Pingyao Ancient City – A Remarkably Well-Preserved County Town

The Pingyao City Wall was initially built during the Western Zhou Dynasty and underwent significant reconstruction in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty. Over the centuries, it has been continually renovated and expanded to form its current scale. The wall is square in plan, with a total perimeter of 6,142.63 meters. It comprises the main wall body, horse-face walls, horse-blocking walls, crenellations, city gates, and the outer defensive structure known as the “moat city.” The city has six “moat cities,” six gates, with one each in the north and south, and two in the east and west. The gates are: Yinxun Gate in the south, Gongji Gate in the north, Taihe Gate in the upper east, Qinhai Gate in the lower east, Yongding Gate in the upper west, and Fengyi Gate in the lower west. Each “moat city” is topped with a tiered, overhanging pagoda-style tower, and originally featured drawbridges.

In the southeast corner, there are Wenchang Pavilion and Kuixing Tower. The city walls stand an average of 10 meters high, with a base width of 8–12 meters and a top width of 2.5–6 meters. The exterior is constructed of blue bricks, while the inner walls are made of rammed earth, with brick paving and drainage on top. Every 50 meters along the wall, there are battlement platforms, totaling 94, including corner towers. The top of the wall features a 2-meter-high horse-blocking wall on the exterior and a lower parapet on the interior. Every 40–100 meters along the outer wall, there are horse-face walls, with a total of 72 enemy towers and 3,000 crenellations. The moat outside the city is deep and 4 meters wide, originally planted with locust and willow trees.

Located in the center of the ancient city, Pingyao County Yamen covers over 26,000 square meters. It was initially built in 1346 during the Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it has undergone periods of destruction and restoration. The yamen is oriented north to south and has a symmetrical layout, consisting of central and east-west buildings. It spans 131 meters east to west and 203 meters north to south, covering an area of 26,600 square meters. The central axis includes the main gate, ceremonial gate, six department rooms, the grand hall, residence gate, two halls, inner residence, and Daxian Tower. To the east are the Land God Temple, Gan Hou Temple, Granary, and Flower Hall. To the west are the prison, supervision hall, and Ten Kings Temple. The building is symmetrical, with a clear hierarchy, and follows traditional layout patterns, combining ceremonial and residential features. It is the most complete and largest surviving example of a feudal county yamen in China, reflecting local architectural characteristics.

Located on Wenchang Street in the southeast corner of the ancient city, Pingyao Confucian Temple was first established during the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenguan period. The complex is connected to the city wall to the south and faces Chenghuang Temple Street to the north, oriented north to south. The layout consists of the Confucian Temple at the center, with the East School on the left and the West School on the right. Along the central axis of the temple are the Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall, Jingyi Pavilion, and Zunjing Pavilion, arranged in six courtyards, covering a total area of 35,811 square meters, with the temple area at 8,649.6 square meters. There are archways on both sides of the temple’s entrance, spanning the street. Dacheng Hall, rebuilt in 1163 during the Jin Dynasty, remains well-preserved with its original appearance. It is five bays wide and eight bays deep, with a single-eave, hip-and-gable roof. Its floor plan, column method, bracket structure, and roof style reflect early wooden architecture. The use of large slanting beams beneath the eaves is a rare feature. It is the oldest surviving temple of its kind in China and the only existing Jin Dynasty Confucian temple.

Located on South Street in Pingyao Ancient City, the Pingyao City Tower spans the length of South Street from north to south. The exact date of its original construction is unknown, but it was refurbished in 1688 during the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi period. Subsequent repairs and renovations took place during the Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, Tongzhi, Guangxu, and Xuantong reigns. At the southeastern base of the tower is a well known as “Jinjing Well,” which is said to have water that appears golden, giving the tower its alternative name, “Golden Well Tower.” During the Qing Dynasty, the “City Tower and Golden Well” were considered one of Pingyao’s top twelve scenic spots.

