What to See in Pingyao

Pingyao, one of the famous four ancient cities in China, is endowed with a lot of places of historical interest. With quite a long history, Pingyao is home to many amazing historical sites and Pingyao's local cuisine is renowned for its diverse style and delicious taste. Pingyao attracts every visitor according to its special lingering charms of an ancient city.

Ancient City Wall

The Ancient City of Pingyao was the territory of Emperor Yao and it was first built during the period of Emperor Xuan. In 1370, in order to protect the ancient city from invasion by enemies, the tall Ancient City Wall was set up. The ancient wall is 6.4 kilometers long and 12 meters tall, and it was repaired in the Ming Dynasty and in the Qing Dynasty based on the former shape.

Ancient City Wall in Pingyao

Above the City Wall, there is an inscription of "The Ancient City of Pingyao" which was written by China's former president, Jiang Zemin. The inscription always attracts people to take photos. Seeing the sunset on the Grand City Wall is enjoyable, too.

Ri Shengchang Bank

The ancient city of Pingyao still maintains its original appearance. Because of the setup of Pingyao town, the first original bank Ri Shengchang Bank was set up, too. The appearance of Ri Shengchang Bank marks that people needn't use Biaoju (the ancient security company to protect the treasure on the business road) anymore. It plays a significant role in the financial history of China because it marks the new financial industry's formation and development.

Ri Shengchang Bank of Pingyao

Ming and Qing Street

Ming and Qing Street is another attractive sight. Walking down this street, you may feel that time has stopped. So far, the walls, streets, stores, residential areas and temples of Pingyao town remain good. The architectural pattern and style characteristics change a little. So they are live specimens for Chinese people to research politics, economics, culture, military, art and so on in ancient times. Now, the ancient city of Pingyao has convenient traffic conditions and sound service items. The department stores, restaurants, and entertainment are here and there.

Ming and Qing Street in Pingyao

Qiao Family's Mansion

The Qiao Family's Mansion is an indispensable sight on your trip to Pingyao. It is an ancient quadrangle where a famous merchant Qiao Zhiyong lived. It has the traditional architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. This famous house proved the ups and downs of China at that time. The famous movie Raise the Red Lanterns is filmed here.

Qiao Family Mansion

It is worth mentioning that Pingyao beef is fantastic. It is famous for its delicious taste all around the world. Also, the lour-made dishes are delicious and diverse. The long yam is another treasure because it is good for people's health.

There are many other scenic spots in Pingyao, such as the Family Wang's Residence, the Wooden City Tower, the Shuanglin Temple, etc. In 1997, the ancient city of Pingyao was enrolled in the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Going on a trip to Pingyao can help people to understand Chinese culture, economics, society, and religion.

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