huancheng xiangfu

Visit - Huangcheng Xiangfu

9/04/2015

Photo: BWPI

China has castles! The summer vacation to less well travelled Shanxi province allowed Barry Wilson to visit the Ming-Qing era compound of Huangcheng Xianfu (皇城相府) with its strong connection to the Qing Emperor Kangxi (康熙), one of China's longest reigning Emperors.

The "castle" itself is unfortunately well on the chinese tourist map and was thronging with local tour buses, guides, megphones and flags. But that can only slightly detract from the mighty, yet delicate impressiveness of the structures. Well preserved, it is the largest and most representative castle in the region, with access permitted to the watchtowers; the Ming era Heshan Tower (河山楼) and the later Qing dynasty Yu Tower (豫楼).

Constructed in two stages, the first buildings were erected during the late years of the Ming dynasty, when turmoil was brewing in the region. The Chen family, who had amassed considerable wealth through trading activities and later made successful careers at the imperial court, contributed financially to the construction of Huangcheng. The Heshan Tower (河山楼), built in 1632 was designed to provide shelter to 800 people during attacks, a protective wall takes advantage of the hillside. The rear wall is combined with a three-layer structure which hosted barracks and soldiers quarters. In front of this military defence, the Chen family built a complex of eight courtyards boasting several hundred rooms for civilians.

The castle was later expanded during the Qing dynasty with a new outer wall added and the Ming-era works became an inner city wall. Turrets and small watchtowers dot the walls. The Chen family were able to ingratiate themselves with the new, ruling Manchu empire, with the name Huangcheng Xiangfu (皇城相府)first coming into use in the 18th Century. The term huangcheng (皇城) means ‘Imperial City’ and refers to the two visits Emperor Kangxi (康熙) made, whilst xiangfu (相府) means ‘the House of the Chancelor.' Here, the Chancelor is a prominent Chen family member, Chen Tingjing (陈廷敬) who gained the favour of Emperor Kangxi (康熙) becoming personal tutor to the Emperor and was promoted head of the prestigious Imperial Academy (文渊阁) in 1703 at the age of 65.

Today, whilst admitting the general public, the castle remains within the private property of the Chen family.

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