Historic site · SHANXI · UNESCO
Pingyao Ancient City
平遥古城 · Píngyáo Gǔchéng
About
UNESCO-listed Ming-Qing walled town in central Shanxi — the most completely preserved old walled city in China. 6 km of intact city wall.
Pingyao is the most completely preserved Ming/Qing walled city in north China. The 6 km wall is fully intact. The town's grid of grey-tile-roof courtyard houses, narrow lanes and Confucian-era architecture earned it UNESCO listing in 1997. Pingyao was the financial capital of imperial China in the late Qing — the Rishengchang exchange shop, founded 1823, was effectively the first Chinese bank, and several banking heritage museums are now in restored former banks.
How to get there
HSR Beijing/Taiyuan to Pingyao (3h/30 min).
When to visit
April–May, September–October. Stay overnight in a courtyard guesthouse.
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