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Zhangbi Ancient Castle
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Zhangbi Ancient Castle

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See all things to do
Zhangbi Ancient Castle
4
50 reviews
#2 of 10 things to do in Jiexiu
Historic Sites
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8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
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What people are saying
Joel K
By Joel K
“Built 1300 years ago..... Quite a site.... The tunnels”
Oct 2019
This ancient castle was just fascinating. My wife and I were guided through the tunnels by our guide from Pingyao. We learned a lot about life in a Castle 1300 years ago. This was a military compound when first built and then became a place for local folk. There were 10000 meters of tunnels built under the castle. Now 1500 meters are open to the public. The tunnels have wells for water, storage for food, weapons, etc.
LeeYen76
By LeeYen76
“Excellent”
Dec 2019
Is a very beautiful old village. Not many tourist. Is advisable to hire a guide to explain. Is a must go place for me. The underground tunnel are amazing with houses have the door to go into the tunnel. We booked a day tour to Zhangbi castle, Wang's Compound and Shuanglin Temple for only 280 yuan 7 seater car. I like this place more than Wang's Compound.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
50 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
14
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Joel K
Vancouver, Canada3,404 contributions
Built 1300 years ago..... Quite a site.... The tunnels
Oct 2019
This ancient castle was just fascinating. My wife and I were guided through the tunnels by our guide from Pingyao. We learned a lot about life in a Castle 1300 years ago. This was a military compound when first built and then became a place for local folk. There were 10000 meters of tunnels built under the castle. Now 1500 meters are open to the public. The tunnels have wells for water, storage for food, weapons, etc.
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelinMom138
Baltimore, MD38 contributions
Interesting and distinctive side trip from Pingyao!
Aug 2019
We went as a side trip from Pingyao and are very glad we did! The tunnels are very interesting! And above ground, there's a small, historical and traditional village, that is still inhabited in parts. They had an English-speaking guide, and I highly recommend hiring a guide so you know what you're seeing. I enjoyed visiting here as something a bit different from other sites in and around Pingyao. The minute we mentioned underground tunnels to our teenage kids, they were sold. Yes, perhaps some of the other outlying temples and family compounds in the area might be more elaborate and beautiful, but unless you're really, really interested in traditional Chinese architecture, it all kind of starts to look the same at some point.
Written October 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wherrittsat
Chester, UK5 contributions
Missable if you are already staying in Pinyao
Aug 2013 • Couples
Transport: can get here pretty easy by public transport. Take the White bus outside Pinyao train station, first bus 8am, 9RMB to Jiexiu. From the bus station in Jiexiu cross the road and turn left to get to the local bus station on the main road and ask which bus goes to Zhangbi, 4 RMB. This bus will drop you off at the carpark opposite the Zhangbi ticket booth. Getting back is even easier. Wait in the car park where you got off the bus (you may have to wait up to an hour, the buses not that regular). In Jiexiu head to bigger bus staion you got off at, buy ticket to pingyao from here you will be guided to the correct bus 10 RMB.

Cost: entry 60 RMB, ignore the LP and sign at the ticket office; you do not need a guide to avoid geting lost in the tunnels.

