Huangcheng Xiangfu is located in Huangcheng Village, Beiliu Town, Yangcheng County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and one of the best-preserved clusters of official and gentry buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties in northern China. Centered on the former residence of Chen Tingjing, a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and the chief editor of the "Kangxi Dictionary" during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the scenic area combines the characteristics of official residences and civilian houses, integrating the grandeur of northern architecture with the exquisiteness of southern gardens. The total area of the building complex is 36,000 square meters, consisting of the inner city, outer city, Ziyunqian, and other parts. There are 16 courtyards, 640 houses, and the city wall is over 780 meters long with a height of about 12 meters, equipped with crenels, watchtowers, and other defensive facilities. It not only shows the majesty of an official mansion but also has the defensive functions of an ancient castle, known as "the first cultural mansion of a prominent clan in northern China."
Historical Culture
The construction of Huangcheng Xiangfu began in the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1632). Initially, it was the "Douzhu Ju" (inner city) built by Chen Changyan, the uncle of Chen Tingjing, mainly used to resist wars and chaos. During the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, Chen Tingjing held the high position of Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, enjoying prominent status and flourishing family power. He then expanded the outer city on the original basis, forming the current scale. The entire construction process lasted nearly a hundred years.
As a teacher and close minister of Emperor Kangxi, Chen Tingjing, during his residence here, not only presided over the compilation of the "Kangxi Dictionary" but also promoted the prosperity of his family's culture. This made the Chen family a famous cultural prominent clan in Shanxi during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Successively, there emerged 41 tribute students, 19 juren (successful candidates in the provincial imperial examination), 9 jinshi (successful candidates in the national imperial examination), among whom 6 entered the Hanlin Academy. It is praised as "Nine jinshi from one family with accumulated virtues, six Hanlin scholars from three generations enjoying imperial favor."
The scenic area preserves a large number of cultural relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as plaques, couplets, and stone inscriptions, which truly record the rise and fall of the Chen family and the social customs of that time. In 1998, Huangcheng Xiangfu began to be restored and developed. In 2007, it was rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction. In 2018, it was selected into the "50 Scenes of the Yellow River in China," becoming an important window to display the official culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the family culture of Jin merchants.
Main Attractions
Inner City (Douzhu Ju)
The inner city, also known as "Douzhu Ju," is the early building of Huangcheng Xiangfu, built in the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1632), covering an area of about 11,000 square meters. The city wall is 12 meters high and 2.5 meters wide, with three city gates in the east, west, and south. Above the south gate, there is a plaque inscribed with "Douzhu Ke Ju" (Douzhu is livable), written by Chen Changyan. Inside the inner city, there are ancestral courtyards of the Chen family, including the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shide Courtyard, Shude Courtyard, etc. Most of the houses are of brick and wood structure, with blue bricks and gray tiles, and carved beams and painted rafters. Among them, Shide Courtyard is the birthplace of Chen Tingjing. The room where he studied in his early years is preserved in the courtyard, with simple furnishings, showing the scenes of his youth. The inner city has complete defensive facilities, with watchtowers at the four corners of the city wall for observation and defense, reflecting the architectural defense wisdom in the context of frequent wars during the transition from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty.
Outer City (Zhongdao Zhuang)
The outer city was built in the 42nd year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1703). It is an expansion when Chen Tingjing was in a high official position, covering an area of about 25,000 square meters, with an overall layout in the shape of the Chinese character "fu" (blessing). The main gate of the outer city is "Zhongdao Zhuang," and above the lintel hangs the plaque "Da Xue Shi Di" (Residence of the Grand Secretary), highlighting Chen Tingjing's official rank. The main buildings include Zongzai Di, Da Xue Shi Di, Miss Courtyard, Steward Courtyard, etc. Among them, Zongzai Di is Chen Tingjing's mansion. "Zongzai" means Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. The plaque "Dian Han Tang" in the courtyard was personally inscribed by Emperor Kangxi. The hall displays cultural relics such as official uniforms and ceremonial utensils of the Qing Dynasty. The architectural style of the outer city is more magnificent, decorated with a large number of wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings, with themes mostly being auspicious patterns and historical allusions, exquisite in craftsmanship, reflecting the luxury and solemnity of official mansions in the Qing Dynasty.
