Pingyao is a tiny ancient city, about 2 km (1½ miles) across, located in central Shanxi Province, about 100 km (60 miles) or 2 hours’ driving south of Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi Province, and about 290 km (180 miles) or 5 hours’ driving south of Datong, where the famous Yungang Grottoes are. You can also easily reach Pingyao from Beijing, which is about 4 hours by bullet train to the northeast.
The ancient town of Pingyao is an outstanding example of a Han Chinese city of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Together with the ancient city of Lijiang in Yunnan, the ancient city of Langzhong in Sichuan, and the ancient city of Shexian in Anhui, Pingyao Ancient Town is known as one of the "Four Best Preserved Ancient Cities" in China. Pingyao was added to the UNESCO's World Heritage List on December 31st, 1997.
Pingyao Ancient City 5 Top Things to Do in Pingyao
1. Visit Rishengchang Draft Bank — First Modern Bank in China
Rishengchang Draft Bank is in the prosperous area of West Street, the "first financial street of the Qing Dynasty" in the ancient city of Pingyao. It was founded in 1823 and it became the first bank chain in China. From that time on, its business outlets opened in almost all areas of China. Now, Rishengchang has become a museum of Chinese banking, showing the glorious history of Chinese ancient banking.
2. Explore Shuanglin Temple — “Oriental Treasure-House of Colored Sculptures”
Shuanglin Temple houses more than 2,000 painted clay sculptures of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties (960–1912). They display China’s fine tradition of painted clay sculptures with highly realistic detail that has been going since the Tang Dynasty (618–907). They are all rare treasures.
Shuanglin Temple3. Shop around Ming-Qing Street — the Wall Street of China
South Street, also known as ‘Ming-and-Qing-Dynasties Ancient Street’, is the central axis of Pingyao Ancient City. During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1367–1912), South Street controlled more than half of the financial institutions in China and was known as the ‘China’s Wall Street’ of that period. Now it is still the most prosperous place in Pingyao.
4. Walk on Pingyao’s Ancient City Wall
Pingyao’s ancient city wall, about 6 kilometers (4 miles) long, is one of the best-preserved city walls in China. If you want to take photos from the wall, it is recommended to go in the evening. The view of the old houses at the sunset is amazing.
Pingyao City Wall5. Discover Wang's Courtyard — ‘Common Folk’s Forbidden City’
Wang’s courtyard, about 35 km (22 miles) from Pingyao Town, was built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and its prominence lasted for more than 300 years. It includes five lanes, six castles, and one street, with a total area of 25 hectares (about 10 city blocks). Wang's courtyard is a big medieval building complex and it is known as an architectural art museum with traditional cultural characteristics.
Recommended Pingyao tours:
Wang's CourtyardBest Times to Go — Pingyao Weather
Pingyao County has a temperate continental semi-arid monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. The hottest month in the year is July, and the daily average temperature range is 20–31°C (68–88°F). The coldest month is January with an average daily range of -12–2°C (11–35°C). Its annual average precipitation is a low 415 mm (16”), mainly falling from July to September.
May to October is the best time to visit Pingyao, when the temperature is comfortable, i.e. not freezing (if you don’t mind the cold, the off season has few crowds and lower prices).
Pingyao features on The Five Best Places to Visit in China’s Cool September.
Pingyao Ancient City Two important Pingyao festivals are held during the warmer months:
Pingyao International Photography Festival
Pingyao International Photography Festival is held at the end of September. This festival is an international photography exhibition with Chinese traditional cultural characteristics, which operates in accordance with international practice.
Hundreds of excellent photographers and photographic institutions from China and all over the world participate in each exhibition. More than 100,000 professional photographers and amateur photographers from all over the world come to watch the annual exhibition and participate in various activities. If you are a photography lover, you should not miss this feast of artistry.
Booking hotels etc. is always tight during the photography festival. Contact us early to book a Photography Festival trip.
Pingyao Ancient Town Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival
Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival is held yearly in the middle of October. During the festival, you can appreciate excellent globally-recognized film works in Pingyao Festival Palace.
When would you like to travel to Pingyao? Please let us know and we will tailor a Pingyao trip to your individual requirements.
