North China’s Shanxi Province is well known for its historic earthen fortresses built to defend local dwellers against foreign attacks. This unique form of architecture is available throughout the countryside of the province, but most of them are poorly preserved today. Among them, the fortress encompassing the ancient town of Zhangbi Village is an exceptional example. North China’s Shanxi Province is well known for its historic earthen fortresses built to defend local dwellers against foreign attacks. This unique form of architecture is available throughout the countryside of the province, but most of them are poorly preserved today. Among them, the fortress encompassing the ancient town of Zhangbi Village is an exceptional example.