Pingyao, what to see in the medieval walled city (China)

If in your Trip to china want to visit an example of an ancient city with a long history, one option is visit Pingyao.

It is a small medieval city founded in the year 1300 which maintains an atmosphere that suggests what China was like at the time of Marco Polo.

Surrounded by a wall, Pingyao It is one of the best preserved historical cities in China whose origins of its old neighborhood date back 2.700 years, and which has been declared Heritage awarded by the Asco.

Pingyao is located halfway between Beijing Beijing y Xian, north of the central province of Shanxi, just under 100 kilometers from Taiyun, capital of the province.

Pingyao maintains much of its medieval buildings, from the times of the dynasties Ming y Qing, distributed by its Ming-qing main street and the surrounding streets.

Pingyao Medieval Wall

Without a doubt, the greatest fame of the Pingyao medieval town, in Shanxi province, is due to its perfectly preserved wall, since it almost maintains the initial configuration from when it was built in the 14th century.

La Pingyao Wall has a length of six kilometers and a square shape, with a height of 16 meters, so that it completely closes the old medieval city.

Regarding its large dimensions and robustness, you are guided by the fact that it is 12 meters high and 4 meters wide, with six doors, one on each of the north and south facades, and two on the other two facades, the east and the south. west. It also maintains 72 watchtowers and 3.000 battlements.

It is considered the main of those known as “Three Treasures” by Pingyao.

The first vestiges of the wall date back to the 11th century, although it was during the dynasty Ming, between the 14th and 17th centuries, when for defensive reasons it was completed and closed.

Without a doubt it is a must visit in your trip to Pingyao, because although it does not have the length or height of the Xian ancient city wallIn Pingyao you can better appreciate its majesty as the wall is not integrated into a large city, as is the case in Xian.

Ming-qing in Pingyao

The aforementioned Mingqing Street It has a north-south orientation and divides the ancient city into two parts within the walled area.

 

In the center of the street, and therefore of the city, is the Market Tower, with three floors and 18 meters high.

This tower, which is crossed below by the street layout, is the tallest building in the city.

Although it is known that it was rebuilt in 1688, during the qing dynasty, there is no exact knowledge of when it was originally built.

At walk along Ming-qing street by Pingyao, so called because its history has developed during both Chinese dynasties, you can see a succession of houses with their traditional patios.

These buildings maintain the configuration of the medieval period, with the architectural styles Ming and Qing with wood and stone finishes.

On the main street of Pingyao, and in those surrounding it, there are numerous shops of all kinds, which are a reflection of the flourishing commercial activity that this medieval Chinese city has historically had.

Specifically, there you can visit the Rishengchang, which is considered as China's first bank.

But most of the traditional stores in the Mingqing Street They have been converted into restaurants, small museums and, above all, tourist and imitation shops.

Apart from strolling through the streets of this medieval city, on your trip to Pingyao you can visit some historical buildings,

This is the case of Quiao Family House, from 1756, or the Zhengou and Shuanglin Temples, close to the city and that, together with the medieval wall configure the so-called “Three Treasures” of Pingyao.

La Qiao Family House It is located 40 kilometers north of the medieval city and is famous for being a beautiful example of the typical Chinese architecture, with decorative elements of great interest and the sculptures that can be seen during the visit.

 

Buddhist temples in Pingyao

You will also have the opportunity to make some other visits in the surroundings.

Specifically, you have the opportunity to visit two buddhist temples which, together with the medieval wall, form what are called the Three Treasures of Pingyao.

El Shuanglin Temple is located in the town of Qiaotou, just six kilometers from Pingyao, and originally dates back to the year 500.

This Buddhist temple is part of the cultural heritage that incorporates the declaration of Heritage awarded by the Unesco for Pingyao, and has acquired fame as a “museum of painted sculptures”, as it brings together more than two thousand sculptures.

The other notable Buddhist temple to visit in the around Pingyao is  Zhenguo Temple, which is located 12 kilometers northeast of Pingyao.

pinyaoThe temple occupies an area of ​​11.000 square meters, and was built in the year 963.

El Zhenguo Temple It was remodeled in 1816, during the dQing dynasty.

In its front part, next to the large entrance hall to the temple, you can see a bell tower and a drum tower on the other.

At the back there are two mausoleums, and it is also famous for its colored sculptures.

A third visit in the vicinity of Pingyao is the Qiao Family House, which is located 40 kilometers north of the medieval city.

It is famous for being a beautiful example of the typical Chinese architecture, with decorative elements of great interest, and for the sculptures that can be seen during the visit.

How to get to Pingyao

For travel to Pingyao, you must arrive by plane to the capital of the province, Taiyun, and from there, by bus or train, take the route that separates both cities.

The usual mode of transportation in Pingyao is the motorcycle taxi, type rickshaw Thai, with motor (different from tricycle used by tourists in the hutongs of Beijing).

If you decide to travel to Pingyao, a city that increasingly attracts more tourists, I can tell you that it is a city that has a sufficient supply of hotels where you can stay.