Ping Yao is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Han Chinese city, founded in the 14th century. Its urban fabric shows the evolution of architectural styles and town planning in Imperial China over five centuries.
A look at the city
Pingyao is a tiny ancient town, 100 kilometers (62 miles) away from Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province. After hundreds of years, when most towns and counties were destroyed by wars and modern construction, the ancient city still stands as a witness of history.
An ancient city
The ancient City, lasting for more than 2,700 years, is almost as old as legends before the recorded history of Chinese nationality. Pingyao still retains its city layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties, conforming to a typical bagua pattern. More than 300 sites in or near the city have ancient ruins. Preserved Ming- and-Qing-style residences number close to 4,000. The streets and storefronts still largely retain their historical appearance.
A financial center
Pingyao was the financial center of China in the late Qing Dynasty. During those times, there were as many as 20 financial institutions within the city, comprising more than half of total in the whole country. Among these is " Ri Sheng Chang remittance bank," considered the first bank in China. The main street of the city, currently a 440-meter-long street in the Ming and Qing styles, had been called the Wall Street of Asia in the 19th century.
"Little Beijing"
In the Ming and Qing dynasties, scholars were superior to all other walks of life and merchants were taken as one of the lowest social classes. However, the Pingyao people took a completely different view. According to them, success in business was taken as their pride, while scholars were ranked as even inferior to peasants and soldiers.
Design of the city
The design of the ancient city is strictly according to China's traditional archaeological thoughts. It is also called the city of the turtle with the southern gate as the head, the northern gate as the tail, the four gates in the west and east as the four legs and the four major streets, eight small streets and 72 lanes as designs on the back of the turtle. In ancient China, a turtle was the symbol of longevity and peace.
The city is square and upright and all streets cross each other horizontally and vertically. A main street from north to south divides the town into two parts with the city tower located in the center.
Major constructions are distributed orderly in the left and right parts of the city with the town god's temple in the left city corresponding to the county governmental office in the right, the Confucian temple in the left corresponding to the Guandi Temple worshipping Guan Yu, deified god of war, in the right, and the Qingxu Temple of Taoism in the left corresponding to Buddhist temples in the right.
"Three Treasures"
Among the "Three Treasures"of Pingyao, the City Wall is rated highest, the other two being Zhenguo Temple, and Shuanglin Temple. Although they have been repeated renovations, the city walls, streets, shops, temples and other buildings are still in a very good condition.
Ancient City Wall of Pingyao
Among the "Three Treasures" of Pingyao, the City Wall is rated highest. The whole city takes a quadrate shape with walls of 12 meters high. The City Wall was built by laying rocky bricks and has a moat of 4 meters deep and 4 meters wide surrounding them to strengthen the defense of the city. It is said that there are 3000 battlements and 72 watchtowers on the top of the walls according to the number of disciples and elitist students of Confucius.
Shuanglin Temple
With a long history of more than 1,4oo years, the Shuanglin Temple is reputed to be the "ancient painted sculptures museum." The temple houses more than 2,000 colorful sculptures reflecting the exquisite skills of the artisans of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Zhenguo Temple
With a history of more than 1,000 years, Zhenguo Temple is famous for its building technique and the color-painted sculptures of the Five Dynasties. In terms of its building technique, the most representational is the Ten-Thousand-Buddha Hall, which is one of the three oldest timberworks in mainland China.
Getting around
With a history of more than 2700 years, Pingyao is a famous historic cultural city of China and a world cultural heritage site. It has kept all the characters and unfolded a full picture of culture and social development in Chinese history.
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Walk around on the awesome City Wall, one of the most intact ancient city walls in China , and get interesting views over the inner city.
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Explore the "Civilian Forbidden City" - Family Wang's Residence, an ancient residence compound of government official with grand scale.
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Visit the appealing dwelling houses of Qiao Family's Compound, a famous merchant's house where the movie "Raise the Red Lanterns" is filmed.
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Visit Ri Sheng Chang remittance bank, the first draft bank in China and the beginning of a nation wide financial system.
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Climb up steep and narrow stairs to the wooden City Tower, the landmark of Pingyao, and get a great view from atop.
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Come across the Ancient Parade Performance, in which people are dressed in Ming Dynasty costume and enjoy free lantern shows at night.
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Ride around the city to discover the back alleys, visit an ordinary family and see the details of the superb Ming dynasty architectures.
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Walk through the Ming and Qing street, an old street lined with completely traditional Chinese-style restaurants and tourist shops.
- Try to experience and stay in an old-style hotel, cozy, warm and amiable, everything Chinese, an exotic experience.