Archive for the ‘Jiexiu Travel’ Category

How to Visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle (Tips, Photos & Map)

Friday, December 24th, 2021
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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.

Pingyao-Wang Family (王家大院) -Zhangbi-Pingyao Road Map ( 126 km loop)

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.

Ancient Castle Restaurant by Zhangbi Village
Ancient Castle Restaurant by Zhangbi Village

This restaurant makes a very delicious noodles known as “Baopi Noodle” ,  mixed flour with wheat and sorghum.

This restaurant makes a very delicious noodles known as Baopi Noodle ,  mixed flour with wheat and sorghum.
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.

The south gate to the ancient caste in Zhangbi Village

Walking through the arch gate brings you back in time!

Walking through the arch gate brings you back in time!

Ascending the stone steps inside the south gate takes you to the Khan Temple.

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.

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.

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 entrance to the 1500-meter restored tunnels is inside the temple.

The three layers of tunnels look like a labyrinth.

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.

The 300 meters long cobble stoned street is the main street in Zhangbi Castle

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.

All the courtyard houses along the main street have high and thick walls

Zhangbi Ancient Castle is still  inhabited by over 400 villagers. They go on with their lives unaffected by visitors.

Zhangbi Village is still inhabited by over 400 villagers

Behind the hugged trees on the high platform is the Buddhist Temple known as Xinglong Temple.

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.

At the northern end of the north-south street is the Zhenwu Temple

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.

An old section of the wall of the castle like village.

The courtyard with cave house style buildings.

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

Shanxi Tour

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.

Datong Xian High Speed Train

Tuesday, March 9th, 2021
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Datong Pingyao Xian Trip

Datong, Pingyao and Xian are three important tourist destinations in China. Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple in Datong, Pingyao Ancient City and Terracotta Warriors in Xian are big draws attracting numerous oversea tourists every year.

If you want to plan your Datong, Pingyao and Xian trip, you are often daunted by the travel time wasted on this itinerary due to the inconvenient 859km transportation – over 16 hours by train and 8 hours by road. Many time-strapped travelers have to skip Datong or Pingyao.

Now with the completion of Xian Datong high speed train line, you are able to visit Pingyao by high speed train directly from Beijing, Taiyuan and extended to Xian, putting Beijing, Pingyao and Xian on a high speed passenger dedicated railway line, fast and comfortable.

Datong Xian Dedicated Highspeed Railway Line

This dedicated railway line is a dual-track, electrified, high-speed rail line. It runs 859 km through Shanxi and Shaanxi Province. The high speed trains will travel at speeds up to 250 km/hr (design speed is 350km/hr). The Travel time between Datong and Xian will be reduced from 16 hours to about 3 hours.

The Train Stations along Datong Xian High Speed Train Line

Datong Xian Highspeed Trains will run along the length of Shanxi Province starting from Datong in the north through Shuozhou, Xinzhou, Taiyuan, Jinzhong (Pingyao), Linfen and Yuncheng. The it will enter Shaanxi by crossing the Yellow River at Yongji and get to Xian, totalling the 859km length.

There are totally 29 train stations – 18 new stations and 11 renovated stations. Below is the list of the 29 railway stations along Datong Xian Highspeed trains from north to south.

■ Datong Railway Station (大同站)
A first class train station in China, an essential transportation hub linking Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia.

■Huairen East Train Station (怀仁东站)
Two platforms, 6 tracks

■Yingxian Railway Station(应县站)
Two platforms with 4 tracks

■Shanyin East Train Station (山阴东站)
Two platforms, 6 tracks

■Daixian West Railwat Station (代县西站)
Two platforms with 4 tracks

■Yuanping West Railway Station (原平西站)
A new station with 2 platforms and 6 tracks

■Xinzhou West Station (忻州西站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 5 tracks

■Yangqu West Railway Station (阳曲西站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Taiyuan East Station (太原东站)
Also a Shitai railway line, a connected line

■Taiyuan Railway Station (太原站)
A starting and arriving station for Shitai Railway, 4 platforms with 10 tracks.

