Pingyao is one of China's three well-preserved ancient cities (the other two are Xi'an and Jingzhou). Located in the middle of Shanxi Province, 90 kilometers south of Taiyuan, Pingyao City is about two hours drive from the capital of Shanxi Province. With the completion of a free way construction, the distance will be shortened by one hour and ten minutes drive only. With a history of over 2,700 years, the ancient city stands out as the best preserved of all the walled cities in China. On December 3,1997, UNESCO added Pingyao into the 'World Heritage List' as a world's culture heritage. According to the UNESCO's World Heritage Commission, Pingyao ancient city is a marvelous example of Chinese Han cities during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Pingyao ancient city has preserved all its features, which unfolds an outstanding Chinese historical development in terms of its culture, socienty,economy and religion.
Qing and Ming Street
Ancient Qing and Ming Street ,with a length of 440 meters, used to be the commerical center of Pingyao ancient city. The traditional and orderly-located shops of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are still well preserved. The cross-street Town House, is the highest building of the city (18.5 meters high). On its top, you can take a whole view of the Ming¡ªQing Street.
City Wall
First built about 2,700 years ago, the ancient city wall was expanded in the Ming Dynasty. It was the most well-preserved wall among the ancient historical and cultural cities in China. It is square, 10 meters high, 5 meters wide, and 5.4 kilometers in circumference. There are 72 terraces with battlements. A bird's-eye view of the city, the wall looks like a turtle, hence the name 'Turtle City'.
Exchange shop
Ri Sheng Chang was established in the early Qing Dynasty. It was China's forerunner for organizing Chinese early finance system, handling remittance, money exchange, deposit, loan and other financial business. There were 35 branches in China's big and medium-sized cities. Its business covered Europe, America and Southeast Asia.
Town God's Temple
The Town God's Temple was first built in the Northern Song Dynasty.
It was twice reestablished because of the two fire disasters in 1544 and 1859.
The Town God's Temple and the County Office are symmetrical, the south street as their axis of symmetry. The Town God's Temple is made up of Liucaofu, Tuditang, Zaojunmiao and Caishenmiao, and it is preserved well now.
The Town God's Temple has rich intension of history and culture. Here, the Buddhism, the Taoism and the residential customs have combined to one.
The buildings of the Town God's Temple are very meticulous and exquisite. It shows us the wealth of the Shanxi businessmen at that time.
Qiao Family¡¯s Compound
Built in 1755, this well-preserved and exquisite structure used to be the residence of Qiao Zhiyong, who was a famous businessman during the Qing Dynasty. Covering an area of 8,725 square meters, the Qiao Family¡¯s Compound includes 6 big courtyards, 19 small courtyards, and 313 rooms. Now it has become the Jin and Shang Culture Museum, which is reputed as a bright pearl of North China¡¯s residental architecture.
Wang¡¯s compound
Wang¡¯s compound is located some 150 kilometers (93.2 miles) south of Taiyuan. The construction lasted for more than half a century and the building extended over an area of 31,956 square meters (7.9 acres), four times the size of the Qiao compound. Consisting of 54 courtyards and 1,052 rooms, the Wang compound is the epitome of Oriental domestic architecture.
The Wang business enterprise commenced during the Ming Dynasty and was a flourishing conglomerate by the middle of the Qing Dynasty, encompassing farming and commerce as well as politics. The mansion witnesses the glory of this powerful family.
Zhengguo Temple
The Zhenguo Temple is 12 km east to the county proper. It was first built in 963. The whole temple sits against north and faces south.
There are 13 halls and more than 10 huge figures of Buddha in the temple. The mountain gate and the Tianwang hall combine into one. The Wanfo Hall is the main hall of the temple and it is the earliest wood structure in China. In addition, the colored clay figurines and frescos in the temple are of high art value.
