Pingyao Ancient City

UNESCO World Heritage Site (Ancient City Of Ping Yao, 1997); National 5A Tourist Attraction · Pingyao, Shanxi

The best-preserved walled town in China: a Ming and Qing county seat in central Shanxi enclosed by a complete 6-kilometre city wall of 1370, with 72 watchtowers, a gridded plan of grey-brick courtyard houses and shop streets, and temples and government offices still standing. In the 19th century Pingyao was the banking capital of China - the Rishengchang exchange house, founded in 1823, is considered the country's first draft bank. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, the listing also includes the painted sculptures of nearby Shuanglin Temple and the 10th-century hall of Zhenguo Temple. Visitors walk the wall, sleep in converted courtyard hotels lit by red lanterns, and eat Pingyao beef and oat noodles, and in autumn the town hosts international film and photography festivals.

Pingyao Ancient City, Pingyao County, Jinzhong, Pingyao, Shanxi, China

The walled town is open at all hours. Ticketed sites and the wall roughly 8:00-18:30 in summer and 8:00-17:30 in winter. Combined ticket valid 3 days.

Pingyao Ancient City on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos