages, relying on mountains and rivers, and have established defensive fortifications. Some of the ancient castles in the ancient castle group have unique characteristics and values: Diji City: Built on a small mountain, it is connected to the south of the town and the north of the Qin River. The city wall is built along the river, using the river as a natural barrier, and there are loopholes and forts. It is surrounded by water on three sides and is built on a huge rock protruding in the middle of the Qin River. Because "Diji" refers to the pillar in the middle of the river, and "Ji" refers to water, it is named. The resources here are rich, and it was known as "Tieye Town" in ancient times. The Li family's pig iron casting technique has been passed down for more than 600 years. Xiangyu Ancient Castle: It is the hometown of Sun Juxiang, the Shangjincheng of the Ministry of Households in the Ming Dynasty, and Sun Dingxiang, the right deputy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. It is also known as the "Three Capitals Ancient City". The entire building covers an area of 32,000 square meters and is a typical Ming Dynasty architectural style. The most characteristic building is the "Double Insert Flower" courtyard. Compared with the regular three-entry courtyard and four-entry courtyard, the courtyard is lively and jumping, forming a peculiar appearance with low in the middle and high on both sides, similar to the medieval church in Europe, like the ancient Chinese double insert flower official hat, implying official luck. In addition, the persistence of the old craftsmen in the ancient castle also adds a unique cultural charm to the Qinhe Ancient Castle Group. Such as Shi Yangsheng, the only inheritor of the Li family's pig iron casting technique in Runcheng Town, Yangcheng County, he has many unique skills, such as iron teapots, iron stoves, iron pots, iron wind chimes, etc., which are almost lost old crafts. The Qinhe River Basin Ancient Castle Group is a masterpiece left by the ancient Han people's castle, known as the representative of the "World Eastern Ancient Castle", with a profound historical and cultural heritage, including literary style, family style, architecture, inscriptions, etc., represented by Liu's residence, Xiangyu Ancient Castle, Douzhuang Ancient Architectural Group and Guobi Ancient Town.

Shanxi·Jincheng Xiangyu Ancient Castle·A Super Shocking Niche Treasure Spot 1️⃣ Actually, it is on the same route as the Royal Prime Minister's Mansion and Guoyu Ancient Village, not far apart. Due to limited time, we only visited Xiangyu Ancient Castle. If you have more time, the other two spots are also worth a visit based on their descriptions. 2️⃣ However, some people commented that Xiangyu Ancient Castle is much more interesting than the Royal Prime Minister's Mansion. I guess it's because the castle feels more down-to-earth compared to the mansion. 3️⃣ Transportation (recommended to drive or take a taxi) It takes about 50 minutes to drive 40 kilometers from Jincheng Meihau International Trade Hotel, mainly because the mountain road after exiting the highway is slow. Parking costs 10 yuan per car. 4️⃣ The fixed taxi fare of 89 yuan is quite reasonable. There is also a bus, but it takes more time, so a taxi is recommended. Costs Tickets are 65 yuan for adults, 32 yuan for children over 1.2 meters. It is not suitable for strollers as there are steps in each residential building within the castle. Impressions of the Attraction 5️⃣ I personally liked it very much, it felt worth the trip. Simply put, it was something I had never seen before. 6️⃣ The entire castle exudes an ancient and simple atmosphere. For example, places like Jinci, although famous and with the 'Holy Mother Hall' included in textbooks, can only be admired from afar. In contrast, the residential buildings in the castle feel more down-to-earth and relatable to ordinary people. 7️⃣ The castle is clean and quiet, with stone-paved roads. There were only a few dozen people inside, making it easy to take photos. There are still residents living here, mostly elderly and children. It is remarkable that ancestral homes have been preserved to this day. It is also nice for children to grow up here.

Shanxi Jincheng Hujiashang, this small village hidden deep in the Taihang Mountains, is like an unpolished jade, exuding a simple and charming allure. Following the winding mountain road, the scenery is picturesque all the way. The green mountains undulate, and the trees are lush, as if a huge landscape painting slowly unfolds before your eyes. When Hujiashang finally comes into view, I am struck by its tranquility and simplicity. In the village, the stone-paved roads wind and connect ancient houses. Most of these houses are built of stone, with clear traces of time. Stone walls, gray tiles, and wooden windows all reveal the sediment of time and the weight of history. Walking in the village, it feels like traveling back in time, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I came to a small stream near the village, where the water is clear and flows gently. Wildflowers bloom along the stream, adding a touch of bright color to this peaceful land. I sat on a stone by the stream, closed my eyes, and listened to the sound of the flowing water and the singing of birds, feeling a sense of peace. As the sun sets, Hujiashang is bathed in a golden afterglow. I left this beautiful place with a heavy heart. Hujiashang, like a paradise, makes people intoxicated and reluctant to leave. I believe that no matter how time passes, the tranquility and beauty here will remain deep in my memory.

