Pingyao Ancient City, one of China's most famous old towns, was first built during the reign of King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty (827-782 BC). Rebuilt and expanded in 1370 during the third year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, it boasts over 2,800 years of history and is the best-preserved ancient county town in China, including its ancient city walls, shops, streets, temples, and residential buildings. The city's shape resembles a tortoise crawling southward, earning it the nickname "Turtle City."

Pingyao Ancient City is an outstanding example of Han Chinese cities during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Strolling the streets, you will find the shops retain their historical appearance, with the layout reflecting the urban planning concepts and forms of the Ming and Qing periods and showcasing the evolution of Chinese architectural styles and urban planning over five centuries. 

The Pingyao Ancient Town is considered a living example for studying ancient Chinese cities, possessing rich and unique value in Chinese architecture, religion, commerce, folk customs, and folk art. Therefore, on December 3, 1997, the Ancient City of Pingyao, along with the nearby Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pingyao Ancient City Facts

In Chinese: 平遥古城

Location: Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province

Area: 2.25 km²

Ticket price: Free admission; combined ticket for all attractions is125 yuan/person

Opening hours: 08:30-18:30 during Peak season (April-October), 08:30-18:00 during Off-season (November-March)

Suggested visiting duration: half day to one day

Brief History of Pingyao Ancient City

In ancient times, the site of Pingyao Ancient City belonged to the ancient territory of Tao. During the reign of Emperor Shun, it was part of Bingzhou. After Yu the Great's flood control efforts, it became part of Jizhou. 

During the Western Zhou Dynasty, it was enfeoffed as the vassal state of “Ru,” under the jurisdiction of Bingzhou. In the Spring and Autumn Period, it belonged to the State of Jin. During the Warring States period, it was part of the State of Zhao. Under the Qin and Han dynasties, it fell under Taiyuan Commandery. In the Three Kingdoms period, it was under the State of Wei, within Xihe Commandery. During the Western Jin Dynasty, it belonged to the Kingdom of Taiyuan. In the first year of the Shiguang era (424) of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Pingtao County was renamed Pingyao County. Consequently, Pingtao City, the county seat, was also renamed Pingyao City.

During the Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns of the Qing Dynasty, Pingyao City thrived as a hub for merchants, wholesalers, transporters, and transit points. Its main streets were lined with shops, and goods flowed continuously from north to south, establishing it as the largest commodity distribution center in central Shanxi. By the 18th year of Jiaqing (1813), Pingyao boasted over 700 merchant houses. 

In the third year of the Daoguang reign (1823), China's first bank, Rishengchang, was established on West Main Street in the ancient city. Subsequently, the number of banks grew to over 20, transforming Pingyao Ancient City into China's financial center.

While the Pingyao merchants created the miracle of Shanxi commerce, they also undertook extensive construction within the city. Grand mansions and courtyard houses were built throughout the ancient city, and public facilities such as market towers, city walls, and temples were repaired with their donations.

The Ancient City Retains Its Ming and Qing Period Layout

Pingyao Ancient City is a vast architectural complex composed of city walls, shops, streets, temples, and residences. The entire city is symmetrically laid out, with the City Tower as the central axis and South Street as the main axis, forming a feudal ritual layout with the City God Temple on the left, the government offices on the right, the Confucian Temple on the left, the Martial Temple on the right, the Taoist Temple in the east, and the Buddhist temple in the west.

The city's street layout is shaped like the Chinese character "土" (earth), and the overall layout follows the principles of the Eight Trigrams of Tai Chi. It comprises four major streets, eight minor lanes, and seventy-two winding alleys, collectively forming a Bagua diagram. South Street, East Street, West Street, Government Office Street, and City God Temple Street form a “干” (gan) character-shaped commercial district.

Shops within the ancient city were built along the streets, featuring sturdy, lofty storefronts adorned with painted decorations beneath the eaves and carved beams. Behind these shops lay residential courtyard houses constructed entirely of blue bricks and gray tiles.

Why It Was So Built

Pingyao Ancient City was expanded and rebuilt upon the foundations of the Northern Wei dynasty's old city during the early Ming dynasty, strongly reflecting the dominant role of traditional Han Chinese ritual systems in urban planning. The city expanded westward and northward while retaining its square form. Each side of the city walls was extended to three li, adhering to the ancient regulation that “the emperor's city measures nine li square, the duke's seven li square, the marquis and count's five li square, and the viscount's three li square.”