The Pingyao City Tower faces north and south and has a square footprint, covering an area of 133.4 square meters. It is a two-story, three-tiered eaves building constructed from brick and wood, standing 18.5 meters high. Each side of the building is three bays wide and deep. The tower features a Xieshan-style roof covered with peacock blue, yellow, and green glazed tiles, adorned with glazed ridge decorations and precious pagoda elements. The first floor spans South Street and is open to the north and south, supported by a 0.7-meter high brick base. Four vertical columns extend to the top floor, with brick walls on the exterior and surrounding galleries. Inside the gallery, there are eleven Qing Dynasty repair steles. The eaves below feature interlocking dougong brackets, and the second-floor balcony has a railing supported by five pairs of double-curved brackets. The upper eaves showcase seven pairs of single-curved double-upturned brackets. The front and back eaves have partitioned doors, and the gable walls contain Qing Dynasty murals covering 18.6 square meters.

Situated at No. 11 Shuyuan Street within Pingyao Ancient City, Lei Lutai’s former residence was constructed from the late Jiaqing period to the early Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. It was the residence of Lei Lutai during his later years. The residence is oriented north-south and consists of four interconnected courtyards: the main eastern and western courtyards and their respective side courtyards.

The western main courtyard exemplifies the typical Pingyao layout of “three courtyards and two passageways.” The central axis features the south-facing hall, passageway hall, inner residence gate, and main building, with wing rooms on both sides. Lei Lutai, originally from Xiyao Village (now Longyue Village) in Pingyao, came from a family of merchants. He was shrewd and skilled in business. In 1823, he persuaded Li Daqian, a prominent merchant from Pingyao’s “Xiyucheng” pigment shop, to separate commercial capital from financial capital and establish China’s first private financial institution specializing in foreign currency exchange and loan services, named “Rishengchang Piaohao.”

The Rishengchang Piaohao Former Site is located on the south side of West Street in Pingyao Ancient City, oriented south to north. It includes three courtyards: central, eastern, and western. The eastern courtyard houses the “Meiheju” stove food shop, and the western courtyard is the Rishengzhong Piaohao. All three courtyards were managed by the Rishengchang Piaohao’s owners. The central courtyard features five storefronts and three courtyards, covering over 1,600 square meters. The existing “old site” retains its original layout and decor, showcasing characteristics of Ming and Qing Dynasty commercial architecture with regional features.

The Piaohao was a private financial institution in the Qing Dynasty specializing in silver currency exchange and loan services. Rishengchang Piaohao was the first such institution in China. It originated from the “Xiyucheng” pigment shop. In 1823, Li Daqian, a wealthy merchant from Pingyao’s Xiyao Village, invested and collaborated with General Manager Lei Lutai to transform the pigment shop into a piaohao, naming it “Rishengchang.” The main office was located diagonally across from the original “Xiyucheng” pigment shop, with branches established across the country, engaging in various business sectors.

Located at No. 109 South Street in Pingyao Ancient City, the Baichuantong Piaohao was established in the tenth year of the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty (1860). The key figures behind this financial institution were the Qu family from Qixian County, including Qu Changying, Qu Yuanchao, Qu Yuanzhen, and Qu Yuanluo. The former site comprises a central courtyard facing east, with a three-courtyard layout and an additional north-side courtyard. The main courtyard has a storefront that faces the street, spanning five bays wide and six bays deep, featuring a double-pitched roof and a hard mountain platform structure.

Baichuantong was one of the earliest Chinese piaohao (draft banks) to engage with foreign financial capital and was among the first to use telegraphic transfers. The headquarters was located in Pingyao, with 23 branch offices across the country. The piaohao ceased operations in 1948.

