Pingyao Travel Guide

Pingyao County is located in Shanxi Province and has more than 300 historical sites. The transportation network of Pingyao Ancient City consists of four main streets, eight side streets and 72 winding alleys. Rishengchang Draft Bank is known as the "beginning of modern banking in China" and its slogan "unifying the world" is highly praised. Shuanglin Temple is known as the "treasure house of oriental colored sculpture art", and the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Zhengguo Temple is one of the earliest existing wooden structures in China. If you are visiting Pingyao for the first time, you can refer to this travel guide, which will make your journey easier.

What to see and do in Pingyao

Must-see Attractions in Pingyao

Pingyao is the county with the most cultural heritage in Shanxi. Its historical architecture and artifacts are so numerous that they are overwhelming. How can one tour to maximize the experience of Pingyao's rich historical, cultural, and artistic heritage? The following is a summary of some of Pingyao's must-see attractions. These attractions constitute a complete Pingyao cultural system. From the ancient city system, religious art to residential architecture, they fully demonstrate the brilliant achievements of ancient Chinese civilization and will definitely make your journey rewarding.

Pingyao Ancient City

Pingyao Ancient City

This ancient city, which was first built in the Western Zhou Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, has completely preserved the 6.4-kilometer Ming Dynasty city wall, 72 watchtowers, and the "turtle city" layout of four streets and eight alleys. It is especially worth seeing the ancestor of China's financial industry - Rishengchang Daft Bank, which pioneered the prototype of modern banking.

Shuanglin Temple

Statue of Skanda

Shuanglin Temple, a thousand-year-old temple known as "the Oriental Painted Plastic Art Museum". There is a statue of Skanda in its Thousand Buddhas Hall. This statue of Skanda is regarded as the most perfect Skanda statue in China, and it has been recorded in the art history of China with its unique S-shaped dynamic curve. There are 2056 colored sculptures in the temple, which lasted from the Song and Yuan Dynasties to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, showing the artistic styles in different periods.

Zhenguo Temple

Five Dynasties Clay Sculptures

Built in the seventh year of the Northern Han Dynasty (963), the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall in Zhenguo Temple is an architectural miracle that adopts the Tang Dynasty architectural style, characterized by grand dougong brackets and deep eaves. Special attention should be paid to the 11 painted sculptures of the Five Dynasties in the temple, which are the only group images of the Five Dynasties in the national temples.

The Wang Family Compound

The brick carvings of Wang Family Compund

Covering an area of 250,000 square meters, this building complex in the Qing Dynasty, with the pattern of "five lanes, six castles and one street", perfectly exemplifies the characteristic of Shanxi merchant residences that value elegance over ostentation". Its brick carvings of 'Four Free Spirits' and stone carvings of 'Generations of Nobility' are both rare artistic treasures. These four scenic spots constitute a complete Pingyao cultural system, which shows the brilliant achievements of ancient civilization in China from the establishment of ancient cities, and religious art to residential buildings. If you have enough time to visit, we suggest you go to Pingyao Ancient City first. Spanning an area equal to 315 football fields, it needs a full day for a complete visit. For a briefer tour, focus on key spots: the Ancient City Wall, Rishengchang Draft Bank, Chenghuang Temple, Confucius Temple, and Pingyao County Government. After exploring the ancient city, visit Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple. Save the last day for the Wang Family Compound. If interested, check our Pingyao travel tips and recommended tours below:

Things to do in Pingyao

Pingyao is not only rich in historical artifacts but also boasts a variety of delicious cuisines and unique folk activities.

Must-eat Foods

Wantuo

Wantuo

With a century-old history, Wantuo is a classic pasta snack in Pingyao. A well-made Wantuo offers a chewy, smooth texture and delicious taste, loved by all ages. It’s popular year-round, enjoyed cold in summer or stir-fried in winter.

Pingyao Beef

Pingyao Beef

Pingyao Beef is crafted from premium veal leg meat, cooked and marinated to perfection. It's tender, with just the right amount of fat that's not greasy, and it's lean without being dry, offering a crispy and delicious bite. You can enjoy it at any restaurant in Pingyao. If you love it, you can also buy vacuum-packed versions to take home.

Daoxiaomian

Daoxiaomian

Daoxiaomian is a noodle cut by a skilled chef. Daoxiaomian is thick in the middle, thin in the edge, angular and shaped like a willow leaf. They are smooth outside, chewy inside, soft but not sticky. The more you chew, the better it tastes. Served with a mix of sauce and aged vinegar, it has a distinctive flavor and is widely popular in northern China. There is a saying that the face of the world is in China, the face of China is in Shanxi and the face of Shanxi is Pingyao.

Youcha

Youcha

Shanxi Youcha, a classic among the traditional healthy foods of the Shanxi merchants, has a history of over a thousand years in Pingyao. People make this delicious treat by first stir-frying flour and then adding different kinds of ingredients. Once brewed with hot water, it turns into a thick paste. At the start, wealthy merchants were the ones who got to enjoy this delicacy. But as time went on, it gradually changed and became a nutritious and healthy drink that ordinary folks really like.

