7 Days in Jincheng

The minister's compound grew around Chen Tingjing (1638-1712), chief editor of the 1716 Kangxi Dictionary with its 47,000-odd entries; Guoyu's own walls rose in the same bandit-worried decades, and the two compounds sit minutes apart on foot.

1. jincheng huangcheng xiangfu
2. jincheng guoyu fortress

In Lingchuan county the Taihang ridgelines run above 1,600 metres — cloud seas below the path in season, stone terraces spilling down the flanks.

1. jincheng wangmang ridge

The village spent 30 years — 1962 to 1991 — cutting its 7.5-km windowed road through the cliff; the lower village lanes and riverbed make the second half of the day.

1. jincheng xiyagou cliff road

At Qinshui county, a walled village begun in the 1620s — three-storey house-faces along the inner street and a water gate over the stream.

1. jincheng xiangyu fortress

Founded in the 550s under Northern Qi and rebuilt by Tang patrons, the temple sits under Jue mountain with statue halls from the 618-907 era — a quiet mountain stop above the Dan river valley.

1. jincheng qinglian temple

The Fucheng Yuhuang temple keeps 28 clay statues of the lunar mansions, Yuan-dynasty work (1271-1368); stay for the molten-iron show at Situ Town after dark.

1. jincheng yuhuang temple
2. jincheng situ town

A market breakfast of millet porridge and sesame flatbread, a last look down the Dan valley from the bridge, then the HSR from Jincheng East.

1. jincheng city markets