Imperial City (Huangcheng)

Imperial City

Imperial City is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction.

Imperial City (a national AAAA-level scenic spot), also known as Wuting Mountain Village, covers a total area of 36,000 square meters. It was the former residence of Chen Tingjing, Qing Dynasty’s Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Minister of Personnel with an additional third-rank honor, Chief Proofreader of the Kangxi Dictionary, and lecturer at the Emperor’s Scholarly Lectures for 35 years. The architecture follows the mountain terrain, adapting to the natural contours, with official residences and civilian homes standing in close succession. It forms a uniquely distinctive complex of Ming and Qing dynasty castle-style official dwellings. “Green trees encircle the village, blue hills slant beyond the walls.” Imperial City is not only an ancient “landscape painting,” but also an Eastern fortress rich in humanistic spirit.

Imperial City is a national AAAAA-level scenic area. Since 2007, efforts have been made to establish it as a national 5A-level attraction. Over three years and with an investment of 280 million yuan, comprehensive construction and upgrades were carried out in eight areas: tourism transportation, visitor experience, safety, sanitation, postal and telecommunications services, shopping, overall management, and resource and environmental protection. It successfully passed the national evaluation and became the third AAAAA-level scenic spot in our province after the Yungang Grottoes and Mount Wutai. On January 14, 2011, the National Tourism Administration held the 5A-level scenic spot plaque awarding ceremony in Beijing, and on February 22, 2011, the Imperial City Ecological Cultural Tourism Zone was officially designated as a 5A-level scenic area.

The Imperial City, nestled against mountains and facing water, was built along the hillside with majestic walls and dense battlements. Official residences and civilian houses stand in neat rows, simple yet classic, arranged in a well-balanced and distinctive layout – forming a unique ancient architectural complex.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Imperial City flourished in scholarly achievements, produced many talented individuals, and enjoyed a rich literary tradition with numerous officials. The Chen family, who lived here, made the Imperial City their home.

This data is sourced from Baidu Maps. The final result is subject to Baidu Maps data.

The family was even more renowned as a prestigious cultural clan during the Ming and Qing periods. Between the years 1501 and 1760, spanning the reigns of the Ming Emperor Xiaozong to the Qing Emperor Qianlong, within a span of 260 years, the family produced 41 tribute students, 19 successful provincial examination candidates (Juren), 9 individuals who passed the imperial examination (Jinshi), 6 who entered the Hanlin Academy, and earned the reputation of “Nine Jinshi from one virtuous family, Six Hanlin scholars across three generations.” During this period, 38 family members entered government service, holding office across much of China in 14 provinces and cities, often achieving notable political accomplishments and earning widespread praise. Upon retirement, local people even built memorial temples in their honor.

During the golden era of the Chen family in the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, as many as 16 family members held official positions. There was even a remarkable scene of “Father and son both Hanlin scholars; brothers all Hanlin scholars,” with father and son jointly editing the Kangxi Dictionary. This family is regarded as the foremost cultural clan in northern China. In the Imperial City, whether strolling or pausing to observe, the rich historical atmosphere permeates every corner. In the early Qing Dynasty, on this very land emerged the renowned statesman, cultural figure, Neo-Confucian scholar, and poet Chen Tingjing. At his former residence remains an architectural complex covering nearly 40,000 square meters, locally referred to as “Imperial City.”

Geographic Environment

Imperial City is located in Beiliu Town, Jincheng City, in the southeastern part of Shanxi Province. To the east, it neighbors Jiaozuo City in Henan Province; to the south, it borders the ancient capital of Luoyang; to the west, it connects with Linfen City and Houma City in Shanxi Province; and to the north, it lies adjacent to Changzhi City in Shanxi Province. The Yangcheng Power Plant, currently the largest pit-mouth thermal power station in Asia, is nearby. The communication network covers the entire village, giving it a highly advantageous geographic location. The Jinyang Expressway runs close by, providing convenient transportation.

It neighbors to the south the ancient capital of Luoyang, borders Linfen City and Houma City of Shanxi Province to the west, and is closely connected to Changzhi City of Shanxi Province to the north. The Yangcheng Power Plant, currently the largest pithead thermal power station in Asia, lies just a stone’s throw away. The village enjoys full telecommunications network coverage and boasts an exceptionally advantageous geographical location. The Jinyang Expressway runs nearby, providing convenient transportation access.

The village of Huangcheng is home to 234 households and over 680 residents, cultivating 480 acres of land, with the total village area spanning 1.7 square kilometers. Underground, there are abundant and unique coal resources, while above ground stands the former residence of Chen Tingjing, Qing Dynasty’s Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion and Chief Proofreader of the Kangxi Dictionary, teacher to Emperor Kangxi—known as “Imperial City.” Since the reform and opening up, industries such as coal mining, light industry, agricultural and sideline product processing, and tourism services have been successively developed. In 2001, Imperial City was designated by the Shanxi Provincial Government as one of the new top ten tourist attractions. Today, the site attracts a continuous stream of visitors daily.

“Green trees encircle the village, blue hills slant beyond the walls.” The towering fortress is lined with dense battlements; the old courtyards and ancient houses are elegantly scattered. The splendid natural scenery blends harmoniously with the simple cultural landscape, together forming the uniquely charming appeal of the Imperial City.

Imperial City has become a vibrant blossom on the Taihang Mountains and a radiant pearl in the Yellow River basin.

Chen Tingjing (1639–1712), styled Ziduan and also known as Shuoyan, was a native of Zezhou (present-day Jincheng, Shanxi) in the Qing Dynasty. In the 15th year of the Shunzhi reign (1658), he passed the imperial examination and was appointed as a Shujishi (imperial scholar). Originally named Jing, he was given the additional character “Ting” by imperial decree due to another candidate sharing the same name, thus becoming Chen Tingjing.

Chen Tingjing had a lifelong passion for learning and excelled in poetry, prose, and music. He exchanged literary insights with the early Qing essayist Wang Wan, and composed poetry in dialogue with the famous poet Wang Shizhen—both achieving deep understanding while retaining distinct styles. His poem “Jinguo” (“The State of Jin”) begins: “Jin’s might spanned the world, Qin’s forces halted at the border…” More details about Chen Tingjing ++