Pingyao Travel Guide: Plan a Cultural Trip to Explore the Thousand-Year-Old Ancient City
Located in the central part of Shanxi Province, China,Ā Pingyao, also known as Pingtao, is an ancient county-level city under the administration of Jinzhong City. It has remarkably preserved Ming and Qing architecture and is considered one of the “Four Best Preserved Ancient Cities” in China, along with Lijiang Ancient City in Yunnan, Langzhong Ancient City in Sichuan, and Shexian Ancient City in Anhui.
PingyaoĀ CityĀ features a unique traffic network, which is composed of four main streets, eight smaller streets, and seventy-two lanes. Once a thriving financial center, it hasĀ over 300 historical sites, such as Chinaās first modern bank named Rishengchang Draft Bank, the oriental treasure house which is Shuanglin Temple, and Wangās Courtyard with traditional architecture.
Chinese: å¹³é„ pĆng yĆ”o
Location: Central Shanxi
Population (urban area): 448,000
Why Visit Pingyao?
- Architectural Marvel: PingyaoĀ offers a great chance toĀ experience the authentic layout and style of traditional Han Chinese architectureĀ with a history spanning over 2,700 years and is remarkably well-preserved from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- Rich Financial History: PingyaoĀ has a splendidĀ financial history, which can be seen fromĀ the Rishengchang Draft Bank, the first modern bank in China, and the South Street, also known as Chinaās Wall Street, where many banks and merchants operated.
- Artistic and Cultural Heritage: PingyaoĀ greets visitors with valued artistic and cultural heritage, includingĀ the Shuanglin Temple,Ā Zhenguo Temple, Wangās Courtyard,Ā and more.
- Delicious Food: Famous for its Shanxi flavor food, PingyaoĀ treats visitors to manyĀ delectable dishes like Pingyao beef, noodles, vinegar, and a variety of snacks famous for their distinct flavors, which are must-try on your Shanxi tours.
Top Attractions in Pingyao
Top Things to Do in Pingyao
Explore the Ancient City Wall
Being the best-preserved city wall in China, PingyaoĀ Ancient City WallĀ is grand in scale and it shows the excellence of ancient military defense and architectural techniques. It is roughly square in shape, with a length of 6.2 kilometers, consisting of the wall body, horse faces, horse-blocking walls, crenellations, city gates, and gate towers. Take a stroll along the City WallĀ of Pingyao, which is aĀ UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and youāll be amazed by this architectural marvel.
Visit the Rishengchang Draft Bank
Established in the fourth year of the Daoguang reign (1824), Rishengchang in PingyaoĀ is the first draft bank in China. Over a century of ups and downs, it achieved remarkable success, leading the nation’s financial industry. The former site of Rishengchang has now been transformed into the China Draft Bank Museum. Here, you can experience the past century and more of financial history.
Admire the Traditional Architecture
PingyaoĀ has preserved many uniquely characteristic ancient buildings, among which residential architecture is especially distinctive. For instance, there are many grand-scale Jin Merchant Courtyards, such asĀ the Wangās Family Courtyard, the Maās Family Courtyard, and Leeās Family Courtyard. Besides, the Ming and Qing Dynasties StreetĀ is also worth visiting. Lined on both sides with high, adjoining roofs, there are 78 ancient shops densely packed along the street.
Discover the Shuanglin Temple
VisitingĀ the Shuanglin TempleĀ of PingyaoĀ and admiringĀ the collection of more than 2,000 painted clay sculptures must be a meaningful thing to do during your Pingyao tours. Included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, it is a typical Sinicized Buddhist temple known for its exquisite colored sculptures, earning it the title of the “Treasure House of Oriental Colored Sculpture Art.”
Sample Delicious Local Cuisine
PingyaoĀ is heaven for food enthusiasts because of its diverse and unique local delicacies of Shanxi flavors. Pingyao Beef, Puffed Oil Cake, and Hehe Rice are must-try food on your Pingyao tours. Besides, you can enjoy the long-standing fried chicken on West Street, explore a variety of local snacks outside the West Gate, and taste traditional Jin dishes such as vinegar pork and braised chicken at Hongwuji.
See the Ancient City at Night
Different from the scenery at daytime, the lights outline the contours of the city wall. And the red lanterns on the South Street add a unique charm to the stores on this bustling quarter. If you go there on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, do not miss the splendid 3D light show displayed at Yingxun Gate on 08:00 in the evening. This show lasts for about 18 minutes. With the city wall as the backdrop, the history and culture of Pingyao Ancient City is unfolded before your eyes.
Read more about the Top Things to Do in Pingyao
Pingyao Weather & Best Time to Visit
PingyaoĀ of ShanxiĀ has a temperate continental monsoon climate characterized by four distinct seasons. The annual average temperature is 10.60Ā°C, with an average temperature of 24.50Ā°C in the hottest month of July and -5Ā°C in the coldest month of January.Ā Besides, the annual rainfall is about 415.9 mm, usually concentrated from July to September.
The best time to visit PingyaoĀ is in autumn fromĀ September to November,Ā during which the climate is pleasant for touring and outdoor activities. Whatās more, Winter, though cold,Ā is also a good timeĀ for visitors to enjoyĀ the snow-covered ancient city and experience the local customs.
