Pingyao Ancient City – A Remarkably Well-Preserved County Town

Pingyao Anceint City

Pingyao Ancient City (平遥古城), located in central Shanxi Province, is a remarkably well-preserved example of a traditional Chinese county town. Founded during the Western Zhou Dynasty (827–782 BC) and extensively rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty in 1370, Pingyao is often referred to as “Turtle City” due to its turtle-shaped layout, with the city walls forming the shell.

The city is a comprehensive architectural ensemble, including city walls, shops, streets, temples, and residential buildings, covering an area of 2.25 square kilometers. The layout is meticulously symmetrical, with the central axis running along South Street, featuring a traditional feudal pattern: City God Temple on the left, Yamen (government office) on the right, Confucian Temple to the east, and the Daoist Temple to the west. The street pattern inside the city resembles the character “土” (earth), following the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) configuration with four main streets, eight alleys, and seventy-two narrow lanes, forming a unique geometric design. The commercial streets, including South Street, East Street, West Street, Yamen Street, and City God Temple Street, create a “干” (Heaven) character pattern.

On December 8, 1986, Pingyao was designated a National Historic and Cultural City by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Subsequently, on December 3, 1997, it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, alongside nearby Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple. On July 20, 2015, Pingyao Ancient City was officially recognized as a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction, highlighting its significance as a major cultural and historical site.


Table of Contents


Basic Information

Estimated Length of Tour1 day
Ticket PriceThe Ancient City: 125 RMB
Shuanglin Temple: 33 RMB
Zhenguo Temple: 23 RMB
Opening Hours8.00 – 19.00; Last admission: 18.30
Telephone Number0086-0354-5690000
0086-0354-5690075

Location and Transportation

Pingyao Ancient City is located at No. 58, Zhaobi South Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, China. To reach the city, you can take Bus Line 1 or Bus Line 15 and get off at the North Gate (北门) bus stop.


Historical Buildings in Pingyao Ancient City

Pingyao City Wall

Pingyao Ancient City Wall

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.


Pingyao County Yamen

Pingyao Ancient Government Office Building

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.


Pingyao Confucian Temple

Pingyao Confucius Temple

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.


Pingyao City Tower

Pingyao Anceint City Tower Golden Well Tower

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.


Lei Lutai’s Former Residence

Former Residence Of Lei Lutai

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.”


Rishengchang Piaohao Former Site

Rishengchang Former Bank

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.


Baichuantong Piaohao Former Site

Baichuantong Piaohao Former Site In Pingyao Ancient City

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.


Yuitaihou Piaohao Former Site

Yuitaihou Piaohao Former Site In Pingyao Ancient City

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.


Qingxu Temple

Qingxu Temple In Pingyao Ancient City

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.


Chenghuang Temple

Pingyao City God Temple

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.


Huiji Bridge

Huiji Bridge In Pingyao Ancient City

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.


Zhenguo Temple

Zhenguo Temple Pingyao

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.


Shuanglin Temple

Shuanglin Temple Pingyao

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.”


Various Museums in Pingyao Ancient City

Tianjixiang Museum

Tianjixiang Museum In Pingyao Ancient City

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.


Pingyao Ancient Residential Museum

Pingyao Ancient Residential Museum

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.


China Chamber of Commerce Museum

China Chamber Of Commerce Museum In Pingyao Ancient City

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.


China Rare Newspaper Exhibition Hall

China Rare Newspaper Exhibition Hall In Pingyoa Anceint City

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.


Baichuantong Jinshang Museum

Baichuantong Jinshang Museum In Pingyoa Ancient City

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.

Hui Wulin Martial Arts Museum

Hui Wulin Martial Arts Museum In Pingyao Ancient City

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.


Pingyao Tongxinggong Escort Agency Museum

North Chinas Firest Escort Agency Museum

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.


Vlog about Pingyao Ancient City


History of Pingyao Ancient City

Ancient Origins and Early Development

Pingyao, located in Shanxi Province, China, has a history that traces back to ancient times. During the prehistoric period, the area was part of the region known as Tao. In the era of Emperor Shun, Pingyao was under the jurisdiction of Bingzhou, and following the flood control efforts of Yu the Great, it became part of Jizhou.

