More castle than cosy home, this Qing-dynasty former residence is grand and has been very well maintained (note the wooden galleries still fronting many of the courtyard buildings). Its sheer size, though, means that the seemingly endless procession of courtyards (123 in all) becomes a little repetitive. It's easiest to join a tour or hire a car here. Four direct buses (¥17, one hour, 7.10am, 8.40am, 12.40pm and 4.20pm) leave from Píngyáo’s bus station, returning at 10.50am, 12.30pm, 3.50pm and 5.20pm.
Behind the castle walls are interesting and still-occupied cave dwellings (窑洞; yáodòng ), while in front of the complex is a Yuan-dynasty Confucius Temple , with a beautiful three-tiered wooden pagoda.
