Pingyao Travel Guide
Positioned in the beautiful Shanxi Province of northern China, Pingyao is an interesting city that played a significant role for economic growth in both the Ming and Qing dynasties.
- Worth It?
- Yes, there are many sights to see.
- What to Do
- check out the amazing historic sites, enjoy the traditional culture and amazing food.
- Best Time to Go
- from June to August is the warmest time of year.
- How Long?
- A few days are sufficient.
- Trivia
- Pingyao was UNESCO World Heritage listed in 1997.
Pingyao and the surrounding region are quite rural with farmland and rolling hills. The Fen River passes by the city, which has been an important water source for centuries. The inner city area of Pingyao still retains the original layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are over 300 historic sites with ancient ruins and more than 4,000 traditional styled houses from the era.
There is a multitude of attractions in Pingyao including the impressive city walls that were constructed in 1370. Numerous temples are found outside the city such as the Shuanglin Monastery, which is famous for having over 2,000 colorful sculptures. Also worth seeing is Qiao's Compound that houses traditional art pieces and architecture.
Travel to Pingyao - Getting There
Pingyao is located around 380 miles northeast of Beijing and has road, rail and air connections with other main cities in China. The nearest airport is in Taiyuan, which is 56 miles away. Flights from Beijing or Shanghai take approximately 1 hour. There are buses and trains leaving throughout the day with the closest railway station being located at Taiyuan.
Pingyao Things to Do
Pingyao Attractions
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