The site: made up of old village, free to enter but really only 1 small street not really worth the effort to get here just to visit this site. A few temples and courtyards these are pretty cool but not that different to what you can see in pinyao although this site is quieter than pinyao. The underground castle - really just a few tunnels in 3 levels they all lead into each other if you keep walking, only a few forks in the tunnels it would be pretty hard to get lost in here to be honest.
Written August 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylo102
Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN286 contributions
Tunnels, Tunnels, Tunnels
Mar 2018 • Couples
The Zhangbi Ancient Fortress in our opinion is not a "must see" all on its own, nor visited for the Castle or the Temples, although do that, but seen for the unique Fortress Tunnels. Walk the tunnels, have a phone light or other available, and a light jacket, and enjoy the marvel of it all. Some authentic and some touristy portions. Its all fun and worth the deviation your driver makes from the Wang Family Compound (a short distance away); visit either first or after, we did this after in the mid afternoon in March. Warm outside, cool in the tunnels. Enjoyed by 60+ and 30+ year olds alike. If in the Pingyao area this site is worth part of your time.
Written May 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mario12345
Germany94 contributions
a day trip during a long PingYao weekend
May 2017
In Pingyao every one is eager to drive you to Zhangbi. We went there by car and booked a English tour guide for the tunnel. It would be recommend to have a guide, its not killing you will too may information, but without it would be really boring. Since its not a big place, its recommended to combine the trip with Wangs Family Compound, that is just around the corner. Another alternative to visit is MianShan. But when we were there, the clouds were really low.
Written April 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnnieAndHamish
Melbourne, Australia10,729 contributions
Interesting
Jan 2015 • Couples
Its not a castle but a series of interconnecting tunnels.
The little village of Zhangbi Cun was far more interesting & enjoyable than the tunnels. Take time to wander around this 800 year old village & its buildings.
You can get an English speaking guide when you buy your ticket for an extra cost of Y40.
We organized a car & driver from Pingyao and also included Wang's Family Compound which is nearby.
Written March 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Speis75
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia250 contributions
Underground maze of tunnels
Dec 2014 • Family
We took a daytrip out of Pingyao Ancient City to the Zhangbi Ancient Castle. Beautiful scenery along the road to the castle.We were advised by our driver to hire a guide if we were planning to explore the underground tunnel complex of the castle. It was good advise as it ensured that we did not get lost and also we got to know a wealth of information about the tunnels. It was December and we were practically the only tourists about. According to the guide, who exactly built the castle and the tunnels still remains a mystery today as there were not enough records to trace it back. There is an ancient village once you enter the castle gates and there are temples and shrines about. The most interesting part was of course the tunnels. There are three levels and only about 10% of the tunnel complex is opened to tourists. Nevertheless it was an experience. It was a well thought out maze with booby traps (like in Indiana Jones) to surprise enemies, food lifts, animal shelter, sleep areas for the soldiers, food supply silos in the tunnels. The tunnel route is an easy walk and is lighted so no worries if you have children. A very educational and well worth trip.
Written January 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine M
Glasgow, UK35 contributions
Really enjoyable afternoon
Jun 2014 • Friends
We went via a taxi instead of through a hostel your and found it to be a good experience with a lot of historical interests and a few great views along the way. I would definitely recommend getting a guide as a few of the rooms have information only in Chinese.
Entrance fee was 60RMB and a guide was an additional 40RMB
A must while visiting Pingyao!
Written June 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David W
Beijing, China29 contributions
Fascinating ancient tunnels
Oct 2013 • Couples
Fascinating series of tunnels built in the Sui dynasty, used in battle in the 1940s and still used today by the connected villages. A tour guide (available in English) walks you through the tunnels and the village. I wouldn't bother with public transport, arranging a car through your hotel is by far the best way to get there.
Written October 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flan_1969
Glasgow779 contributions
Amazing tunnels
Sep 2011 • Couples
We arranged a day trip to Wang Family Courtyard, followed by a lunch nearby and then on to Zhangbi Underground Castle through the Harmony Guesthouse in Pingyao. We went with a small group in a comfortable people carrier. Sorry I cannot remember the cost but do recall it being worth it for two of us rather than arrange private transport.
By the time we arrived at Zhangbi Underground Castle the weather was very wet and this undoubtedly put a “dampener” on the tour. We had a tour guide to take us around the town, coming in and out of the historic elements which remain above ground. Then we went down in to the 1400 year old tunnels. These were interesting. I would not say that they are inaccessible buut you would want to have average mobility or it would be awkward.
The entire tour gave a very good impression of the defences and a sense for the threats that existed which required such a level of precaution to be taken. However to be honest arriving here in heavy rain in the afternoon having driven from the Wang Family Courtyard, we felt we probably didnt experience the site in the best weather or form.
Written February 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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