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Plan your Pingyao tour? A side trip to Zhangbi Ancient Castle (张壁古堡) is highly recommended. Unlike the touristy Pingyao ancient city, Zhangbi Ancient Village still remains untouched, residential and unimproved.
You will see a series of military defence network above the ground and the fascinating series of the tunnels underneath. The three layers tunnels with a length of 1500 meters are restored and open to the public. An English speaking tour guide is compulsory in case you are lost.
How to get to Zhangbi Ancient Castle
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is located in Zhangbi Village (Zhangbicun) about 16km to the east of Jiexiu and 43km to the south of the ancient city of Pingyao. People visiting Pingyao often take a side trip to Zhangbi ancient Castle and Wang Family Courtyard.
Zhangbi Village is situated on the northern foot of Mt.Mianshan with its other three sides being surrounded by deep gullies, a place difficult for attack and easy for defence. It is actually a tiny castle with a 1300m long and 10m wide city wall. The 300m long main cobblestoned street connects the south gate and the north. All the courtyard houses along the main street have high walls. If all the doors were closed, intruders would be easily kept off.
Many guesthouses in Pingyao arrange join-in or a private day tours bringing you to this castle-like ancient village. You may also use public transport from Pingyao Bus Station to Jiexiu Bus Station, then from Jiexiu, try to find a local bus running for Zhangbi Village.
The entrance is RMB 75. Basically people need approx. 2-3 hours to visit the ancient castle of Zhangbi.
With high walls and castles above the ground and the three layers of tunnels underneath, Zhangbi Village (Zhangbicun) is often nicknamed as “Zhangbi Ancient Castle” or “Zhangbi Underground Castle.
Zhangbi Village is situated on the northern foot of Mt.Mianshan with its other three sides being surrounded by deep gullies, difficult for attrack and easy for defense. It is actually a tiny castle with a 1300m long and 10m wide city wall. The 300m long main cobblestoned street connects the south gate and the north. All the courtyard houses along the main street have high walls. If all the doors were closed, intruders would be easily kept off.
ABC of Zhangbi Ancient Castle
Zhangbi Village is situated on the northern foot of Mt.Mianshan with its other three sides being surrounded by deep gullies, a place difficult for attack and easy for defence. It is actually a tiny castle with a 1300m long and 10m wide city wall. The 300m long main cobble-stoned street connects the south gate and the north. All the courtyard houses along the main street have high walls. If all the doors were closed, intruders would be easily kept off.
The military part of the village was said to be originally built in the year of 617AD by General Liu Wuzhou ( in late Sui Dynasty), a local king who led his army fighting against Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China).
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is also well known for its religious sites and splendid architectures above the ground, which were said to be over 20 temples and among them still well preserved are Khan Temple, Guandi Temple, Xuanwu Temple,and Kongwang Ancestral Temple.
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is a live showcase for the vernacular dwellings and architectures in Shanxi represented by Kunxing Pavilion and local residential houses.
The most mysterious part of Zhangbi Ancient Castle is its association with Chinese traditional astrology and geomancy. The whole ancient fortress follows the traditional principle five Yin and Yang elements. Over 35 above ground buildings have been found corresponding to the constellations. The name of Zhangbi derived from the 28th constellation – Zhang Xiu and Bi Xiu.
In a word, Zhangbi Ancient Castle is a treasure trove of Chinese culture worth your 2-3 hours’ exploration.
Virtual Tour of Zhangbi Ancient Castle
Now please follow me to have a glimpse of this ancient and mysterious Zhangbi Ancient Castle.
A side trip to Zhangbi often follows your visit to Wang Family Courtyard, and the two sites are only 20km apart. People would dine at the restaurant named Ancient Castle Restaurant by Zhangbi Village for lunch before start their two-hour exploration into the ancient castle in the village.
This restaurant makes a very delicious noodles known as “Baopi Noodle” , mixed flour with wheat and sorghum.
This is the south gate to the ancient village. The south gate is higher than the north gate due to its high terrain. The gate is a solid stones paved tower with a stone archway and glazed tile eaves.
Walking through the arch gate brings you back in time!
Ascending the stone steps inside the south gate takes you to the Khan Temple.
When Khan Temple was originally was still unknown. Khan Temple was dedicated to Liu Wuzhou, a general in late Sui Dynasty.
One high platform in the compound of Khan Temple is the highest viewing point where you can have a bird’s-eye of the village.
The entrance to the 1500-meter restored tunnels is inside the temple.
The three layers of tunnels look like a labyrinth.
The 300 meters long cobble stoned street is the main street in the old castle in Zhangbi village linking the south gate with the north gate.
All the courtyard houses along the main street have high and thick walls. If all the doors were closed, intruders would be easily kept off.
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is still inhabited by over 400 villagers. They go on with their lives unaffected by visitors.
Behind the hugged trees on the high platform is the Buddhist Temple known as Xinglong Temple.
At the northern end of the north-south street is the Zhenwu Temple built in 1808 dedicated to Xuanwu and Wudang Mountain is his seat.
The north gate is a barbican (the double gate system).
Beside the main street, on the east side the main street there are 3 lanes and west side 4 lanes, where you may wander for more interesting finds – vernacular dwellings, temples and more.
An old section of the wall of the castle like village.
The courtyard with cave house style buildings.
Tip: Hassle-free Pingyao & Shanxi Guided Tours
If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for organized tours to Pingyao and Shanxi Province:
Pingyao Tour
Pingyao Car Rental with Driver
Datong Tour
Datong Car Rental with Driver
Taiyuan Tour
Taiyuan Car Rental with Driver
Further Readings
How to Visit Pingyao
Best Time to Visit Pingyao
What to see in Pingyao
Where to Stay in Pingyao
How to get to Pingyao by bus
How to get to Pingyao by train
Beijing Pingyao High Speed Train
Pingyao Taxi
Visit Qiao Family Courtyard
How to Visit Zhenguo Temple
How to Visit Shuanglin Temple
How to Visit Wang Family Compound
How to Visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle
How to Visit Lijiashan Village (Tips, Photos & Map)
How to Visit Qikou Ancient Town (Tips, Photos & Map)
The Best Place to See Sunrise in Pingyao Ancient City
Any questions, just drop a line.