"The number one ancient castle of the Ming Dynasty in northern China" - Xiangyu Ancient Castle, how is it so impressive? 📍Xiangyu Ancient Castle 📝Attraction: Originally named Xianggu, Xiangyu Ancient Castle is known as the ancient city of Sandu 🚌: Take bus 208 | Get off at Xiangyu Ancient Castle Station ⏰: All day 🎫Ticket: 65RMB (free entry at night) 🅿Parking fee: 10 yuan, no time limit. Xiangyu Ancient Castle consists of city walls, ancient wells, residential houses, temples, and watchtowers. The city walls are tall and solid, with watchtowers and battlements on top, demonstrating the castle's defensive capabilities. The city walls of Xiangyu Ancient Castle are bonded with a mixture of egg whites and glutinous rice juice, making the seams as thin as paper and as solid as rock. The courtyards and houses within the castle are interconnected through a web-like network of winding and dense alleys. The hidden soldier caves on the south city wall combine the functions of defensive works, barracks, and military supply warehouses into one, with multi-level corridors and interconnected soldier tunnels forming a complex and complete defense system. Xiangyu Ancient Castle, with its strong defensive capabilities, has never been breached from the outside since its construction. The tallest building in the castle, the five-story 'Guardian Tower' (also known as the 'Watchtower'), is the tallest surviving building from the Ming Dynasty in China. Xiangyu Ancient Castle is only 6 kilometers away from the imperial mansions and can be visited together.

It was first built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, funded by the Chen family, a wealthy family in Jin at that time. After several expansions, it has formed the scale we see today. Xiangyu Castle is not only a defensive project, but also the residence of the Chen family, showing the grandeur of Ming Dynasty folk architecture. 🌈Transportation 50 kilometers from Jincheng city, navigate to Xiangyu Village, Zhengcun Town, Qinshui County. Or you can take the bus to Jincheng Passenger Transport East Station, the fare is 1 yuan 🌈Tickets The ticket for Xiangyu Castle 🎫 is 65 per person, 🅿️ the fee is 10 yuan without time limit. The overall flow of people is not large, and most of them are Jincheng locals. 🌈Attractions Xiangyu Castle is the former residence of the three brothers of the Sun family in the late Ming Dynasty, who also served as officials in the same dynasty. Construction began during the Tianqi period and was completed during the Chongzhen period, taking 11 years. The existing buildings are from the Ming, Qing and Republic of China periods. The castle is backed by a mountain, and the north wall has just been built and looks very new. There are gates on the east, south and west sides, making it a honeycomb-style defensive castle. The castle faces the Qinshui River to the south, which adds a lot of color to the castle. After entering the south gate, there are various fortifications, soldier caves, etc. Then you can go west along the city wall to the highest point to overlook the entire castle. The walk around the city wall was quiet as there weren’t many tourists. Walking in the alleys of the city, you can see some houses with signs of being occupied. Sure enough, after talking to an old man, I learned that there are still more than ten houses in the entire castle occupied by villagers. 🌈Comments The castle is backed by a mountain and has a stream in front of it. The environment is very quiet and it is known as "the first ancient castle in the Ming Dynasty in northern China." There are also some small memorial halls in the ancient castle, where you can learn about Qin County’s local imperial examination history, the history of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, etc. 🌈Dining There is not much commercialization in the castle, only one small stall was seen. If you need to eat, there are a number of snack stands behind the square outside the castle.