The layout of architectural complexes both within and outside the ancient city strictly followed ritual protocols: emphasizing central axes, placing ancestral temples to the left and communal altars to the right, positioning civil and military structures in opposition, and maintaining hierarchical order.

Must-see Attractions in Pingyao Ancient City

Pingyao Ancient City Wall

The Pingyao City Wall, originally constructed during the reign of King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty, was rebuilt in the third year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1370). Through continuous renovations, expansions, and additions across subsequent dynasties, it attained its present scale. The city wall is square in plan, with a total length of 6142.63 meters along its axis. The entire wall consists of the wall body, ramparts, horse-blocking walls, crenellations, city gates, and barbicans.

In addition, the Pingyao city wall embodies traditional culture. The 3000 crenellations and 72 watchtowers on the wall symbolize the 3000 disciples and 72 sages of Confucius when he traveled around the states to teach. It stands as one of China's best-preserved ancient city walls.

Pingyao County Government Office

Located at the heart of the ancient city, the Pingyao County Government Office was first constructed in the sixth year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1346) and rebuilt in the third year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1370). Along its central axis stand the Main Gate, Ceremonial Gate, Six Ministries Office, Grand Hall, Residence Gate, Second Hall, Inner Residence, and Great Immortal Tower.

The eastern side houses the Land God Temple, the Temple of Marquis Zuan, the Grain Office, and the Flower Hall; the western side features the Prison, the Constabulary Office, and the Temple of the Ten Kings. As China's most complete and largest preserved feudal county government office, it offers a comprehensive representation of the grassroots governing structure during the feudal dynasties.

Pingyao Confucian Temple

Located on Wenmiao Street in the southeast corner of Pingyao Ancient City, Pingyao Confucian Temple was first constructed during the early years of the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan era. Its overall layout features the Confucian Temple at the center, flanked by the Eastern Academy to the left and the Western Academy to the right. Along the central axis of the Confucian Temple stand, in sequence: Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall, Jingyi Pavilion, and Zunjing Pavilion—six courtyards in total.

>> Learn more about Confucianism | Religions in China

Pingyao City Gate Tower

Located at the heart of Pingyao Ancient Town, spanning the north-south axis of South Street, its exact founding date remains unknown. This two-story, triple-eaved brick-and-wood structure stands 18.5 meters tall, serving as a street-crossing tower.

Former Site of Rishengchang

Comprising three courtyards—central, eastern, and western—the eastern courtyard housed the “Meiheju” bakery, while the western courtyard served as the Rixin Central Money Exchange. All three were run by the financiers of the Rishengchang (piaoyinchang) bank. Rishengchang holds a significant position in the history of Chinese commerce and finance, and the site provides valuable material for research into the history of these banks and their financial development.

City God Temple

Preserved in its original scale, the central axis features a ceremonial archway, mountain gate, opera stage, offering hall, main hall, and sleeping quarters. The eastern and western side halls comprise the Six Ministries Office and Land God Shrine. Flanking the main temple are the Kitchen God Temple and God of Wealth Temple. The complex houses over 160 Qing Dynasty murals and sculpted statues.

Huiji Bridge

Located 300 meters northeast of the Lower East Gate of Pingyao Ancient City, this multi-arch stone bridge is commonly known as the “Nine-Eyed Bridge.” Construction began in the 10th year of the Kangxi reign (1671). The bridge spans 80 meters in length and 7.4 meters in width. The arch vaults of the central five spans feature dragon heads and tails carved on either side, each extending over one meter beyond the bridge walls.

Zhen Guo Temple

Located in Haodong Village, Xiangyuan Township, 15 kilometers east of Pingyao Ancient Town, Zhen Guo Temple was first built in 963. Most of the existing structures reflect Ming and Qing dynasty styles, while the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall and its colored sculptures preserve the original appearance from the Five Dynasties period.