He Shan Lou (River and Mountain Tower)
He Shan Lou is the landmark building of Huangcheng Xiangfu, built in the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty (1632) for the Chen family to resist bandits. It is 23.3 meters high with seven floors, and is one of the tallest existing ancient defensive pavilions in northern China. The tower is of brick and stone structure, with a wall thickness of 1.3 meters. There is a staircase inside leading to each floor. The first floor has living facilities such as a well and a stone mill, which can store grain and accommodate up to more than 1,000 people for refuge; the second to sixth floors have arrow windows and observation ports; the seventh floor is a bright viewing platform, from which you can overlook the entire building complex and the surrounding mountains and rivers. He Shan Lou has survived hundreds of years of wind and rain and is well-preserved, being an important material object for studying folk defensive architecture of the Ming Dynasty.
Yu Shu Lou (Imperial Calligraphy Tower)
Yu Shu Lou is located inside the main gate of the outer city, a two-story pavilion specially built to enshrine the plaques granted by Emperor Kangxi. It is 15 meters high, with three bays in width, a gable and hip roof covered with glazed tiles, looking solemn and elegant. The tower houses precious plaques and couplets granted by Emperor Kangxi, such as "Wu Ting Shan Cun" and "Spring returns to the tall trees with lush shade; autumn comes to the chrysanthemums with noble integrity in their old age." These imperial calligraphy works are evidence of Chen Tingjing's deep favor from the emperor and important cultural relics in the scenic area. Every year on the 18th day of the third lunar month (Chen Tingjing's birthday), a sacrificial ceremony is held here in the scenic area, recreating the cultural interaction between the ancient royal family and scholar-officials.
Xiao Jie Yuan (Miss Courtyard)
Xiao Jie Yuan is located in the northeast of the outer city, where the female members of the Chen family lived. It covers an area of about 800 square meters, consisting of two courtyards connected by a corridor. The courtyard has an exquisite layout, with embroidery buildings, gardens, piano rooms, etc. The architectural decorations are mainly themed with flowers and birds, qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, reflecting the life interest of ancient noble ladies. There is also a "Shuang Jing Yuan" (Double Well Courtyard) in the courtyard. The distance between the two wells is less than 3 meters, one with sweet water and the other with bitter water, implying "sharing joys and sorrows," reflecting the Chen family's educational concept on women's moral cultivation.
Zi Yun Qian
Zi Yun Qian is the cemetery of the Chen family, located on the hillside west of Huangcheng Xiangfu, covering an area of about 15,000 square meters, mainly burying Chen Tingjing and his family members. At the entrance of the cemetery, there is a stone archway engraved with words such as "Sheng Zhi" (Imperial Decree) and "Huang En Chong Ci" (Favored by Imperial Grace). On both sides stand stone figures, stone horses, stone sheep, and other stone animals, highlighting the noble status of the family. In front of Chen Tingjing's tomb, there is an epitaph stele written by Emperor Kangxi himself, detailing his life achievements. Zi Yun Qian is surrounded by pine and cypress trees, with a quiet environment, being an important example for studying the burial system of the nobility in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Cuisine
Gao Ping Shao Dou Fu (Gaoping Braised Tofu)
Gao Ping Shao Dou Fu is a specialty snack in Gaoping area of Jincheng, and also a common delicacy around Huangcheng Xiangfu. It is made by selecting local hard tofu, cutting it into cubes, blanching in boiling water, then frying in hot oil until golden. After being taken out, it is stir-fried with sauce made of green onions, ginger, chili, Sichuan pepper, broad bean paste, etc. It tastes crispy outside and tender inside, salty, fragrant, and slightly spicy. In restaurants around the scenic area, a serving of Gao Ping Shao Dou Fu costs about 15-25 yuan. It is a common dish at local banquets, said to be related to the Battle of Changping during the Warring States period, with a long history.