How to Get to Pingyao Ancient City
Pingyao Ancient City is about 2 hours’ driving from Taiyuan, about 5 hours’ driving from Datong, and about 4 hours’ driving from Wutaishan.
High-speed trains also serve Pingyao:
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Beijing to Pingyao takes about 4 hours by bullet train.
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Xi’an to Pingyao takes about 3 hours by bullet train.
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Datong to Pingyao takes about 3 hours by bullet train.
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Taiyuan to Pingyao takes about 1 hour by bullet train.
Pingyao Train Station There is no airport in Pingyao, but you can fly to the nearest airport, Taiyuan Wusu International Airport. The airport is about 100 km (60 miles) or 2 hours’ driving from Pingyao Ancient City. You can visit the Qiao Family Compound on the way when driving from Taiyuan to Pingyao. We would like to arrange the private transfer for you from Taiyuan airport to Pingyao
Contact us to effortlessly sort out your Pingyao journey.
Qiao Family CompoundWhere to Stay in Pingyao
Hotel accommodation in Pingyao County is divided into two types: inside and outside the ancient city. The hotels inside the “city” are typically folk inns with Ming/Qing-dynasty styles. Those outside Pingyao Ancient City are mainly of modern hotel chains like “Express” hotels.
Usually, we recommend hotels inside Pingyao Ancient City, which are nearer to the attractions and more convenient for shopping. We usually use these hotels:
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Yide Hotel ***
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Chengtaihou Mansion ****
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Jing's Residence *****
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Yunjincheng Mansion *****
Contact us to book a hotel in Pingyao.
Yide Hotel Pingyao Travel Tips
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Pingyao belongs to the loess plateau area, with big winds and sandstorms, especially in spring. It is recommended to bring a hat and scarf appropriate to the season.
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The air in Pingyao is relatively dry, so please pay attention to skin care and drink plenty of water when you are in Pingyao.
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Pingyao’s local food features wheat noodles as a staple, and Pingyao beef is its long-standing specialty.
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Cars are not allowed to drive into Pingyao Ancient City, but you can take an electrical car to travel around it.
Pingyao Food Pingyao’s History
The Story of Pingyao's Name
Pingyao was called Ancient Tao before the dynasties of Qin (221–206 BC) and Han (206 BC – 220 AD). According to ‘The Records of Pingyao County’, it had been the location of manor of Yao, who was the king of a union of tribes in ancient China.
In the Spring and Autumn Period (771–476 BC), Ancient Tao belonged to the Jin Kingdom, and later to the Zhao Kingdom. The county system replaced the manor system when the First Emperor of Qin unified China in 221 BC. Ancient Tao was then set as a county town and its name was changed to Pingtao.
In the early Northern Wei Dynasty (220–280 AD), Pingtao was renamed Pingyao to avoid the pronunciation “Tao”, because the emperor of the time was named Tuoba Tao. According to ancient rules, the name of an emperor, high official, head of a family, or elder of a clan was regarded as taboo by his subjects or juniors.
Pingyao Ancient City The History of Pingyao's City Wall
According to historical records, in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1045–256 BC), the King of Xuan dispatched his general Yin Jiefu to fight invaders of other kingdoms. General Yin stationed his troops in Ancient Tao and constructed a defensive wall there.
It wasn’t until the early Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), from the year 1370, that the new government enlarged and reconstructed the city wall to provide greater space for military purposes. In the following 500 years of the Ming and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties, the wall was reconstructed and repaired 26 times or more, but its basic style and size remained without many changes.
The magnificent wall has been standing there for over 600 years through the flames of war and natural weathering. Glints and flashes of swords and spears as well as flames and explosions of war all have become things of the past. The military function of the strong and high city wall has become redundant.
Now, the old wall presents to later generations a reminder of the changing dynasties and the events that occurred in the past three thousand years.
Pingyao City Wall Tour Pingyao with China Highlights
For a top-quality experience, whether you are a photographer, history enthusiast, or any type of traveler, we can tailor-make a hassle-free China tour including Pingyao Ancient City for you. Tell us your requirements and we will create a tour specially for you.
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