Pingyao
Travel Guide > Asia > China > Shanxi > Pingyao
Introduction
Pingyao (平遥) was the financial centre of China during the Qing dynasty and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following the collapse of the dynasty, the financial centre transferred to Beijing leaving Pingyao in limbo. This had the advantage that the town never became a target for fighting warlords, and as such much of the town is untouched by more modern developments. Chinese people often refer to the town as being "stuck in history".
Sights and Activities
The predominant activity for a tourist in Pingyao is to visit the many museums within the walls. Although tickets are required to gain, they are not available at the museum entrances and must be purchased at the gates entering the old town. A single ticket gains entry to most of the town's museums and is valid for around a week. The cost is around 120 Yuan.
Events and Festivals
Getting There
By Plane
By Train
Pingyao is easiest to reach by train, with overnight services operating from Xi'an and Beijing. From there a taxi should be able to get you to the border of the old town. If sleeping within the walls of the old town, you will probably need to carry your luggage to the guesthouse.
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Getting Around
By Car
Cars are pretty much banned from the centre of the old town and as such the best options are on foot.
By Public Transport
By Foot
The centre is old town is small enough to do this, but comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
By Bike
Money
There are no ATMs inside Pingyao old town, so it is recommended that sufficient money is carried before entering it. However, there is an ATM of the Agricultural Bank of China just outside the southwestern gate.
Eat
There are no Western or fast food options in the old town. However, there are plenty of restaurants serving predominantly noodle-based dishes.
Drink
Sleep
There are only a few guesthouses within the town walls and pricing does tend to put them out of the range of the backpacker. It is however worth the expense to stay in a guesthouse that is around 500 years old and steeped in history.
Budget
- Shanxi Pingyao Tian Yuan Kui Guesthouse is located at No 73 Nan Da Jie (山西平遥南大街73号). This is a nice guesthouse with good rates.
Mid-Range
Upscale
This is version 10. Last edited at 6:03 on May 15, 08 by GeoBot (+55). 3 articles link to this page.
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