Situated at No. 36 West Street in Pingyao Ancient City, right next to the former site of Rishengchang, Yuitaihou Piaohao faces north and features a three-courtyard layout with an eastern cross-courtyard. Originally a silk and cloth shop run by Hou Yinchang from Beijia Village in Jiexian County, Yuitaihou was officially restructured into a piaohao in the sixth year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1826). It was the second piaohao established in Pingyao, following Rishengchang, with the head manager being Mao Honghuai, formerly the second manager of Rishengchang. The piaohao was later expanded to include Yufenhou, Yushengchang, Xintaihou, and Tianchengheng, collectively known as the “Five Yui Piaohao.” The headquarters was on West Street, with 33 branch offices nationwide. It specialized in currency exchange, deposit and loan services, and agency transactions for merchants, government offices, and individuals. Yuitaihou ceased operations in 1921.

Located on the north side of East Street in Pingyao Ancient City, Qingxu Temple faces south and was originally built in the second year of the Xianqing period of the Tang Dynasty (657 AD), initially named Taiping Temple. In the first year of the Zhiping period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1064), it was renamed Qingxu Temple. During the early Yuan Dynasty, it was renamed Taiping Xingguo Temple, later changed to Taiping Chongsheng Palace, and reverted to Qingxu Temple during the Qing Dynasty.

The temple covers an area of 5,890.9 square meters with a building area of 2,210.2 square meters, featuring a front and back three-courtyard layout. The main structures include a Paifang (archway), Shanmen (mountain gate), Longhu Hall (Dragon and Tiger Hall), Chunyang Palace, Sanqing Hall, and Yuhuang Pavilion. The layout is symmetrical and orderly. The temple houses eight painted clay sculptures from the Yuan Dynasty and over fifty stone tablets from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties.

Located on Chenghuang Temple Street in Pingyao Ancient City, Chenghuang Temple faces south and was originally reconstructed in the 33rd year of the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1554) and later renovated during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. The temple complex is well-preserved and comprises three courtyards, covering a total area of 7,302 square meters. The central axis features a Paifang (archway), Shanmen (mountain gate), Xilou (drama stage), Xian Hall, Main Hall, and the Sleeping Palace. The east and west wings include the Six Cangfu (Six Department Offices) and the Land Deity Shrine.

Flanking the Chenghuang Temple are the Zaojun Temple (Kitchen God Temple) on the left and the Caishen Temple (God of Wealth Temple) on the right. The temple houses over 160 Qing Dynasty murals and statues. The expansive and uniquely designed Chenghuang Temple is a notable blend of ancient administrative and temple architecture styles. It serves as a valuable relic for studying the layout of Pingyao Ancient City, the development of Taoism, and local customs.

Situated 300 meters northeast of the Lower East Gate of Pingyao Ancient City, Huiji Bridge spans the lower reaches of the Huiji River. Known as the “Nine-Eye Bridge,” this multi-arch stone bridge was originally a wooden bridge, reconstructed into a five-arch stone bridge in the 10th year of the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty (1671). By the 36th year of the Kangxi period (1697), it was expanded to a nine-arch bridge. It underwent further repairs during the Qianlong, Tongzhi, and Guangxu periods.

Running north to south, the bridge is 80 meters long and 7.4 meters wide, with arches varying from 4.2 to 4.9 meters in span and piers ranging from 5 to 7 meters in height. The bridge surface is slightly arched, paved with slab stones. The middle five arches are adorned with dragon head and tail carvings on either side, extending about one meter from the bridge walls. Stone carvings on the bridge’s railings and guard posts feature exotic birds, mythical beasts, auspicious flowers, and the characters for luck, prosperity, and longevity. The guard posts are topped with lions, flower buds, and Eight Treasures motifs.

Located 15 kilometers east of Pingyao Ancient City in Haodong Village, Xiangyuan Township, Zhenguo Temple was originally named Jingcheng Temple. It was established in the 7th year of the Tianhui period of the Northern Han Dynasty (963 AD) and was renamed Zhenguo Temple in the 19th year of the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1540 AD). The temple features architecture primarily from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the Wanfo Hall and its interior statues preserving the style from the Five Dynasties period.

