Pingyao Itinerary

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.Every corner of Pingyao can provide you with an experience you won't forget, no matter if you like history, culture, or photography. To discover the charm of the best-kept ancient city in China, you can follow our travel plan that lasts from 1 to 3 days.

How to spend 1 day in Pingyao

The ancient wall of Pingyao Ancien City

If you have only one day to stay, we recommend spending it in Pingyao Ancient City, as it offers a wonderful experience.

Day1

Explore the Ancient City Wall of Pingyao. Built initially in the Western Zhou Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, this wall allows you to see the whole ancient city all at once. You can really feel its rich history too. The Rishengchang Draft Bank, set up in 1823, was China's first bank. When you go there, you can learn about how ancient Chinese finance developed and how smart the Jin merchants were.

The Ancient County Government Office is known as the biggest and best-kept county-level government building from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. By looking at its building style, plaques, and couplets, you can understand more about the bureaucratic culture of that time. The Confucian Temple in Pingyao is the oldest one still around in China. It has the biggest statues of Confucius and his students. Also, it's the largest fixed historical exhibition hall that exists in China now. End your visit by checking out the Chenghuang Temple. You can enjoy the beautiful and detailed stone carvings, murals, wood carvings, and painted sculptures there. These artworks show really great skill in making them.

Enjoy a stroll along the Ming - Qing Street. Experience the bustling business atmosphere of the past and buy some special souvenirs.

Highlight Attractions Included

• Pingyao Ancient City Wall: One of China's well-preserved city walls, witnessed dynastic changes.
• Risheng Chang Draft Bank: Forerunner of modern Chinese banking, significant in finance.
• Ancient County Government Office: Reflects Ming and Qing bureaucratic systems and culture.
• Confucian Temple: Key site for Confucian culture, rich in history.
• Chenghuang Temple : Shows fine craftsmanship, blends Buddhist, Taoist and folk cultures.
• Ming-Qing Street: Typical traditional commercial street, shows ancient commerce's prosperity.

How to spend 2 days in Pingyao

Pingyao Ancient County Government Office

If you spend two days in Pingyao, it's really a wonderful chance. You're able to explore more about the city's plentiful history and culture. Also, you can go to more places and truly feel the special charm that Pingyao has. Below is a nice plan for your two-day journey.

Day1

After arriving in Pingyao, take some rest before departing in the afternoon to visit the scenic spots.

In the afternoon, you can visit the Pingyao Ancient City. It has an area of 2.25 square kilometers. Inside the ancient city, you'll find four main streets, eight smaller ones, and seventy-two alleys. The important places to visit are the Chenghuang Temple, the County Government Office, and the Rishengchang Draft Bank in Pingyao. These places show religious art, the old way of governing, and the early success in the economy respectively. These three scenic spots are close to each other, just a 10-minute walk apart, so they are great for tourists beginning their historical trip in Pingyao.

If the weather is good in the evening, you can head to Yingxun Gate Square. There will be a light show at 9 PM. The light show lasts for 18 minutes. It uses 3D projection on the ancient city walls, mixing local history with modern technology.

Day2

In the morning, make a visit to the Zhenguo Temple situated outside the Pingyao Ancient City. The Thousands Buddhas Hall is one of China's oldest wooden buildings. It was built using mortise and tenon joints and no nails were used. Inside the hall, you can see 14 painted clay sculptures from the Five Dynasties period. Since it's the only place in Chinese temples having such sculptures, it has very high historical value.

If you have enough time in the afternoon, you can go to the Shuanglin Temple. The statue of Skanda is the most noticeable thing in the Shuanglin Temple. People know it well because of its lively shape and real-looking appearance. The Skanda statue has an S-shaped body, holds weapons tightly in its hands, and stands there confidently. People think it's one of the best Skanda statues in China.

Highlight Attractions Included:

• Chenghuang Temple: Ming-built, Qing-rebuilt, has fine carvings, murals and tiles.
• Ancient County Government Office: China's largest ancient county office, shows Ming-Qing official culture.
• Rishengchang Draft Bank: China's first bank, now become a museum for Qing finance wisdom and business.
• Yingxun Gate Square:There is a dazzling light show at night..
• Zhenguo Temple: Its Thousands Buddhas Hall is one of most ancient Chinese wooden buildings.
• Shuanglin Temple: Famous for painted sculptures, its Skanda statue is dynamica and a top Skandao statue in China.