The traffic at the Imperial City Mansion deterred us. There are many ancient castles and villages in the Qin River basin of Jincheng. Considering the distance, we gave up on the more niche Chiji City and turned to the closer Xiangyu Ancient Castle. 🚗Transportation Coming out of Haihui Temple, we went straight onto the highway. It took about 10 minutes to get off the highway and then a stretch of county road to reach Xiangyu Ancient Castle. The parking lot 🅿️ is about a 10-minute walk from the entrance of the scenic area. 🛂Tickets The ticket for Xiangyu Ancient Castle 🎫 is 65 per person, and the 🅿️ fee is 10 yuan with no time limit. The overall flow of people is not large, with mostly locals from Jincheng. ⭐Attractions 1⃣️Xiangyu Ancient Castle was the late Ming Dynasty residence of the three Sun brothers, who also served as officials in the same dynasty. Construction began during the Tianqi era and was completed in the Chongzhen era, taking 11 years. The existing buildings are from the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods. 2⃣️The castle backs onto a mountain, and the north wall has been recently repaired, looking very new. There are city gates on the east, south, and west sides, forming a honeycomb-style defensive castle. The south side of the castle faces the Qinshui River, which seems to add a lot to the castle. 3⃣️After entering the south gate, there are various defensive works, hidden soldier caves, etc., and then you can walk along the city wall to the highest point to overlook the entire ancient castle. Because there are not too many tourists, it is very quiet all the way around the city wall. Walking in the alleys inside the castle, you can still see some residential houses with signs of habitation. Indeed, after talking with an elderly man, it is known that there are still about a dozen households living in the ancient castle. ⭐Review The castle is backed by mountains and has a stream in front, with a very tranquil environment, known as "China's Northern Ming Dynasty's Number One Ancient Castle." There are also some small museums in the castle where you can learn about the local imperial examination history, the history of the war of resistance, etc. ⭐Dining There is not much commercialization inside the castle, only saw a small stall. If you need to dine, there are a bunch of snack stalls behind the square outside the castle. Talking with the locals, it is known that because of the presence of the Imperial City Mansion, the flow of visitors to other castles is not large, but the standard is not much different.

It takes more than an hour to drive from Zhengzhou The "Three Capitals Ancient City" of Qinshui, Shanxi, is located in Xiangyu Village, Zhengcun Town, southeast of Qinshui County. It is at the junction of Qinshui, Yangcheng and Zezhou counties. It borders Zezhou County to the east, Yangcheng Imperial City Prime Minister's Mansion to the south, and Zhao Shuli's former residence to the west. "Sandu Ancient City" is a famous private castle in Shanxi Province. It is the hometown of brothers Sun Juxiang, the Minister of Revenue during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, and Sun Dingxiang, the Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. The ancient city was built in the 42nd year of Wanli (1614 AD) and completed in the 7th year of Chongzhen (1634 AD) in the Ming Dynasty. It has a history of more than 400 years. The total length of the castle wall is 760 meters. There are two east-west streets and nine north-south lanes in the city. The overall layout of the streets and lanes is "three horizontal and nine vertical", and the floor plan presents a "chessboard" shape. There will be various buildings such as residential houses, temples, ancestral halls, meeting halls, official residences, academies, and military storage towers. The castle is built on stone walls and steep slopes. From a distance, it is tall and majestic. There is a moat in front of the castle, and a stone bridge is built on the river, which is the main entrance and exit of the castle. This castle is completely different from the traditional Qiao Family Courtyard, Wang Family Courtyard and Liu Wencai Courtyard. This is a real castle with military defense functions. Its solidity is not only difficult for bandits, but also for government troops to break through. Therefore, the castle deserves to be the world's first private castle.

💥 Xiangyu Ancient Castle is a real old architectural complex, built in the Ming Dynasty. There are few tourists, it's such a treasure! 👍 📍Xiangyu Ancient Castle is located in Xiangyu Village, Zhengcun Town, 50 kilometers southeast of Qinshui County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. Originally named Xianggu, it was renamed due to being surrounded by mountains and rivers. 🎈Xiangyu Ancient Castle 🛕Xiangyu City is a honeycomb-style castle, with brick, stone and wood structure, 280 meters long from east to west, 100 to 150 meters wide from north to south, covering an area of about 32,500 square meters. It was built by brothers Sun Juxiang and Sun Dingxiang in the third year of Ming Tianqi and completed in the seventh year of Ming Chongzhen. Sun Dingxiang ranked third and once served as the Deputy Imperial Envoy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. His mansion was named 'Sandu Hall', and Xiangyu Ancient City was also known as 'Sandu Ancient City'. 😀

Xiangyu Ancient Castle, also known as the Ancient City of Three Capitals, is located in Xiangyu Village, Zhengcun Town, Qinshui County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. It is named after Sun Juxiang (a scholar in the 20th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty) and Sun Dingxiang (a scholar in the 12th year of Chongzhen), who were from the same village. It is a castle-style building that combines military defense, residential living, and cultural entertainment. It is known as the 'First Ancient Castle of the Ming Dynasty in Northern China's Countryside'. The Xiangyu Ancient Castle was built in the seventh year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1634) and covers an area of 32,500 square meters. The construction of Xiangyu Ancient Castle was presided over by Sun Dingxiang and took four generations to complete. The ancient castle is built according to the terrain, divided into the inner city and the outer city. The inner city is made of brick and soil, and the outer city is made of brick and stone. The existing main buildings of Xiangyu Ancient Castle include the Three Capitals Hall, the Marshal's Mansion, the Ten Major Houses, and various residential buildings such as the large and small male courtyards, as well as public facilities such as temples, ancestral halls, and private schools. The architectural style of Xiangyu Ancient Castle is unique, with high and sturdy city walls, crisscrossing streets in the city, and well-arranged buildings. It is an outstanding representative of the ancient castles of the Ming Dynasty in northern China. Xiangyu Ancient Castle was announced as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council on May 25, 2006.