■Taiyuan South Railway Station (太原南站)
Still under construction, 10 platforms, 22 tracks, the convergency of Datong Xian High speed line.

■Jinzhou Railway Station (晋中站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Taigu West Train Station (太谷西站)
A new station, 2 platforms with 4 tracks

■Qixian East Railway Station (祁县东站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Pingyao East Railway Station(平遥古城站)
Located Houji Village in Pingyao County, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Jiexu East Railway Station (介休东站)
Located in Sanjia Township of Jiexu City, a new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Lingshi East Railway Station (灵石东站)
Located in Zhanghao Village of Mahe Township at Lingshi County, a new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Huozhou East Railway Station (霍州东站)
Located at Lizaozhen Village, Huozhou, a new station, 2 platforms, 4tracks

■Hongtong West Railway Station (洪洞西站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Linfen West Train Station (临汾西站)
Located in Zhoujiazhuang, Liucun Township, Raodu District of Linfen, a new station, 2 platforms, 5 tracks

■Xiangfen West Railway Station (襄汾西站)
Located at Liu Village, Nanjia Township,Xuangfen County, a new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Houma West Railway Station 侯马西站
A new station, 2 platforms,4 tracks

■Wenxi West Railway Station (闻喜西站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Yuncheng North Railway Station (运城北站)
A new departing and arriving station, 4 platforms, 8 tracks

■Yongji North Railway Station (永济北站)
A new station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks including 2 formal tracks

■Dali Railway Station (大荔站)
A new railway station, 2 platforms, 4 tracks

■Weinan North Railway Station(渭南北站)
Also a train station for Xian – Zhengzhou Highspeed trains, 2 platforms, 4 tracks郑西客专车站,中间站,既有规模为2站台4股道,其

■New Lintong Railway Station (新临潼站)
Also a station for Xian – Zhengzhou trains

■Xian North Railway Station (西安北站)
Also a railway station for Xian Zhengzhou Highspeed Railway, 18 platforms, 34 tracks

Datong Xian High Speed Train Timetable
Datong Xian High Speed Trains will be partially open to the public from June ,2014. The opening section will start from Taiyuan to Xian. A for the northern part of Datong Xian High Speed Railway will be completed in the year 2015.

The timetable for the high speed trains from Taiyuan to Xian is still unkown. We will closely follow up the latest development regarding the new high speed railway line.

Attractions along Datong Xian High Speed Railway Line
Datong Xian High Speed Dedicated Passenger Railway Links Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces which are teemed with historical sites and scenic areas.

■ Datong:
Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple

■ Yingxian:
Yingxiang Wooden Pagoda

■ Taiyuan:
Jinci Temple, Shuangta Temple

■ Jinzhong:
Chang Family Mansion

■ Qixian:
Qiao Family Courtyard

■ Pingyao:
Pingyao Ancient City

■ Jiexu:
Zhangbi Underground Castle

■ Lingshi:
Wang Family Courtyard

■ Yuncheng:
Guangdi Temple

■ Xian:
Terracotta Warriors

Tip:  Hassle-free Datong and 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 Datong and Shanxi Province:

Datong Tour
Datong Great Wall Tour
Datong Car Rental with Driver
Beijing Datong Tour
Xian Datong Tour

Pingyao Tour
Taiyuan Tour
Shanxi Tour

Further Readings


Best Time to Visit Datong
Top 10 Attractions in Datong
How to visit Datong in one Day
Where to stay in Datong
How to Get to Datong from Beijing
Datong Xian High Speed Train
Tourist Traps & Scams in Datong
Datong Taxi

Datong Yungang Grottoes
Hanging Monastery in Datong
Yingxian Wooden Tower
Datong Ancient City Wall
Nine-dragon Wall in Datong
Datong Huayan Temple
Shanhua Temple in Datong
Datong Drum Tower
Mt. Hengshan in Datong
Mount Wutai (Tips, Photos & Map)

Datong Great Wall
Datong Great Wall at Shoukoubu Fortress
Datong Great Wall at Zhenbianbu Fortress
Datong Great Wall at Zhenchuankou
Datong Great Wall at Deshengbu Fortress

Any questions, just drop a line.