Shuanglin Temple, originally named Zhongdu Monastery, is about seven kilometers southwest of the ancient city of Pingyao. It has stood there for 1,500 years since the Northern Wei Dynasty.

This compound is situated some 58 kilometers southwest ofPingyao. The Wang business enterprise commenced during the Ming Dynasty and wasa flourishing conglomerate by the middle of the Qing Dynasty, encompassingfarming and commerce as well as politics. A massive mansion was built as amonument to the glory of this powerful family. The construction lasted for morethan half a century and the building extended over an area of 31,956 square meters(7.9 acres), four times the size of the Qiao compound. Consisting of 54courtyards and 1,052 rooms, the Wang compound is the epitome of Orientaldomestic architecture. The buildings have been set into the hillside andprotected by a fortified curtain wall upon a loess ramp, thus creating averitable castle. The east gate faces the Mianshan Mountain which rises to2,000 meters in height (6,562 feet), while the buildings inside are dividedinto three distinct groups known as the Gaojiaya, the Hongmenbao and theAncestral Temples.

The Gaojiaya, or East Courtyards, has a seriesof dwelling houses that are walled off in the form of an irregular castle,while they each retain the traditional layout of the hall in front with thebedchamber to the rear. Gates stand at each of the four cardinal points,providing access to the various courtyards. The buildings are spread in tiersup the mountainside and are aligned in six parallel complexes. In the centrethere are the three main courtyards, which vary in size. The complex to theeast is the kitchen, while those on the west served as the private familyschool and the garden. A secret passage leads into the gardens flower cellar,which provided access in an emergency. At the north of the complex there is arow of thirteen cave dwellings. These command the highest position overlookingthe entire area and served also as a watchtower. The arrangement of courtyardwithin a courtyard, door after door and house above house creates alabyrinthine world.

Pingyao area was rich and famous for the many wealthymerchants and business men living here. Their wealth was shown by noteworthyhouses they lived in. Typical of these are the houses owned by Qiao’s and Wang’sfamily. These mansions are the Chinese equivalent of the English castle, theFrench chateau and the German schloss.

Qiao’s Compund is located sixty kilometers (37.3 miles) south of Taiyuan,and some twenty kilometers (12.4 miles) north of Pingyao. Built in 1756 duringthe Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), The buildings continue to be well maintaineddespite the fact that the Qiao family had ceased to have any influence sincethe 1940s.

The family enjoyed a prestigious status during the reign of the EmperorQianlong (1735-96), one of its patriarchs having been a famous trader, whosetravels had taken him far off into foreign lands. The family included bankingamong its activities and this meant their commercial influence spread beyondShanxi Province, their private banks being a nation-wide enterprise. Thecompounds inner courtyards and passageways have been designed to form theshape of the Chinese character for the words double happiness (shuang xi).The architecture has virtually an encyclopedic range, displaying a vast arrayof contrasting roof styles which vary from gentle slopes to high peaks whichswoop down in elegant curves. This mansion covers some 4,220 square yards andconsists of six main courtyards and twenty minor ones. There are 313 roomswhich are set on a north-south axis. An 80 meter (87 yards) long passagewayruns from east to west, dividing the complex in halves. At the western endstands the ancestral temple of the Qiao family.

The compound is contained within a 10 meter (33 feet) high wall that hasparapets and battlements on the top. At each of the four corners there is awatch tower that completes the defenses that protect the sealed and privateworld of the mansion. Within the wall a road has been constructed around threeof its sides to give ready access to the various buildings which between themhave an array of some 140 chimneys, each with a unique design.

It was this mansion that was used as the settingfor the famous film Raise the Red Lanterns.

Pingyaos old town istypically considered the best ancient walled city in China, and is on manylists of the best walled cities in the world.

The oldwalled city is 2.6 sq. kilometers (1 sq. mile), inhabited, mostly off-limits tocars, and constructed of cobbled streets and buildings almost entirely from theMing and Qing dynasties. Picture a period film showing ancient China - and youwont be far off. Wander inside the city by foot, you will be able to knowPingyao in depth. There are many historical sites for you to visit. Walk on the700-year old city wall to take the view of the old city, visit the City GodTemple, the Ancient Government Building, the First bank of China(RishengchangExchange Bank), Armed Escort Agency, walk along the Ming and Qing DynastyStreet, and observe the quiet local life in the alleyways outside of thetourist centre. Also take the chance to try the local flavor. Only the dishesmade of flour can make one full table!

The city walls of Pingyao were constructed in the 3rd year ofthe Hongwu Emperor (1370). The walls have six barbican gates. The north andsouth sides have one gate each. The east and west sides have two gates each.This pattern is similar to that of a turtle (the head, tail, and four legs),earning Pingyao the moniker "Turtle City." The walls measure about 12meters high, with a perimeter of 6,000 meters. A 4-meter wide, 4-meter deepmoat can be found just outside the walls. Aside from the four structured towersat the four corners, there are also 72 watchtowers and more than 3,000battlements. In 2004, parts of the southern walls collapsed but were reconstructed.However, the rest of the city walls are still largely intact and are consideredamong the best-preserved ancient city walls on this scale. This makes the citywalls the centerpiece of the Heritage Site.