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平遥Northern China37.20° N · 112.18° E
A complete Ming and Qing walled town of courtyard homes, old banks and temples in Shanxi. Here is what to see, where to stay and how to fit it in between Beijing and Xi'an.
Pingyao is one of the best-preserved walled towns in China. Its walls, rebuilt in the early Ming dynasty, still circle a grid of grey-brick lanes, shopfronts, temples and courtyard houses that look much as they did in the Qing dynasty. In the 19th century Pingyao was a centre of Chinese banking, and the old draft banks, along with the town and two outlying temples, were inscribed by UNESCO in 1997.
Inside the walls, life goes on among the sights, with families living in courtyard homes and small shops on every lane. Many visitors sleep in a restored courtyard guesthouse, which is part of the charm. Pingyao sits on the high-speed line through Shanxi, making it an easy stop between Beijing and Xi'an, and a good base for the grand merchant family compounds and the painted sculptures of Shuanglin Temple.
Our Pingyao journeys are private and tailor-made, usually one or two nights linking Beijing or Datong with Xi'an by high-speed train.
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The experiences our travellers enjoy most, in order of what we would not miss.
The wall runs about 6 km around the old town, with watchtowers and gates. Walk part of it early for views over the rooftops before the day visitors arrive.
Widely regarded as the first draft bank in China, which let merchants send money across the country with paper drafts. The courtyards and offices explain how it worked.
A large Qing-era government compound of courtyards, a courtroom and a prison, giving a clear picture of how a county was run. It is one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in China.
About 15 minutes outside town, this temple holds around two thousand painted clay figures from the Song to Qing dynasties, many of remarkable quality. A highlight for art lovers.
A quiet temple whose Ten Thousand Buddha Hall dates from the 10th century, one of the oldest surviving timber halls in China, with fine early sculptures inside.
The Wang Family Compound and Qiao Family Compound, each about an hour away, show the vast homes of Shanxi's merchant families, with hundreds of rooms and carvings.
In the evening the red lanterns come on along the main streets. Walk the quieter lanes, too, where courtyard doors and old signs are softly lit.
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Customise My TripLocal specialities worth seeking out, and when the locals eat them. Your guide will know the best places to try each one.
Add a food experience →High-speed trains reach Pingyao from Taiyuan in about 30 to 40 minutes, from Xi'an in about 3 hours and from Beijing in around 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Taiyuan Wusu Airport is about 1.5 hours away by road. Cars stay outside the old town, so expect a short walk or cart ride to your hotel.
The old town is compact and best explored slowly on foot, especially early and late.
Best for: Old townNeeded for the temples and family compounds outside the walls; included on our journeys.
Best for: Day tripsPlaces that pair well with Pingyao, with approximate travel times.
April to May and September to October are the most comfortable months, with mild days and clear skies more likely. Autumn also brings the Pingyao International Photography Festival in many years. Summer is warm but pleasant in the evenings, while winter is cold and quiet, with lanterns and festivities around Chinese New Year. Avoid national holidays, when the town is packed.
A general guide. Weather varies from year to year, and we plan each route around the season.
Quick answers from our local team. Anything else, just ask your travel specialist.
Ask us on WhatsAppYes, for anyone interested in old China. It is one of the few walled towns where the whole historic layout survives, with real families still living inside. The main streets are commercial, but early mornings, the wall and the temples outside town are memorable.
One night is enough to walk the wall and see the old banks and government office. Two nights lets you add Shuanglin Temple and one of the merchant family compounds without rushing, and gives you a quiet morning in town.
High-speed trains stop at Pingyao Gucheng station, about 15 minutes by road from the old town. The journey from Xi'an takes about 3 hours, and from Beijing around 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on the train. Your driver meets you at the station.
Walking into the old town itself is open, but a combined ticket is needed for the wall and most of the historic sites inside, such as the draft bank and the government office. It is usually valid for several days. Your guide arranges this for you.
Inside the walls, ideally in a restored courtyard guesthouse. Rooms can be simple and some have traditional brick beds, but the setting is the reason to come. We help you choose one that matches your comfort level. Staying inside the walls also means quiet early mornings in the lanes.
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