How to Plan a Pingyao Tour
The entrance ticket of Pingyao Ancient City includes all the 22 core scenic spots inside it. From the number, you may have known that 1 – 2 days will be a reasonable time. Then outside the ancient city, what are unmissable for tourists? How about the āOriental Colored Sculpture Art Treasureā, Shuanglin Temple? Or feast your eyes with the wooden Wanfu Hall in Zhenguo Temple. And choose one from Qiao’s Family Compound and Wang’s Family Compound to feel the Shanxi Merchants culture. Both courtyards are not inside Pinyao County and a dedicated side trip is needed, so tour one of them is better. >> Read on to see more details about planning a trip to Pingyao
Recommended tours: 3 Days Pingyao Discovery Tour
Pingyao Hotels
Most Pingyao hotelsĀ are transformed fromĀ local residences with the Ming and Qing styles,Ā which are in great demand,Ā so book a hotel for your trip to Pingyao in ShanxiĀ in advance. If you prefer to stay inside the ancient city, Pingyao Harmony Hotel, Water Hotel Pingyao, Jing’s Residence Pingyao, and Yide Hotel PingyaoĀ are good options, all provide Chinese-style rooms with hand-made fine wood fittings and artwork, and offerĀ luggage storage service, laundry service, and more.
Tips for Traveling in Pingyao
- Located in the Loess Plateau region, Pingyaois known for its big winds and sandstorms, especially during the spring season. So you should betterĀ bring appropriate headwear such as hats and scarves to prevent winds and sandstorms.
- Pingyao International Photography Festivaland Pingyao International Film FestivalĀ takeĀ place annually in late September or early October.Ā If you are fond of photography and films, never miss them.
- Itās free to enter the ancient city and explore the main streets and valleys, but entry to specific attractions requires a ticket, which costs 125 RMB per person and is valid for three days.
Pingyao Transportation
How to Get to Pingyao
By Flight: PingyaoĀ does not own an airport. But if you prefer to travel by flight, you can fly to Taiyuan, which is 100km from Pingyao. Then take a train to Pingyao from Taiyuan.
By Train:Ā There are two railway stations in the city, that is, Pingyao Railway Station for normal trains and Pingyao Gucheng Railway StationĀ for high-speed trains. Itās easy for you to reach Pingyao byĀ train from BeijingĀ (4 hours), XiāanĀ (3 hours), DatongĀ (3.5 hours), TaiyuanĀ (1 hour), and other cities.
Recommended Beijing Pingyao Xiāan Tours
- 9 Days China Cultural Tour of Beijing-Datong-Pingyao-Xiāan
- 10 Days Historic China Tour of Xiāan-Pingyao-Datong-Beijing
Ā By Bus:Ā If you find yourself in nearby cities like Taiyuan, you can also take a long-distance bus to Pingyao, which takes about 2 hours.
How to Get around PingyaoĀ
PingyaoĀ bus system is now well-improved, which allows you to get to tourist attractions easily. Most buses can take you to Pingyao Ancient City, including Buses No. 15, 17, 21, 22, 108, 302, 204, 209, and 211. Besides, you can take Bus No. 209 to Zhengguo Temple and Bus No. 108 to Shuanglin Temple.
The transportation inside Pinyao Ancient City is a little bit different. Motor vehicles are not allowed to pass through, so walking has been the main way to go sightseeing. Of course, considering the elders, kids and tourists with heavy luggage, the batter car is put into use.
FAQs about Planning Pingyao Tours
What is the significance of Pingyao in China’s financial history?
In brief, it is the birthplace of modern bank industry in China. In 1832, Rishengchang Bank was established here. It is Chinaās first private financial institution which is dedicated in deposit, loan disbursement and exchange. In its heyday, its subbranches were evenly opened in Europe, America and South Asia. It can be said that from the 19th century to the early 20th century, Pingyao was the financial center of China.
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Is there an entrance fee to walk around the main streets of Pingyao Ancient City?
No, it is free. Only the inside scenic spots are charged, so feel free to explore the main streets.
Do I need a separate ticket for attractions like the Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple?
Yes, because they are not in the Pingyao Ancient City. A separate ticket for Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple is CNY 33 and CNY 23, respectively.
How far are the Qiao’s Family Compound and Wang’s Family Compound from the ancient city?
Both are about 50 kilometers away and require a 1.5-hour driving.
Is it better to stay inside or outside the ancient city walls?
The experience is quite different between the stay inside and outside the city. The quadrangle courtyard inn inside the city may can not be enjoyed in other attractions, so it is highly recommended. And you can walk to most scenic spots, so you will not waste too much time on transportation. While living outside the city can save more money on accommodation. And there are more chain hotels for you to choose. But it lacks the historical atmosphere of the ancient city.
What is the difference between Pingyao Railway Station and Pingyao Gucheng Railway Station?
Pingyao Railway Station is the traditional slow train station. But it is very close to Pingyao Ancient City with a distance of 10 minutesāĀ walking. Pingyao Gucheng Railway Station is a high-speed train station, which is about 15 minutesāĀ driving to the ancient city.
Discover the Secrets of Pingyao with China Xian Tour
This is a saying in China that āThe best cultural relics on the ground are in Shanxi Provinceā. And Pingyao Ancient City is the most famous among them. You must canāt wait to explore the city. But you may want to know how to plan aĀ PingyaoĀ trip. Contact China Xian Tour, we will customize a plan for you after knowing about your interests. We can also arrange the characteristic local hotel or a local guide based on your need. So contact us right now!
Our Top Pingyao Tours