Jin Cheng Chao Liang Fen (Jincheng Stir-Fried Cold Noodles)
Jin Cheng Chao Liang Fen is a traditional snack in Jincheng area, made from local mung bean cold noodles. Cut into small pieces, stir-fried with garlic sprouts, chili, Sichuan pepper, etc. in an iron pot, and seasoned with vinegar before serving. It tastes soft, glutinous, smooth, sour, spicy, and appetizing. It is sold in the snack street in the scenic area and surrounding restaurants, with a serving price of about 8-12 yuan, being a good choice for tourists to experience the local market flavor.
You Hu Jiao (Fried Pastry Dumplings)
You Hu Jiao is a traditional pasta snack in Jincheng, similar in shape to dumplings. It uses hot water dough as the wrapper, filled with chives, eggs, vermicelli, etc., pinched into a half-moon shape, and fried in hot oil until golden and crispy. Its outer skin is crispy, and the filling is fresh and fragrant, which can be eaten directly or dipped in vinegar. At the snack stalls in Huangcheng Xiangfu scenic area, a serving of You Hu Jiao (about 10 pieces) costs about 10-15 yuan, being a favorite breakfast and snack of local people.
Surrounding Cuisine - Yangcheng Rou Guan Rou (Yangcheng Meat in Pot)
Yangcheng County is the location of Huangcheng Xiangfu. Rou Guan Rou is a local traditional famous dish with a history of hundreds of years. It is made with pork as the main ingredient, cut into cubes, marinated with soy sauce, cooking wine, etc., then put into a special earthen pot, added with spices such as Sichuan pepper, star anise, cinnamon, and simmered over low heat for several hours until the meat is tender and the bones are crisp, and the soup is thick. Rou Guan Rou is bright red in color, fat but not greasy, with a strong aroma. In restaurants in Yangcheng County, a serving of Rou Guan Rou costs about 30-50 yuan, being a specialty dish for local banquets.
Tickets
Ticket price: 150 yuan per person (including shuttle bus).
You can search for the official WeChat public account "皇城相府生态文化旅游区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are adjusted according to the season: from April 1 to October 31 is the peak season, with opening hours from 8:00 to 18:00 (admission stops at 17:30); from November 1 to March 31 of the next year is the off-season, with opening hours from 8:30 to 17:00 (admission stops at 16:30). The live-action performance "Kangxi Dynasty" in the scenic area (reproducing the scene of Emperor Kangxi staying at Huangcheng Xiangfu) is staged twice a day at 10:00 and 15:00 in the peak season (April-October), and there is no performance in the off-season. The specific performance time is subject to the announcement of the scenic area on that day.
Tour Route
After entering the scenic area, it is recommended to enter from the main gate of the outer city "Zhongdao Zhuang" and first visit Yu Shu Lou (about 20 minutes) to appreciate the plaques granted by Emperor Kangxi and understand the relationship between Chen Tingjing and Kangxi. Then go to Zongzai Di and Da Xue Shi Di in the outer city (about 1 hour) to visit the layout and decoration of the official mansion and feel the official residence culture of the Qing Dynasty.
Then enter the inner city (Douzhu Ju) and visit Shide Courtyard, Shude Courtyard, and Chen Clan Ancestral Hall in turn (about 1 hour) to learn about the historical origin of the Chen family. After that, focus on visiting He Shan Lou (about 40 minutes), climb the tower to overlook the whole scenic area and experience the function of ancient defensive architecture.
After coming down from He Shan Lou, go to Xiao Jie Yuan (about 30 minutes) to feel the living environment of ancient women. If time permits, you can go to Ziyunqian (about 1 hour) to visit the Chen family cemetery and understand the burial system of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Finally, watch the live-action performance "Kangxi Dynasty" (if available). It is recommended to arrange 3-4 hours for the whole tour.