Zhenguo Temple faces south and consists of two courtyards, covering an area of 4,500 square meters. The central building is the Wanfo Hall, with the front courtyard housing the Tianwang Hall, Bell and Drum Tower, and Stele Gallery, while the rear courtyard includes the Three Buddhas Hall and side halls for Guanyin and Dizang. The Wanfo Hall is nearly square in shape, with the front and rear eaves featuring doors in the central bays, while the side eaves have windows and the rest are built with thick walls. The eaves columns are embedded within the walls, with 12 columns surrounding the hall, and the eaves are decorated with intricate designs. The hall’s beam framework is exposed and is a six-beam roof structure supported by two columns without gold columns. The central Buddha altar is large, 0.55 meters high, and square in shape, featuring 11 statues of Buddhas, disciples, bodhisattvas, and vajras, all original from the Five Dynasties period. The walls and eye-walls of the hall are adorned with 810 small Buddha figures from the Qing Dynasty.

Situated 6 kilometers southwest of Pingyao Ancient City in Qiaotou Village, Zhongdu Township, Shuanglin Temple‘s founding date is uncertain. Originally named Zhongdu Temple, it is recorded in the Bei Song Dazhong Xiangfu 4th year (1011) stele that the temple was originally built in the 2nd year of the Wuping period of the Northern Qi Dynasty (571 AD). After being destroyed by war, it was rebuilt during the Song Dynasty and renamed Shuanglin Temple, referencing the Buddhist scripture saying “Buddha’s Nirvana at Shuanglin.” The temple was rebuilt several times during the Ming Jingtai, Tianshun, Hongzhi, Zhengde, Jiajing, and Wanli periods, and repaired during the Qing Daoguang and Xuantong periods. Today, most of the remaining structures are from the Ming Dynasty.

Shuanglin Temple is situated on a 3-meter-high earthen platform, surrounded by high rammed earth walls, forming a fortified temple complex with an area of 3,711 square meters. The layout is well-preserved, consisting of two main axes with the main halls located in the west and the monk quarters in the east, arranged in three courtyards. The central axis features the fortress gate, Tianwang Hall, Shakyamuni Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Buddha Mother Hall. The front courtyard includes the Arhat Hall, Dizang Hall, Martial Saint Hall, and Land Deity Hall. The Shakyamuni Hall is flanked by the Bell and Drum Towers. The central courtyard is spacious, with symmetrical halls for the Thousand Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The temple contains 10 halls, filled with statues ranging from large ones over a meter high to smaller ones about a foot in size, totaling 2,052 statues. More than 1,500 of these statues are well-preserved, with the majority from the Ming Dynasty and a few from the Qing Dynasty. The preserved colored sculptures are considered a treasure of Chinese sculpture art, earning Shuanglin Temple the title of “A Treasure House of Eastern Sculpture Art.”

Located at No. 20, North Entrance of South Street, Pingyao Ancient City, Tianjixiang Museum is the only surviving site of Changshengwei, a cross-border trading business in Pingyao. Established in the 22nd year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1896), Changshengwei ceased operations in the 6th year of the Republic of China (1917), operating for 21 years and undergoing two name changes. It was formerly known as Changshengyu and Changshengqing Yanghuo Store.

Situated at No. 18, West Street, Pingyao Ancient City, the Pingyao Ancient Residential Museum was built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty and is located at the former site of the “Yuefenghou” pawnshop. The complex spans over 1,460 square meters and consists of two interconnected courtyards. The northern courtyard faces south and is a typical commercial three-courtyard, four-sided courtyard, with its main gate facing the street. The southern courtyard faces north and is more hidden in a deep alley, composed of a “main courtyard with two wings” plus a rear courtyard, representing a standard residential four-sided courtyard.

The two courtyards are linked by a narrow passage. The layout is unique, with high walls and deep courtyards, showcasing excellent construction and renowned as the “Yuanbao Courtyard.” This residential museum features the distinctive characteristics of Pingyao’s traditional courtyards and highlights the luxurious living environments of wealthy merchants during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Exhibits include details on courtyard layout, construction techniques, carvings, decorative arts, living conditions, and expensive household items. Additionally, the museum offers displays on Pingyao’s local customs and traditions, with performances on three-inch golden lotus shoe making and embroidery.