|||How come the "First Ancient Castle of the Ming Dynasty in Northern China", Xiangyu Ancient Castle, is so awesome? Self-driving tour around China: Qingshui County, Shanxi Province In Jincheng, Shanxi, where cultural relics and historic sites are everywhere, the castle that annoys and angers the invading enemies the most, but can only sigh outside the city, is none other than Xiangyu Ancient Castle. Xiangyu, originally named Xianggu, was considered by people at the time to be detrimental to Feng Shui because it "has a valley but no mountains and water", and because it is surrounded by mountains and water, Xianggu was changed to Xiangyu. It is said that at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the peasant rebel army crossed the Yellow River from Shaanxi into Shanxi, passing through all the barriers and killing all the generals without meeting an opponent, until they encountered Xiangyu Ancient Castle. Li Zicheng personally led the army to attack Xiangyu Ancient Castle, and after a fierce attack for seven days and nights, he failed to conquer it. The defeated Li Chuangwang had to retreat with regret and regret, which shows the impregnability of Xiangyu Ancient Castle. Xiangyu Ancient Castle is truly the "First Ancient Castle of the Ming Dynasty in Northern China". At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the politics was corrupt, the society was dark, the people were not living, and the situation was unstable. The Sun brothers, Sun Juxiang, Sun Kexiang, and Sun Dingxiang, who held high positions in the court, were also disheartened. Perhaps they sensed that the Ming court was about to collapse. In order to protect the safety of their family's lives and property, they spent ten years building this brick, stone and earth structure honeycomb-style castle. The city wall of Xiangyu Ancient Castle is bonded with egg white and glutinous rice juice, the wall seam is like paper, and it is as solid as a rock. The houses in each courtyard of the castle communicate with each other through a web-like complex and dense alley. The soldier hiding cave on the south city wall integrates the functions of defense works, barracks, and military warehouses. It is composed of multi-layer corridor-style and serial-style soldier roads, forming a complex and complete defense system. This kind of building with soldier caves connected to the city is called the pinnacle of folk military engineering by experts. With its strong defensive ability, Xiangyu Ancient Castle has never been breached from the outside since the day it was built. The highest building in the castle, the five-story "Home Watching Tower" (also called "Lookout Tower") is the tallest building in the Ming Dynasty that has survived to this day. Walking on the road on the south bank of the moat, you can see that Xiangyu Ancient Castle is backed by mountains and facing water, and the city wall built on the stone wall and steep slope is as high as ten to twenty meters. The extremely tall and majestic city wall is reflected in the water, and the scenery is picturesque. Because the ten mountain ranges on the opposite side of Fan Mountain all point to Xiangyu, there is a saying in the local area that "ten mountains and nine turns, generations of princes". However, times have changed, and the golden age of Xiangyu Ancient Castle has become the past. Today's Xiangyu Ancient City, due to inconvenient external transportation, does not attract many visitors from afar on weekdays. The only national road to Xiangyu Ancient Castle after getting off the highway, the Duanrun line, charges 10 yuan for only a dozen kilometers, which is even more ruthless than the highway toll, just like robbery. When I arrived at Xiangyu Ancient Castle, there were only a few tourists in such a large castle. If this were in the eastern provinces, it would have been crowded with tourists and bustling. How could it be so deserted. It is said that there are still more than ten households living in the city, and it is difficult for us today to imagine how prosperous it was during its heyday. The ancient cities of Xiangyu, Huangcheng Xiangfu, Diji City, Guoyu Ancient City, etc. in the Qingshui River Basin of Jincheng City, Shanxi Province, such a dense and spectacular group of well-preserved ancient buildings, you must go and see if you have time!

