Switching from history to modern era, Pingyao clearly reflects the landscapes of past and present. If we assimilate Lijiang with a pure and beautiful maiden, then Pingyao must be a beauty with rich connotation in trouble times. Although the over 2,700 years of history has tested Pingyao, it is still one of the 4 well-preserved ancient towns in China. The buildings of Pingyao are in compliance with the feudal traditional etiquette “Left for Ancestor Temple and Right for Imperial Divine Temple” and Zhu Yuanzhang's policy of "Base Construction Enhancement". The city and big streets and small alleys have formed a large-scale eight trigram pattern. The earliest financial institution - Rishengchang Former Bank is also located in Pingyao. It is exactly that financial authorities of Eight Major Former Banks create the present Pingyao.
With the distance from Beijing of approximately 600km, it will take tourists about 8 hours todrive to Pingyao.
Pingyao Ancient City
Located in Shanxi Province, Pingyao is a famous cultural city with the history of more than 2,700 years. As the nominee of the second batch of National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities, Pingyao has been listed into the “Four Most Well-Preserved Ancient Cities” with other three candidates - Langzhong of Sichuan, Lijiang of Yunnan and She County of Anhui, and is the only ancient county in China that succeeded in declaring the world cultural heritage as a whole city. In the late Qing Dynasty, Pingyao served as the financial center of China. Indulging yourself in this ancient city once prospered, you will appreciate its ubiquitous atmosphere of culture of Shanxi merchants. Transportation has been smoothed by the six gates established in the ancient city. The north gate nears Pingyao Bus Station, while the west gate nears Pingyao Railway Station. The south and west gates gather most of the tourists. It is free to enter Pingyao Ancient City, but if tourists want to go upstairs to the city wall or visit the former banks, it is necessary to buy the through ticket.
Pingyao Ancient Government Office
Hidden in the inconspicuous corner beside Tingyu Tower in the south, Pingyao Ancient Government Office was founded in the Northern Wei Dynasty, being one of the well-preserved ancient government offices existing in China nowadays. The left, right and middle lines have divided the office into three sections. Along the axle wire, yamen, second front door, memorial gate, lobby, main entrance, second hall and inner chamber are orderly arranged from south to north, extending outward to Nanheng Street. Both the architectural layout and functional deployment of the ancient government office symbolize the epitome of the imperial palace. From this position, we can see various ancient documents and punishment implements, which basically preserve the characteristics of government office in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, creating the solemn atmosphere. Guanyun Tower, behind the government office, is the venue for the magistrate to observe the weather in villages at the leisure, which reflects the important role of agriculture in the feudal economy of ancient Pingyao.
The Ming and Qing Street
On the axle wire of Pingyao, main shop remains of the Ming and Qing Dynasties have been completely preserved. As one of the most significant and prosperous commercial blocks, the Ming and Qing Dynasties Street vividly exudes the cultural splendor of the ancient city. With the total length of over 400m, the street has densely accommodated 78 ancient shops, including former bank, money shop, pawnshop, herbal medicine shop, butcher shop, tobacco shop, variety shop and silk and satin store, which cover almost all industries at that time.
