Things to do in Pingyao County

We came to Pingyao as a stop off on the way to Xi’an from Beijing. We didn’t book a guide, just thought we’d explore and that turned out to be perfect for us. We spent one full day exploring the streets, attractions, the wall and the many shops and restaurants. We also caught the evening light show which was a highlight. A great day and well worth the visit.

Red walls and ancient courtyards, a tranquil Buddhist sanctuary. Free from the hustle and bustle of commerce, only vibrant colorful sculptures remain, depicting the spirited Weituo and the serene Guanyin. This is a treasure trove of ancient temples in Shanxi that you shouldn't miss.

Half of the main hall is under renovation, but there's still enough space to see the main features. Most tourists rush into Shuanglin Temple and skip this part, so the experience is much better with fewer people. It's a rare Five Dynasties structure in China, a textbook example of the seven-tiered bracket system, a must-see for ancient architecture enthusiasts.

I like it. Pingyao was a discover for me this year. As a foreigner I immersed in this old city.

The scenery is antique and full of historical charm. There are many scenic spots inside, and I especially recommend the county government office, the security escort agency, and the money exchange. There is also a light show at night, but it gets very crowded on holidays, and the scenic area is probably overwhelmed. You can have to wait for half an hour to get into the county government office.

Pingyao County Government Office (National Cultural Relic) Located in the center of the ancient city, it was first built 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). It is one of the best-preserved and largest feudal county government offices in China, second only to the Neixiang County Government Office in Nanyang. Travel Guide Transportation: Accessible by high-speed rail and bus (buses run every 20 minutes; free for veterans with preferential treatment cards). Ticket Price: 125 RMB for the entire ancient city (free for those over 60 and veterans with preferential treatment cards; no ticket exchange required). Time Spent: 1 hour. Accommodation and Dining: Convenient. If not driving, it is recommended to stay near Pingyao Railway Station, which is close to the ancient city, convenient for transportation, and not far from the other two attractions. Nearby Attractions: Pingyao Ancient City, Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple.

Visiting ancient temples in Shanxi is the only way to truly understand the beauty of clay sculptures. A glance at a thousand years: the painted sculptures of Shuanglin Temple, with their lowered heads and silent expressions, tell the story of human joys and sorrows; the ten thousand Buddhas of Zhenguo Temple stand silently, yet have witnessed the vicissitudes of time.

The Pingyao City God Temple faces south and has three courtyards. On the central axis, there are archways, mountain gates, a stage, a sacrificial hall, the City God Hall, and a sleeping palace. There are also the Six Cao Mansion, the Land God Temple, the God of Wealth Temple, the Kitchen God Temple, etc. "All the gods live in one temple and receive incense together." The Pingyao City God Temple is a Taoist building. It is a complex of buildings that integrate the ancient government office buildings with the temple architectural style. It is a physical relic for studying the layout of the ancient city of Pingyao, the development of Taoism, and folk customs!

The Ma Family Compound is the residence of Ma Zhongxuan, a wealthy merchant in Pingyao during the late Qing Dynasty. Known as the largest compound in Pingyao, it represents the pinnacle of Shanxi merchant mansions in the ancient city. After visiting several grand residences in the ancient city, this place best showcases the grandeur of a wealthy tycoon. The furnishings and wood carvings in each room are ingeniously designed, with exquisite details. Located slightly off the main street of the ancient city, it's less crowded, and although it requires a longer walk, it's well worth the trip.

This bank was once known as the richest bank in China, but now it has been turned into a museum of Chinese banks. The museum is not very large, but it does have many legends, especially the Shenlong Baozhu in the underground money vault. It is full of legends and allegory.