Jingsheng Ancient Town

Jingsheng Ancient Town (静升古镇) is located 12 kilometers to the northeast Lingshi County (灵石县) and southwest to Pingyao Ancient Town in Shanxi Province, northern China. The scenic Mianshan Mountain (绵山) gives excellent natural landscape to Jingsheng's environment. Old Wang's Family Mansion, country houses, Red Temple and Wenbi Pagoda are built along the small river, which is flowing through the ancient town. The old architecture testifies the Jingsheng's long history, demonstrates its profound traditional Chinese culture and integrates the man-made scenery with the Mother Nature. Nowadays, businesses, pawnshops, fresh water wells, flagstone-paved streets and theater stages document the past glory.

According to some historical documents, man had been living here since the Neolithic Age. In the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC – 1046 BC), Jingsheng Ancient Town had been a prosperous place of production, labor and living. In later times, it had been an agricultural and commercial town in central Shanxi Province.

The main architectural attraction in Jingsheng town is the Wang's Family Mansion. It was built in early Qing Dynasty, expanded many times until the era of Jiaqing Emperor in early of nineteenth century, to about 150,000 square meters, which we see today. Wang's was one of the four big and rich families in old Lingshi County, they were the offspring of Wang in Taiyuan (now the provincial capital of Shanxi). During the Yuan Dynasty, they moved the Jingsheng town. At that time, Wangs had been doing business. Later some of the family members had become imperial officials. The family built large houses with luxury exterior designs and interior decorations.

Today, as the opening of the China Folk Houses Art Museum, the ancient architecture of Gaojiaya (高家崖) is revealed. It was built between late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. There are 26 courtyards with about 220 rooms. The Wang's Family Museum is the Hongmenbao (红门堡) architecture. The mansion area's layout is in "王" shape, which is the family name Wang. The castle-like buildings of Gaojiaya and Hongmenbao are opposite to one another, a bridge is being linked to them.

Stand on the top of the Gaojiaya's gatehouse to see the magnificent houses and mountain scenery, you will feel ease and relaxed because of the beautiful panoramic view.