Pingyao County is located in the center of Shanxi Province. With a long history or nearly 2800 years, its ancient city has not only kept the original look from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but was also listed as a World Heritage Site in 1997. Besides that, Shanxi carries most of the essence of Chinese Civilization from the past five thousand years. From cultural relics and historical sites to architectural achievements, it is a clear demonstration of the brilliance of our ancestors as well as a picture of their life style.
We typically recommend spending at least 3 days in Pingyao. On the first day, you can explore the main attractions within the ancient city, sample Pingyao's local cuisine, and experience traditional paper cutting and the vinegar culture of Shanxi. On the second day, visit Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple. The third day can be dedicated to touring the Wang Family Courtyard. If you're particularly interested in architecture or Buddhism, you might want to extend your stay to explore nearby cities such as Xinzhou, Datong, Shuozhou, and Linfen.
Pingyao City Wall: A symbolic ancient structure where you can get a panoramic view of the old town.
County Government Office (Yamen): One of China's four major ancient government offices, where you can also watch a reenactment of the magistrate's court.
Confucian Temple: Home to the only surviving imperial examination paper of a top scholar in China.
Escort Agency Museum (Tongxinggong Armed Escort Agency|Chinese Armed Escort Agency Museum): Learn about China's ancient logistics system.
Majia Courtyard: Showcasing the architectural style of old Shanxi merchant houses.
Chenghuang Temple: A unique structure combining three temples into one.
Xietongqing Exchange Shop: Visit the underground vault and touch the Dragon Treasure Pillar for good luck.
Rishengchang Exchange House: The first draft bank in China, reflecting the prosperity of the Shanxi merchants.
Ming and Qing Street: The busiest street in Pingyao, marked by the city tower, which is also known for its stunning night views.
Pingyao was once the financial capital of China, holding a similar status in the Qing Dynasty as Wall Street does today. Now, it’s famous for its ancient city walls and beautiful architecture. Pingyao Ancient City is considered one of the best-preserved ancient county towns in China, renowned for its distinctive architecture, including well-preserved Ming and Qing-era buildings, intricate streets, and serene temples. It’s often referred to as the "Museum of Ancient Chinese Urban Planning."
The best time to visit Pingyao is from March to May and September to November, when the weather is mild. In spring, you can enjoy blooming flowers, and in autumn, you can stroll through the colorful ancient city while admiring the historical architecture and stunning Buddhist carvings. Summer tends to attract more crowds due to the Chinese school holidays, and winter in Shanxi can be quite cold. If you're interested, the Pingyao International Photography Festival also takes place around September.
From Beijing: About 4 hours by bullet train.
From Xi'an: About 3 hours by bullet train.
From Datong: About 3 hours by bullet train.
From Taiyuan: About 1 hour by bullet train.
Some must-try local specialties include Pingyao beef, Wantuo (steamed buckwheat cake), Kaolaoao (a type of pasta), Youcha (fried tea), sea buckthorn juice, and traditional copper hotpot.
Pingyao beef, lacquerware, and aged Shanxi vinegar are some of the most popular local specialties that make great souvenirs.