Chang Family Manor Hiking Guide

Chang Family Manor is the ancestral home of the Chang family, known as "China's Number One Confucian Merchant Family." The manor is vast in scale and is praised as "one courtyard for the Qiao family, two streets for the Chang family," making it a highly worthwhile representative of northern residential architecture.

🏮 Chang Family Manor Travel Tips

📌 Basic Information

· Opening Hours: April 1 - October 31, 08:00-18:30; November 1 - March 31, 08:00-17:30
· Ticket Prices: Adult ticket 75 RMB, concession ticket (children/elderly/students) 40 RMB
· Free Admission: Children under 1.2 meters, seniors over 65, active military personnel, and disabled persons
· Recommended Visit Duration: 2-3 hours

🏯 Main Attractions

Chang Family Manor is famous for its layout of "one street, two forts, three gardens, and four courtyards." Key highlights to focus on during your visit include:

· Jing Garden: The finest example of northern private gardens, covering 80,000 square meters, blending the elegance of Jiangnan water towns with the grandeur of northern architecture. The iconic Guanjia Pavilion offers panoramic views of the entire garden.
· Shiyunxuan Academy: A garden-style academy complex housing rare treasures such as the Shiyunxuan calligraphy model books, known as the "Folk Calligraphy Museum."
· Brick Carvings and Wood Engravings: The manor features over 600 carved wooden windows, 81 brick screen carvings, and exquisite stone, wood, and brick carvings along with painted patterns. The colorful paintings in Guihe Hall remain vivid even after a century.

🚗 Transportation Guide

· Bus: Take bus 901 from Taiyuan Railway Station to the terminal at Jinzhong Bus South Station, then transfer to bus 12 directly to the manor; or take bus 12 directly from Yuci.
· Self-driving: From Taiyuan, take Taiyu Road and National Highway 108 to Yuci Dongyang Town, then turn right to reach the manor.

💡 Visiting Tips

1. The current scale of Chang Family Manor is only one-quarter of its historical peak but still covers 120,000 square meters. It is recommended to manage your energy wisely and focus on Jing Garden, Guihe Hall, and Shiyunxuan Academy.
2. The apricot orchard in the manor is like snow in spring, perfect for photos; in summer, the lush trees provide a cool environment for touring.
3. If time permits, combine your visit with nearby attractions such as Yuci Old Town and Hougou Ancient Village to experience a more complete Jinzhong culture.