Shuanglin Temple

Situated north of Qiaotou Village, Zhongdu Township, 6 kilometers southwest of Pingyao Ancient City, the founding date of Shuanglin Temple remains unconfirmed. The existing structures are mostly Ming Dynasty relics, including the Fortress Gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Hall of Sakyamuni, Great Hero Hall, and Hall of the Buddha Mother. 

The temple is filled with statues, totaling 2,052, of which more than 1,500 are intact. The temple is home to over 1,500 well-preserved painted sculptures, representing the quintessence of Chinese painted sculptures and known as the "treasure house of oriental painted sculpture art."

>> Related reading: Best Chinese Dynasties in Ar

>> Recommend Pingyao Tours

2 Days Pingyao Highlights Tour

3 Days Pingyao Tour to Mianshan Mountain

Night Shows in the Ancient City of Pingyao

Pingyao 3D Light Show

As the sun sets and night falls, the high-tech Pingyao 3D Light Show invites you to experience the beauty of Pingyao Ancient City after dark. This 18-minute spectacle unfolds along a timeline of human history—from the dawn of civilization, through the turbulent era when earthen walls were built to fortify the city, to the transition of ramparts into brick walls, and finally to the magnificent panorama of modern Pingyao—vividly showcasing the millennia-long evolution of this ancient town.

So Real Pingyao National Immersive Experience Center

Located at No. 209 West Street within the Pingyao International Arts Center complex, this venue blends education with entertainment, integrating history, culture, appreciation, time travel, research, and hands-on experiences. It ranks among the top things to do for families traveling Pingyao with kids. 

Cultural Events to Experience in Pingyao

Pingyao Chinese New Year

The Pingyao Chinese New Year event has been held annually in Pingyao Ancient City from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month to the 16th day of the first lunar month since 2006, featuring a new theme each year.

Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival

Initiated by renowned Chinese director Jia Zhangke and led by Artistic Director Marco Müller, this annual event in Pingyao Ancient City aims to strengthen connections and collaboration between Chinese cinema and filmmakers from non-Western and developing nations. With the special authorization of film director Ang Lee, the film festival is titled "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

Pingyao International Photography Festival

The Pingyao International Photography Festival (PIP) began in 2001 and is held annually. Each edition features hundreds of outstanding photographers and photography institutions from China and around the world. International photography masters such as Marc Riboud (from France), Henri Cartier-Bresson (from France), Sebastião Salgado (from Brazil), Susan Meisels (from USA), and Martin Parr (from USA), have exhibited in Pingyao. Photography agencies including Magnum Photos, Contacts (USA), National Geographic (USA), Paris Match (France), PHOTO magazine (France), and National Geographic (Germany) have also hosted exhibitions and events in Pingyao.

>> Related reading: Top Destinations in China for Photographers

Best Time to Visit

Pingyao Ancient City has a temperate continental semi-arid monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. July is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 24.50℃; January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of -5℃. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons to visit Pingyao, when the weather is mild, the scenery is beautiful, and it's ideal for outdoor activities and photography.

How to Get to Pingyao Ancient City

Getting to Pingyao

By plane: Generally, you first fly to Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, and then transfer to a long-distance bus or high-speed train from Taiyuan to Pingyao.

By train: Pingyao Railway Station is located on the west side of the ancient city, only 300 meters from the northwest corner of the ancient city. Pingyao Ancient City Station (high-speed rail station) officially opened in July 2014, so you can reach Pingyao Ancient City from Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hohhot, Lanzhou, and other cities by high speed train.

Transportation in Pingyao

1. From Pingyao Railway Station, take bus No. 1 to the North Gate of Pingyao Ancient City. From Pingyao High-Speed Railway Station, take bus No. 108 to the South Gate of Pingyao Ancient City (approximately 25 minutes). From Pingyao Bus Station, you can walk to the North Gate of Pingyao Ancient City. You can also take a taxi to the ancient city; it's very convenient.
2. Electric sightseeing vehicles are available within Pingyao Ancient City. The fare is CNY 10 yuan per person.

Where to Stay in Pingyao Ancient City: Hotels

You can choose to stay overnight inside Pingyao Ancient City, where there are distinctive hotels and inns. It's recommended to book hotels in the core areas around the South Street and or the Yamen, including hotels like Dejuyuan, Pingyao Guild Hall, and Pingyao Grand Theater.