Scattered in the unique oriental charm of the Ming and Qing ancient castles in the Qin River system, after hundreds of years of vicissitudes, through glory and decline, they are once again cherished by people, transformed and reborn, shining, and telling the changes of history with the people living in them. Today, let's go together into the Xiangyu Ancient Castle located in Xiangyu Village, Qinshui County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province (near the Imperial City Xiangfu), and see what different scenery there is here. Xiangyu Ancient Castle, originally named Xianggu, was surrounded by mountains and rivers near the village, so the village name evolved into Xiangyu. Xiangyu City is a brick and stone wooden castle, in a honeycomb shape. Because the city was built by the brothers Sun Juxiang and Sun Dingxiang, and Sun Dingxiang was the third in the Sun's four brothers and had served as the right deputy imperial envoy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, his mansion was named "Sandu Hall", and Xiangyu Ancient City was also called "Sandu Ancient City". Not only that, but it is also worth mentioning that Shanxi Jincheng Xiangyu Ancient Castle is also known as the first ancient castle in northern China. It is the pinnacle of Ming Dynasty military, and it still stands majestically today! It is said that Li Zicheng led more than 10,000 soldiers and attacked for a whole week, but did not conquer it.

Most of China's ancient buildings are in Shanxi, and most of Shanxi's ancient buildings are in Shangdang, among which Jincheng is particularly prominent. The unique geographical environment, superior climate conditions, and suitable cultural atmosphere have enabled a large number of ancient buildings to survive. There are nearly 20,000 ancient buildings in Jincheng, 46 of which are wooden structures from the Song and Jin periods about a thousand years ago, accounting for one-third of the total in the country. It is a veritable museum of ancient architecture! Below I share with you the travel guide to Jincheng~ D1: Jincheng City Area → Jue Mountain → Qinglian Temple → Jade Emperor Temple → Stay in Jincheng D2: Jincheng City Area → Huangcheng Xiangfu → Xiangyu Ancient Castle . ★Stay, the most convenient or convenient transportation location near the scenic area. ★Eat, Shanxi, a large province of carbohydrates, a variety of pasta is countless. Clear soup Hele is a kind of pasta with the most characteristic of Jincheng. Yangcheng roast liver, Yangcheng meat jar meat, Ba Gong roast garlic, Codonopsis stewed chicken and other delicacies can be seen everywhere. . ★Travel, it takes about an hour and a half from Taiyuan to Jincheng by high-speed rail, which is very convenient. ★Huangcheng Xiangfu, the teacher of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, the chief reviewer of the 'Kangxi Dictionary', and the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, the Grand Duke of Guanglu, Chen Tingjing, is the owner of this ancient castle. This is a huge ancient castle building complex with a total area of 36,000 square meters. The building complex as a whole integrates official residences, civilian houses, and military defense. There are 16 courtyards and more than 640 rooms, which are deep and winding. . ★Xiangyu Ancient Castle, the former residence of Sun Jufang and Sun Dingxiang, heavy ministers during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The date of construction is unknown, and it was completed in the seventh year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty in 1634. The ancient castle is not far from Huangcheng Xiangfu. There is a labyrinth-like soldier hiding cave in the ancient castle, which is known as the pinnacle of folk military engineering. . ★Jue Mountain, 'the first wonder of Jinwei River and Mountain', has the reputation of 'Little Huashan' and 'Little Wudang'. 'Jue Mountain Spits Moon' is one of the four famous sights in Jincheng. The main peak is 973 meters above sea level, and there are 360 stone steps in the Second Heaven Gate. . ★Qinglian Temple, originally named 'Xieshi Temple', is named after its terrain, located in the middle of the mountain cliffs. The temple is divided into two parts, the ancient Qinglian Temple and the new Qinglian Temple, the former is below and the latter is above. Because the Sakyamuni in the temple sits on the lotus seat, it is named Qinglian Temple, the third batch of national protection. . ★Jincheng Jade Emperor Temple, the best preserved and most complete Jade Emperor Temple in Jincheng area, the third batch of national protection. Not only is it known as the 'Astronomical Museum' of ancient times, but it also has many innovations and inspirations in the creation of colored sculpture art. The 260 or so Taoist gods and clay sculptures in it form a system on their own, artistically showing the system of Chinese Taoist gods. Especially the clay sculptures of the Twenty-Eight Mansions are unique in the ancient sculpture relics discovered in the country. . ★Some documentaries about Jincheng China in the Intangible Cultural Heritage 230603 (Shanxi) Between the Mountains and Rivers (Shanxi Travel Variety Show Guest Meng Man) Meet You in Shanxi Aerial Photography China Season 3 Shanxi Sanjin Flavor Shanxi Pasta Documentary Eight Hundred Miles Taihang This is Jincheng National Treasure Shanxi

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