Pingyao

We rode to Pingyao by train. Once off the train, we stopped to have some Baozi which are big fluffy dumplings. Then, we drove to the Chang mansion. This mansion has 1,000 rooms, and it covers an area of 120,000 sq meters. It was built 200 years ago in the 16th century. This family made money by trading silk and tea with Russia. The peak of their wealth was during the 8th and 9th generations. In the 1950s, the Chang family scattered all over the world, and now, in the 28th generation, there are 3,000 descendants left. At the entrance of the mansion, there are two flagpoles to honor the 42 officials that were from the Chang family.

First, we visit the family shrine. This family practiced Confucianism, so they greatly honored their ancestors. Therefore, in the center, there is a statue of the first Chang man who was a farmer. Opposite the statue, there is a stage for opera performances, and on all of the columns there are intricate wood carving designs. Next, we visited the Apricot Garden. This garden was built during the Qing dynasty in the 1800s.  The reason this garden is an apricot garden is because Confucius only preached in apricot gardens. There was a wall that we passed to enter the garden. On the wall, there is a symbol of Ying and Yang. This symbol comes from Daoism, which is a religion that explains how the universe functions. Around the Ying and Yang, there are many sticks that symbolize the changes in the universe. While we were walking in the garden, we enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful scenery. We reach a small lake with rocks all around and a little wooden temple on the far side. There were many weeping willows all around the lake. We cross over a little bridge to reach the Crops Watching Tower.

The purpose of this tower was for the Chang family to be able to watch their crops being planted and harvested. There are two staircases leading up to the entrance. From the top of the tower we could see many trees, ponds with blooming lily blossoms, and beautiful flowers. We could also see many buildings. Our guide told us there are 50 buildings on this Chang family estate. Next, we go to the family school. The parents want their children to be very well educated, so they hire teachers to come there and teach their children.

Then, we go to the female living quarters. The top floor is for girls ages thirteen to fifteen. These girls stay in one room beginning from the age of thirteen and learn how to be a wife, and then at fifteen they get married. The bottom floor is for the girls’ servants. Next, we go the patriarch and matriarch living quarters. On the outside of the building, there are engravings of traditional Chinese characters in a blue color, and on the columns, there is poem of praise to the matriarch and patriarch. Inside the building, there are three rooms: on the right is the bedroom, in the center is the living room, and on the left is the study room. Finally, we leave the Chang family house and go to check in at our hotel.