Pingyao Travel Guide - Brief Information on Pingyao

Pingyao is a famous ancient city and Chinese county with a history of over 2,700 years. It is located at the middle part of Shanxi Province, about 100 kilometers away from Taiyuan City, the capital of Shanxi Province. Once a financial center of China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Pingyao is now known for its well-preserved ancient city wall, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pingyao is known as one of the “four best-preserved ancient cities” along with Langzhong City of Sichuan Province, Lijiang ancient town in Yunnan Province, and She County of Anhui Province. Pingyao, formerly called “Gutao”, was firstly established to protect against invaders during the early years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Presently, the city wall, at a length of more than six thousand meters and 12 meters in height, divides Pingyao County into two worlds of totally different styles. Within the city wall, there are the old buildings and streets, shops and markets that have kept the architectural style of Ming and Qing Dynasties. However, the part outside the city wall is called the “new city”, with modern buildings, streets, business centers and department stores. Pingyao is a dream-like destination where the old and modern constructs separate, but enhance each others’ beauty.

Since 2001, Pingyao has successfully held the Pingyao International Photography Festival many times. The award winning works of those festivals often leave China and for exhibition in the United Nations Headquarters, France, India and other regions. Pingyao has already become an acknowledged cultural brand both at home and abroad for its unique cultural and artistic charm.