Here are some recommendations for you:

How to spend 3 Days in Pingyao

Chenghuang Temple

Three days is an ideal choice for a short trip. However, Pingyao is a city rich with hundreds of historical attractions. How can you prepare well to fully immerse yourself in this historical city? We have compiled the most representative attractions for you to help you plan your visit effectively.

Day1

Upon arriving in Pingyao, take some time to rest at your accommodation to replenish your energy and strength.

In the afternoon, go to the Wang Family Compund. The Wang family once lived in this place. This big architectural complex has five lanes, six courtyards and one street, and it covers an area of 250,000 square meters. People call it the "Forbidden City of Shanxi", and it clearly shows the past glory of the Wang family. You can take Bus No. 1 or Bus No. 11 to get there. You'd better start your visit from Gaojiaya. Then, go to Hongmen Fortress. Finally, visit the Wang Family Ancestral Hall. These attractions are near each other. You only need to walk for 15 minutes from one to another. When you visit these places, you can know about the history of the Wang family and like the architectural designs that have lasted for a long time.

In the evening, taste Pingyao's Wantuo. It is a local special food. First, mix buckwheat flour into paste. Then steam it for 10-15 minutes. After that, cut it and mix it with condiments.

Day2

In the morning, visit the Pingyao County Government Office in Pingyao Ancient City. Here, there are performances about ancient Pingyao's criminal justice system every day, typically at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM, 7:30 PM, and 9:30 PM. You can choose to watch based on your schedule. After touring the Pingyao County Government Office, it's just a ten-minute walk to the Chenghuang Temple. The Chenghuang Temple in Pingyao is the only temple in China that worships three deities together: the City God, the Kitchen God, and the God of Wealth. Besides its cultural significance, its sculptures and architecture are also magnificent. If you're interested in Chinese temple architecture, this is a must-see.

Go to Rishengchang Draft Bank in the afternoon. Rishengchang Draft Bank had a significant impact on China's economic development; it ended the outdated practice of escorting cash by security firms and provided important lessons for the development of modern Chinese economy. Here, you can learn about the knowledge of China's modern economic development and appreciate the architectural features that blend Chinese and Western cultures.

In the evening, the amazing light show at Yingxun Gate Square awaits you. Once the light show is over, head to watch "Encore Pingyao". "Encore Pingyao" is an amazing immersive theater show. It's directed by the famous director Wang Chaoge. This creative show breaks all traditional rules. It's not just a show. It's a trip to look deeply into Pingyao's rich Jin merchant culture and unchanging traditions. It will give you a strong and long-lasting memory.

Day3

On the final day, based on your interests, you have the option to pick either Zhenguo Temple or Shuanglin Temple for a visit. Zhenguo Temple is well-known for its Thousands Buddhas Hall. The Thousands Buddhas Hall is China's oldest existing wooden building. It's joined together completely by mortise and tenon joints and doesn't use any nails. If you're interested in unique building skills, Zhenguo Temple is a great choice. In contrast, Shuanglin Temple is famous for its lifelike sculptures. Among them are the statues of Skanda and Sea-crossing Guanyin . These sculptures show the art traditions of the Tang, Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties. They look very real and are thought of as excellent works among Ming dynasty sculptures.

Prepared to pack up in the afternoon,and head back, ending this journey with wonderful memories!

Highlight Attractions Included

• Wang Family Compund:The Forbidden City of Shanxi.
• Pingyao County Government Office: It vividly shows the ancient Chinese bureaucratic systems.
• Chenghuang Temple: In this amazing temple, three gods are worshipped at the same time.
• Rishengchang Draft Bank: It is known as the first bank in China.
• Yingxun Gate Square: There is a really wonderful light show here.
• Encore Pingyao: History and dance are perfectly combined in it.
• Zhenguo Temple: It is among the oldest buildings made entirely of wood in China.
• Shuanglin Temple: It is one of the attractions that can represent clay sculpture art.

Still have no ideas? Try our recommendations:

• Pingyao Travel Guide
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• Pingyao Itinerary
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• Pingyao Top 9 Foods