In the Western Zhou Dynasty, the region was designated as the fief of the “Ru” state, a vassal of Bingzhou. During the reign of King Xuan of the Western Zhou (827–782 BC), General Yin Jifu led a northern campaign against the Xianyun tribes and established military fortifications in the northeastern part of the region. To accommodate the troops, he expanded the city walls to the northwest, marking the beginning of Pingyao’s urban development.

Spring and Autumn to Warring States Periods

During the Spring and Autumn Period, Pingyao was a central city within the state of Jin. In the Warring States Period, it was under the control of the Zhao state.

Qin to Han Dynasties

In the Qin and Han Dynasties, the area was known as Pingtao County and fell under the administration of Taiyuan Prefecture. During the Three Kingdoms period under Cao Wei, it was part of the Xihe Commandery, and later under the Western Jin Dynasty, it was part of Taiyuan Kingdom.

Northern Wei to Tang Dynasties

In 424 AD, during the Northern Wei Dynasty, Pingtao County was renamed Pingyao County to avoid the taboo of Emperor Taiwu’s name. Pingyao City was subsequently relocated due to invasions by the Western Qiang. By the Tang Dynasty, Pingyao had become part of Jiezhou and was briefly occupied by the Turkic forces led by Liu Wuzhou in 619 AD. By 627 AD, Pingyao was under the jurisdiction of Fen Prefecture.

Song Dynasty

In 960 AD, during the Northern Song Dynasty, Pingyao County was attacked and destroyed by the forces of General Li Jixun. The city was later rebuilt. In 1126 AD, the Jin Dynasty’s Left Vice Marshal led an army of 60,000 to attack Pingyao. Despite a long and fierce resistance from the local garrison and residents, the city was eventually captured.

Ming Dynasty

During the Ming Dynasty, Pingyao experienced significant construction and reconstruction. In 1369, a major flood damaged the west city wall. The following year, efforts began to rebuild and expand Pingyao’s city walls, which were completed in 1370. The city’s defenses were continually improved throughout the Ming period. Notable works include rebuilding efforts during the reigns of Emperor Jingtai (1450–1457) and Emperor Jiajing (1522–1566), including adding and repairing defensive towers and gates. In the late Ming period, the city’s walls and fortifications were reinforced to guard against bandit attacks and improve defense.

Qing Dynasty

During the early Qing Dynasty, Pingyao remained a significant trading and administrative center. However, natural disasters, such as earthquakes in 1683, caused considerable damage. Subsequent repairs included extensive work on the city walls and towers, with significant renovations throughout the Qing era. During the reigns of Kangxi (1662–1722) and Qianlong (1736–1795), major restoration efforts were undertaken to fortify the city, including repairing the city gates and walls.

In the 19th century, Pingyao’s importance as a financial center grew with the establishment of the Rishengchang pawnshop in 1823, the first of its kind in China. This period saw significant investment in the city’s infrastructure, including the expansion of defensive works and the construction of new buildings. During the Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864), local officials undertook substantial repairs and fortifications to protect the city from insurgent forces.

Republican Era to Modern Times

In the early 20th century, Pingyao transitioned from an administrative to a more modernized city. The county government was reformed in 1912, and the city began to see the introduction of new schools and industries. However, during the Japanese occupation in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), Pingyao experienced periods of occupation and conflict, with significant damage to the city’s defenses and infrastructure.

Following the end of World War II and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Pingyao continued to face challenges, including a major flood in 1977 that caused extensive damage to the city walls. Efforts to preserve and restore the city began in the late 1970s and early 1980s, leading to Pingyao’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city has since been recognized for its well-preserved ancient architecture and historical significance, with ongoing restoration work to maintain its cultural heritage.

In recent years, Pingyao has continued to attract tourists and scholars, and the city’s historic integrity remains a testament to its rich and varied history, spanning over three millennia.

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