Meeting Point

Pingyao Hotel inside Pingyao ancient city

Rishengchang Exchange Bank

As the earliest draft bank in China, Rishengchang (means that the shop would be prosperous like the rising sun in Chinese) was established in 1823 during the early Qing Dynasty. No one could have foreseen the exchange shop boomed all the way through the turmoil-filled late period of Qing Dynasty (1840-1911).It was the cornerstone of modern Chinese banking. In particular it illustrates how the Shanxi Merchants made a vital contribution to the development of Chinese trade. Current Western management loves Rishengchang as the shop provides an incarnation of the prudent managing system of Shanxi Commercial Group.

Pingyao Ancient City Wall

The city wall stretches for about six kilometers. The town is protected by a city moat, both three meters(9.6 ft.) deep and wide. Outside the city gate is a drawbridge. Within the city, there are 4 major streets and 8 small streets joined together by 72 lanes. The 3,797 original quadrangle residential houses are all of the same black-colored bricks and gray-colored tiles. Of these, over 400 are still well preserved today.

Ancient Government Office

This well-preserved local building was functioned, once upon a time, as a government office and a court(also known as Xianya in Chinese) for civil disputes. It contains of an executive office, a tax office, a trial hall, and even a prison, to just name a few.

Pingyao Confucian Temple

The delicate Pingyao Confucian Temple should take up 4 tops throughout China. Look at these honorary titles----the one with the longest history among many a currently existing Confucian temples in China, the best-preserved compound of Confucian temples, the one with the largest-scale exhibition of history of imperial examinations (traditional Chinese examination system called Keju in Chinese), the one with the biggest statues of Confucius and his students. So if you got only one Confucian temple to visit, this gorgeous temple in Pingyao is definately your first option.

Temple of the City God

The City God Temple in Pingyao, also known as Cheng Huang Temple to the locals, is one of the most well preserved temples in China. Covering a large area of space(total area of 7,302 square meters), the temple is famous for its long history and unique for its art form.

Ming & Qing Street

Ming and Qing Street, also named “South Street” or “Nan Da Jie”, is one of the essences of the historical heritage in Pingyao, and also the most prosperous part and significant financial center of China in past times, reputed as the “Wall Street of China” during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Ending Point

Pingyao hotel