Is 2 days enough for Pingyao? Actually, it's just right. The old town is bigger than most people expect. Trying to see it all in one day often feels rushed, and you'll probably miss some of the most interesting spots.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to make the most of your time with smart routes, side trip ideas, and tips to help you avoid the usual tourist traps.
Day 1: Arrival + Inside the City Walls
A full day is enough to explore all the main highlights inside the Pingyao Ancient City, which covers 2.25 square kilometers.
Start early with a peaceful walk along the Ancient City Wall. If you're staying in a Chinese-style courtyard hotel nearby, you can reach the wall before the main crowds arrive.
Sunrise here is photogenic. You’ll get beautiful views of the tiled rooftops and narrow lanes. Climbing up the ancient wall will give you a bird‘s-eye view of how the city is laid out.
Ancient City WallNext, we suggest skipping smaller museums that feel repetitive. Focus on these two for depth:
- Visit Rishengchang Former Bank, China’s first draft bank. You will learn about its history and understand Pingyao’s importance during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- See the Escort Company Museum. It offers you a fascinating look at how armed escorts protected merchants’ wealth. It’s a great stop if you’re interested in stories of kung fu masters and trade routes.
For lunch, choose a local restaurant on or near Mingqing Street. It offers better local flavor and prices. You can even try to make traditional noodles there.
In the afternoon, explore this lively area at your own pace. We can arrange cultural experiences like paper-cutting to help you to connect with local life. The street is lined with old shops and food stalls. If you stay until dusk, you’ll see the town lit by red lanterns.
Night view of PingyaoIf you’re interested in local performance art, don’t miss the immersive show “See Pingyao Again” (又见平遥). It brings old China to life through powerful scenes and live interactions. Shows are at 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm, lasting about 90 minutes. Tickets are RMB 238 (USD 33 / SGD 45).
Day 2: Temples and Local Culture
After breakfast, head just outside the city for a deeper cultural experience.
Your first stop is Shuanglin Temple (15 mins drive from Pingyao), a quiet treasure filled with over 2,000 colorful clay statues, each one unique and full of character. It’s a hidden gem that gives you a glimpse of Buddhist art from centuries ago.
The most striking of all is the "Thousand-Hand, Thousand-Eye Guanyin", with each hand holding a different object and forming a distinct gesture.
Thousand-Hand, Thousand-Eye GuanyinYou can choose to visit Zhenguo Temple (30 mins drive from Pingyao) too, it’s home to the oldest painted clay figures from the Five Dynasties period. Its Main Hall is one of China’s oldest wooden buildings, constructed without nails, just wood-on-wood joinery.
However, Zhenguo Temple is located to the northeast of Pingyao Ancient City, while Shuanglin Temple is to the southwest, so visiting both in one trip may require over an hour of driving.
After lunch at a countryside restaurant, drive about an hour to the grand Wang Family Compound. Known as the “Forbidden City of the People”, this huge former mansion has over 1,100 rooms across 123 courtyards. It reflects the wealth and structure of old Shanxi merchant life.
Wang Family CompoundPrefer movies? You can also choose to visit Qiao Family Compound, famous as the filming site for Raise the Red Lantern (《大红灯笼高高挂》), but we recommend the Wang Family Compound for its larger scale and richer detail.
After the visit, you can continue to your next destination in the late afternoon.
How to Get to Pingyao
From Beijing
Pingyao is a small county with no airport, so the best way to get there is by high-speed train. You can catch a train from either Beijing North (北京南站) or Beijing Fengtai Station (北京丰台站). The journey takes around 3 to 4 hours. Once you arrive at Pingyao Ancient City Station (平遥古城站), it’s just a 10–15 minute car ride to the old town.
Pingyao Ancient City StationFrom Datong
There are also high-speed trains from Datong South Station (大同南站) to Pingyao Ancient City Station. The ride takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Where 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.
Traditional Chinese style innsUsually, we recommend hotels inside Pingyao Ancient City, which are closer to the attractions and more convenient for shopping. We usually use these hotels:
- Yide Hotel ***
- Chengtaihou Mansion ****
- Jing's Residence *****
- Yunjincheng Mansion *****
Contact us to book a hotel in Pingyao.
Travel Tips for Pingyao
Best Time to Visit
The best seasons are April–May and September–October. Spring is peaceful with pleasant weather and pear blossoms. In autumn, the air is crisp and cool.
September and October hosts the Pingyao International Photography Festival and the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival. Both draw visitors from around the world.
Weather and What to Pack
Pingyao is on the loess plateau, so spring can bring strong winds and sandstorms. A hat and scarf are useful. The air is dry year-round, so remember to moisturize and drink plenty of water.
Local Food
You won’t need to leave the ancient city to enjoy Pingyao’s famous food. There are plenty of restaurants and snack stalls inside the city walls, you can stop for a meal anytime between sightseeing spots.
Pingyao’s noodles are a must-try. Local favorites include knife-cut noodles, stir-fried bowl-shaped rice cakes (chao wantuo), and oat flour noodles (youmian kaolaolao). These dishes are full of flavor, usually with a spicy kick and rich seasoning, so be ready for bold tastes.
Pingyao noodlesAnother highlight is Pingyao beef. This famous local specialty has been enjoyed for generations. The beef is slow-cooked until it’s tender and soft, with a pure, natural flavor that doesn’t feel greasy or tough. It’s great to try on its own or as part of a meal.
Getting Around
Cars aren’t allowed inside the ancient city. You can explore on foot or take an electric car.
Tickets
You don’t need a ticket to enter the ancient city, but you do for the main sights. A combo ticket (RMB 125, USD 17 / SGD 23) covers 22 attractions including Rishengchang Bank and the Escort Museum.
The See Pingyao Again show and sites outside of the ancient city (like Wang’s Family Compound, Qiao’s Family Compound, Shuanglin Temple, and Zhenguo Temple) require separate tickets.
Festivals
- The Pingyao International Photography Festival is usually held in September and draws top photographers and tens of thousands of visitors.
- The Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon Film Festival takes place in September or October. It’s a great event for film lovers. Besides watching well-known films from all over the world, you might spot some famous directors and actors.
Enjoy More about Pingyao with Us
Discover Pingyao and beyond on a private trip designed just for you. We can help you explore Pingyao’s hidden gems or plan a seamless journey that connects Beijing, Datong, Pingyao, and Xi’an.
Contact us to start creating your custom tour, or check out our recommended itineraries: