This site is a part of the village of Guoyu, near the town of Beiliu, which sits alongside a river, at the foot of a mountain. It was built in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618–907) in an architectural style characteristic of the time, with impressive walls and many battlements, a towering building called the "yulou", temples, residences for officials, and various houses. It covers a 179,000-square–meter area and has 40 dwellings with 1,100 rooms that date back to the Ming Dynasty (1368—1644) and contains the old lion courtyard, small lion courtyard, and the mansions of Chen and Wang families .

Address: Guoyu village, Beiliu town, Yangcheng county

Best time to visit: April – October

Hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm Tickets: 20 yuan

Getting there: Take the Jinyang Freeway in the city of Jincheng and exit at the Beiliu toll gate. Turn left and drive approximately two kilometers.

Tips: There are sharp temperature differences during spring and autumn, with cool mornings and nights, so it is advisable to take some warm clothing. The summer ultraviolet rays can be quite strong, so sunscreen recommended. And, it can be a little cold in winter so make sure you stay warm.

(Photo/Xinhua)