Castles can be regularly found in western countries, especially European ones. But many people do not know about mysterious and attractive Chinese castles.
The Xiamen Castle is located in Lingshi County in Jinzhong City of Shanxi Province. It stands securely under a mountain near a river.
In contrast to many western castles which were used for defense, the Xiamen Castle mainly serves as a place for folk performances, although it looks like a fortification.
The construction of the castle started in the Ming Dynasty and ended during the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty. With a history of more than 400 years, it has witnessed the historical evolution of Shanxi Province.
The castle, which consists of more than 60 courtyards, is a typical civilian building of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
It combines the stately manner of northern Chinese architecture in its overall structure and the exquisite crafts of southern Chinese architecture in its details, reflecting the architectural styles and technological levels of the Ming and Qing periods. Most of the castle's alleys, courtyards, walls and doors have been preserved and are now important relics.
The castle was constructed and owned by a local noble family of which 185 members had been court officials during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although some of the buildings there are now deserted, a few people live in the castle today and are unwilling to leave.
The appearance of the castle nowadays is much different from what it was during its heyday. The areas where people still live are animated, but the deserted ones are dilapidated and covered by a mysterious veil. This is part of the castle's allure for tourists.
The local government has taken measures to protect the castle since 1994. But locals say the best way to preserve it is by allowing people to continue living there. Only in this way will the castle's vitality be maintained.
