Pingyao Ancient City: A Millennium-Unchanged Legend

Pingyao Ancient City is located in Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, China. In 1997, it was designated as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO and has a history of more than 2,700 years. Pingyao Ancient City is the birthplace of China's first draft bank, 'Rishengchang', and was the financial center of China during the late Qing Dynasty, known as the 'Ancient Chinese Wall Street'. During the Spring and Autumn period, Pingyao belonged to the State of Jin, and during the Warring States period, it belonged to the State of Zhao. The city has largely retained its county town prototype from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with streets and shops full of historical traces, making it a living sample for studying ancient Chinese cities. Pingyao's city walls were built in the third year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty. There are currently 6 barbican gates and 4 corner towers remaining. Except for the collapse of the southern wall section in 2004, most of the walls are well-preserved and are among the larger, older, and more intact ancient city walls in China. Revisiting Pingyao Ancient City after 8 years, Pingyao remains the same. The necessary restorations continue, but what has changed is that this time it seems to have traveled back to the Qing Dynasty, with streets full of modern 'ancient people'. As night falls, the light show in front of the Yingxun Gate welcomes visitors, adding a modern touch to the ancient city of Pingyao.