Founded in September 2002 on the site of the Pingyao Chamber of Commerce, the China Chamber of Commerce Museum features a name inscribed by Jing Shuping, former Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce. The museum vividly presents the history of the Pingyao Chamber of Commerce and its crucial role in advancing modern China’s economic modernization, political democratization, and national independence.

Located in a bustling area of Mingqing Street in Pingyao Ancient City, the China Rare Newspaper Exhibition Hall preserves the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The collection includes over 60,000 types of newspapers, totaling more than 1.1 million copies, and is listed in the Guinness World Records. The collection features rare Qing Dynasty newspapers, a series of publications from the 1950s Cultural Revolution period, significant newspapers from Shanxi and other major events nationwide, as well as international newspapers and ethnic minority publications. Unique newspapers include oversized ones, the smallest ones, the shortest-printed, as well as hand-held newspapers, postcard newspapers, business card newspapers, silk newspapers, cigarette label newspapers, umbrella newspapers, and fan newspapers. The museum has 10 exhibition halls, including themed halls like the Picture Inscription Hall, Pingyao Hall, Shanxi Hall, Turn of the Century Hall, and Hong Kong and Macau Hall.

Situated at No. 109, South Street, Pingyao Ancient City, Baichuantong Jinshang Museum is based on the old residence of the Baichuan Tong Piaohao (a historical pawnshop). The museum comprehensively showcases the development history of ancient Chinese furniture and provides an overview of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture and Jin merchants’ furnishings. The museum is divided into four exhibition areas, distributed across 11 old houses in a four-courtyard layout:

• First Exhibition Area (First Courtyard): Includes two rooms. The first room presents a rich collection of exhibits and information detailing the history of ancient Chinese furniture. The second room features small sculptures that recreate the working scenes of ancient Chinese carpenters, illustrating all processes of woodworking with over twenty different carpenter figures.
• Second Exhibition Area (Second Courtyard): Contains three rooms. The first two rooms offer a detailed categorization of Ming Dynasty furniture, covering various types used in daily life. The third room, in the main hall of the second courtyard, displays Ming Dynasty furniture replicas and museum treasures according to the interior layout of the Ming Dynasty.
• Third Exhibition Area (Third Courtyard): Comprises three rooms. The first two rooms exhibit various types of Qing Dynasty furniture with detailed images and descriptions.

Located on West Street in the ancient city of Pingyao, the Hui Wulin Martial Arts Museum was once the residence of Mr. Wang Lun, a master of Bagua Zhang during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. The museum spans an area of 3,000 square meters and was a venue for martial artists from various regions to meet and exchange skills. Hui Wulin is divided into two parts: the front yard and the back yard. The front yard serves as the exhibition hall, designed in a classic Ming and Qing architectural style with a three-courtyard layout, featuring blue bricks and gray tiles, and a formal, closed appearance. The back yard includes a performance hall and a spacious martial arts training area.

Located at No. 105, South Street in Pingyao Ancient City, the Pingyao Tongxinggong Escort Agency Museum covers approximately 904 square meters. It is a comprehensive museum showcasing original displays and historical materials. Established in the fifth year of the Xianfeng reign (1855) of the Qing Dynasty, the Tongxinggong Escort Agency was founded by the martial artist Wang Zhengqing in response to the booming commercial and banking activities in Pingyao. The agency provided escort services for valuable goods and silver being transported across the country. Its routes extended east to Beijing and Shandong, west to Shaanxi and Gansu, south to Hankou and Changsha, and north to Guihua and Baotou. The Tongxinggong Escort Agency ceased operations in the second year of the Republic of China (1913) after 58 years of operation under the management of Wang Zhengqing and his son Wang Shumao, spanning the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic periods.