Hehe Noodle

It is a classic dish from Pingyao, combining vegetables, noodles, rice, and broth into a hearty meal. The Hu Jie people, originating in the late Jin Dynasty, boiled local coarse grains and vegetables, creating this popular specialty.

Must-try Activities

Pingyao International Photography Festival

The Pingyao International Photography Festival (PIP), which was established in 2001, has successfully held 23 sessions. 50,000 photographers have been attracted by it, and 350,000 works from more than 100 countries and regions have been displayed. It has drawn 5 million visitors. PIP is a photography event that runs for the longest time and has the largest scale in China. PIP has turned into an important power in China's photography field and a worldwide attention point in photographic art after 23 years of efforts. Being recognized around the world, PIP is famous for its strong national features, variety, creativity, broad influence, and professional-level.

Tips：The Pingyao International Photography Festival is held in mid-September each year, previously from September 19th to September 25th.

Pingyao Chinese New Year

Launched in 2006, the "Pingyao Chinese New Year" event is held in Pingyao Ancient City every year from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month to the 16th day of the first lunar month. Having been around for nearly 20 years, it has turned into a special festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of Chinese and foreign tourists annually. During the event, tourists can enjoy folk performances like "The County Magistrate's Welcome", "Ladies' Show", "Escort", lion dances, and yangko. There's also local yangko with auspicious lyrics in the Pingyao dialect. At the intangible cultural heritage market, they can experience things like push-lacquerware and paper-cutting, and learn about special foods like Pingyao beef and aged vinegar. Moreover, they can join in traditional New Year activities such as admiring lanterns, watching operas, making dumplings, and taking part in lucky draws.

Where to stay in Pingyao

Comfortable accommodation is the key to a good travel experience. Since choosing the right place to stay matters, we’ve picked 4 hotels below based on quality, price, and transport.

What is the weather like in Pingyao and what is the best time to visit?

Pingyao has a temperate continental monsoon climate with four clear seasons. You'll notice big changes in temperature, and most of the rain comes during the summer.

Seasonal Weather Overview

When is the best time to visit Pingyao?

The best months to visit the Ancient City of Pingyao are January, September, and November every year. In January, because the "Pingyao Chinese New Year" event is held then, the whole Ancient City of Pingyao is filled with a strong Chinese New Year atmosphere. If you like to see unique Chinese folk customs, January is the best time for your trip here. But if you prefer a quieter visit, you can choose to go to Pingyao in September or November. These months avoid the peak tourist seasons of Chinese holidays, so there won't be too many people in Pingyao. You'll have enough space to visit the scenic places in Pingyao. The Pingyao International Photography Festival is also held in September, and the weather is neither cold nor hot, just right. In November, it's winter and cold, but there are fewer tourists. You can also enjoy special folk community fire shows and the nice view of the ancient city covered with white snow.

What to wear in each season

Pingyao has windy and sandy springs with significant day-night temperature fluctuations. Summers are hot, while autumns and winters are cold and dry, requiring seasonal clothing considerations.

Spring

Spring temperatures range from 5°C to 25°C, with notable morning and evening differences. Early spring requires thermal underwear or a sweater, jeans, and Martin boots, plus a woolen hat and scarf for warmth. As temperatures rise to 25°C, opt for a shirt or T-shirt with a trench coat, loose pants, and sports shoes, and keep a silk scarf for temperature changes.

Summer

In summer, Pingyao's temperatures range from 25°C to 35°C. For safety on the stone roads, wear sports or flat shoes instead of high heels. Choose light, airy clothes like short-sleeved tops, shorts, or dresses. Bring a sunscreen shirt or thin jacket for air-conditioned places. Don't forget a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen with SPF 50+, and a handheld fan.

Autumn

In early autumn, temperatures typically range from 15°C to 25°C. Mornings and evenings can be quite chilly, so wearing a long-sleeved shirt with a light jacket is ideal, along with straight-legged pants or a skirt. Adding a silk scarf can enhance your look, especially as the season brings cooler and windier mornings and evenings. To stay warm, consider opting for a sweater, thick jeans, and sturdy boots like Dr. Martens.

Winter

During winter, temperatures generally fluctuate between 5°C and -5°C, leading to cold, dry, and windy weather. To keep warm, it's advisable to wear a long down jacket, cotton pants, and snow boots. Additionally, a thick scarf, hat, and face mask are essential for protection against the wind and sand.

Pingyao Transportation Guide

How to get to Pingyao?

By Airplane

Fly into Taiyuan Wusu International Airport and take the airport bus to either Taiyuan Jianan Bus Station or Taiyuan Railway Station. Transfer to a bus or train to Pingyao, total travel time is about 1.5 to 2 hours.

By Railway

Take a high-speed train from Taiyuan South Station directly to Pingyao Ancient City Station.

Transportation of Pingyao’s Attractions

Transportation within Pingyao Ancient City

The distance from Pingyao Ancient City to other major attractions

• Pingyao Travel Guide
• Pingyao Attractions
• Jinzhong Travel Guide
• Pingyao Itinerary
• Pingyao Weather
• Pingyao Top 9 Foods