Transportation
- Bus: There are direct tourist buses from Jincheng East Passenger Station to Huangcheng Xiangfu, departing every 30 minutes from 7:30 to 18:00 daily. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, with a fare of 15 yuan per person. Yangcheng County Passenger Station also has buses to Huangcheng Village, which take approximately 40 minutes and cost 5 yuan per person. After getting off, it's a 5-minute walk to the scenic area entrance.
- Self-driving: The scenic area has a parking lot with an area of about 12,000 square meters, which can accommodate 800 small cars, with a parking fee of 10 yuan per time (unlimited time). Starting from Jincheng urban area, drive north along Jinyang Expressway (S86) for about 50 kilometers, get off at Beiliu Exit, and drive 5 kilometers according to the road signs; starting from Taiyuan, drive south along Erguang Expressway (G55) to Jincheng, then transfer to Jinyang Expressway (S86) to Beiliu Exit, with a total distance of about 300 kilometers.
- Tourist special line: Tourism distribution centers in cities such as Taiyuan, Zhengzhou, and Luoyang have direct tourist special line to Huangcheng Xiangfu, with journey times of 4 hours, 3 hours, and 2.5 hours respectively. You can consult local tourism agencies for round-trip fares and itineraries.
- High-speed rail + bus: Take the high-speed rail to Jincheng East Station, then transfer to the above-mentioned tourist bus to the scenic area directly. The high-speed rail from Taiyuan to Jincheng East Station takes about 1.5 hours, and from Zhengzhou to Jincheng East Station takes about 1 hour.
Must-visit Attractions
- He Shan Lou: 23.3 meters high with 7 floors, the tallest ancient defensive pavilion in northern China. You can climb the tower for viewing and understand the ancient defensive functions, being the landmark building of the scenic area.
- Outer City (Zhongdao Zhuang): Including core buildings such as Zongzai Di and Da Xue Shi Di, with plaques granted by Emperor Kangxi and exquisite carvings, showing the luxury and solemnity of official mansions in the Qing Dynasty, covering an area of 25,000 square meters.
- Inner City (Douzhu Ju): The early residence of the Chen family, retaining the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty, with Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Shide Courtyard, etc., recording the origin and development of the Chen family, covering an area of 11,000 square meters.
Tour Suggestions
- It is recommended to hire a scenic spot guide (cost within 100 yuan for 5 people or less). The guide can introduce in detail the historical stories and cultural connotations behind the buildings, avoiding the boredom of simply looking at the buildings. The guiding time is about 2 hours.
- There are many tourists in the peak season (May-October). It is recommended to enter the park before 8:30 a.m. or after 15:00 p.m. to avoid the peak hours from 9:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. for a better experience.
- The scenic area has many stone slab roads with ups and downs. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and avoid high-heeled shoes.
- The live-action performance "Kangxi Dynasty" is a feature of the scenic area. It is recommended to check the performance time in advance and arrange the itinerary reasonably. The performance lasts about 40 minutes and no additional tickets are required.
- There are many shops selling local specialties in and around the scenic area, such as Huangcheng Xiangfu wine and Yangcheng mulberry juice. You can buy them in appropriate quantities. The prices are transparent and there is no forced consumption.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. You must abide by public health regulations and take good care of cultural relics and architectural facilities.
- Touching or carving on wood carvings, stone carvings and other decorations on ancient buildings is prohibited. The scenic area is equipped with monitoring, and those who violate the regulations will be fined.
- Pay attention to the steps under your feet when visiting. Some areas are relatively dark, especially the old courtyards in the inner city. Walk carefully to prevent falling.
- The temperature in the scenic area is relatively high in summer. It is recommended to bring a sunshade and sunscreen; it is cold in winter, and some roads may be icy. Pay attention to keeping warm and anti-skid.
- Take good care of your personal belongings. There are many tourists in the scenic area, especially in the performance venues and popular attractions. Be careful to prevent theft.
- Some of the residential buildings in the scenic area are still inhabited by residents. When visiting, respect the lives of local residents and do not enter unopened private areas at will.