Pingyao – One of China’s best-preserved ancient walled town!

 

Pingyao ancient town located in the central of Shanxi Province is known as one of the “Four Best Preserved Ancient Cities” in China and listed under UNESCO World Heritage. If you are a history buff as well as architecture lover, then you will be fascinated about this ancient city. Come and explore one of China’s best-preserved ancient walled town!

 

How to get to Pingyao?

It is very convinced to reach Pingyao via high-speed train directly from Beijing or Xi’an.

* From Beijing to Pingyao takes around 4 hours.
* From Xi’an to Pingyao takes around 3 hours.

 

Best time to travel to Pingyao

From autumn to winter is the most recommended time to visit this place. During this period you can enjoy the beautiful landscape.

 

Pingyao city layout

The south street and west street are the two most important streets, full of souvenir stalls, restaurants, hotels, and major attractions.

On the south street you can find the tallest City Building in Ming & Qing Style and some popular hotels such as Tian Yuan Kui Hotel, Tong Tai Mao Hotel and Jin Jing Lou Hotel. The biggest attraction of the west street is Ri Sheng Chang, the first draft Bank in China.

 

 

Attractions inside the Pingyao city

Pingyao Ancient City Wall
The city wall in Pingyao owns the longest history and well-protected among other city walls in China. It is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) long which will take you 2 to 4 hours by foot.

 

 

Rishengchang Draft Bank
It was the very first bank chain in China founded in 1823. Here you can learn some history about Chinese ancient banking.

 

 

The Ming-Qing Street
During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1367–1912), South Street controlled more than half of the financial institutions in China and was known as ‘China’s Wall Street’. Now, you can find various shops, museums, and restaurants along the street.

 

 

QingXuGuan
QingXuGuan (Pingyao County Museum) located inside the largest Taoist temple in the ancient city, Qing Xu Guan. It was built in the Tang Dynasty. The museum holds Buddha statues, artworks, and wood carvings from the Ming and Qing Dynasty eras.

 

 

County Government Office
It is the largest and best-preserved ancient county government office in China.

 

 

Attractions near the Pingyao city

Zhangbi Underground Castle
It is a small village feature some old architecture with mysterious tunnels that meander underneath the town. This underground world served as a secret hideout and military camp during the wars in the past.

 

 

Wang Family Courtyard
This place inheriting the five thousand years’ old Chinese civilization is a rare example of Chinese architecture of Qing Dynasty.

 

 

Shuanglin Temple
Shuanglin Temple is reputed to be the ‘ancient painted sculptures museum’. It houses more than 2,000 colorful sculptures that represent the exquisite skills of the artisans of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties.

 

 

Accommodation

Pingyao Yide Hotel
It is a traditional courtyard with a 300-year history and offers Chinese-style rooms with hand-made wood furniture and artwork. It takes only 5-minute on foot from West Street and Rishengchang Draft Bank.

 

 

 

 

Pingyao Yunjincheng Folk Hotel
The hotel building itself has a three hundred years of history with a quiet and elegant environment. The room is full of traditional rosewood furniture that you can feel the allows visitors to picture the traditional Chinese living style.

 

 

 

 

Jing’s Residence Pingyao
There are 19 guestrooms at this authentic yet stylish hotel. Decorative features range from ancient carved wooden window frames and timber structural elements to bamboo flooring, and rice paper ceilings.

 

 

 

 

Travel Tips

1. Cars are not allowed in Pingyao Ancient City.
2. Pingyao is famous for wheat noodles so you must try them.
3. In Pingyao it’s pretty common to have strong winds and sandstorms, especially in spring. 
4. During the pandemic, you have to apply for an entry permit for Pingyao Ancient Town. As a foreigner, you need to provide at least 28 days working certificate in China with a green healthy code before your visit to Pingyao Ancient City.
5. The air in Pingyao is relatively dry so please take good care of your skin and drink plenty of water.

 

For more travel inspiration and more details about Pingyao, talk to our travel consultants right ahead!