Things to do in Pingyao County

Worthy of being a Ming and Qing dynasty ancient county town and a World Cultural Heritage site, its biggest highlight is its complete ancient city layout, with four main streets, eight alleys, and seventy-two winding lanes forming a "土" (earth) shaped framework. The streets and alleys resemble the patterns on a tortoise shell. It also features the history of Shanxi merchants' banks and ancient architectural relics.

Shuanglin Temple comprises three courtyards and ten halls arranged in a staggered layout. The temple houses over two thousand painted clay sculptures from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, encompassing round sculptures, suspended sculptures, and wall sculptures, earning it the title of "Oriental Treasure House of Painted Clay Art." Each painted clay sculpture is exquisitely lifelike, especially the Four Heavenly Kings in the Hall of Heavenly Kings, and the Weituo and Guanyin statues in the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas—these are considered classic examples. The sculptures are vividly expressive and remarkably realistic. Unfortunately, the gloomy weather prevented me from fully enjoying them!

Zhenguo Temple is a hidden gem of an ancient temple in Pingyao, not widely known but rich in historical significance. The Wanfo Hall is a rare example of a Five Dynasties wooden structure, over a thousand years old. Its imposing and simple bracket sets, constructed without a single nail, have stood the test of time, making it a living fossil of wooden architecture. The painted sculptures inside retain their original Five Dynasties appearance, with a dignified and weighty style, a stark contrast to the lively Ming Dynasty sculptures of Shuanglin Temple. The temple is serene and quiet, with few tourists, perfect for slowly appreciating the beauty of its ancient architecture. If you appreciate ancient architecture, after visiting Shuanglin Temple, a stopover at Zhenguo Temple offers a unique and worthwhile experience, allowing you to understand the architecture and sculptures of different eras.

On a week day it’s a nice and calming experience. Especially if you bring cards and decide to sit at some of the metal table and chairs to play a card game, with the scenic view of the wall and the ancient city.

The scenery is antique and full of historical charm. There are many scenic spots inside, and I especially recommend the county government office, the security escort agency, and the money exchange. There is also a light show at night, but it gets very crowded on holidays, and the scenic area is probably overwhelmed. You can have to wait for half an hour to get into the county government office.

Pingyao County Government Office (National Cultural Relic) Located in the center of the ancient city, it was first built in the sixth year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1346) and rebuilt in the third year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1370). It is one of the best-preserved and largest feudal county government offices in China, second only to the Neixiang County Government Office in Nanyang. Travel Guide Transportation: Accessible by high-speed rail and bus (buses run every 20 minutes; free for veterans with preferential treatment cards). Ticket Price: 125 RMB for the entire ancient city (free for those over 60 and veterans with preferential treatment cards; no ticket exchange required). Time Spent: 1 hour. Accommodation and Dining: Convenient. If not driving, it is recommended to stay near Pingyao Railway Station, which is close to the ancient city, convenient for transportation, and not far from the other two attractions. Nearby Attractions: Pingyao Ancient City, Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple.

Visiting ancient temples in Shanxi is the only way to truly understand the beauty of clay sculptures. A glance at a thousand years: the painted sculptures of Shuanglin Temple, with their lowered heads and silent expressions, tell the story of human joys and sorrows; the ten thousand Buddhas of Zhenguo Temple stand silently, yet have witnessed the vicissitudes of time.

The Pingyao City God Temple faces south and has three courtyards. On the central axis, there are archways, mountain gates, a stage, a sacrificial hall, the City God Hall, and a sleeping palace. There are also the Six Cao Mansion, the Land God Temple, the God of Wealth Temple, the Kitchen God Temple, etc. "All the gods live in one temple and receive incense together." The Pingyao City God Temple is a Taoist building. It is a complex of buildings that integrate the ancient government office buildings with the temple architectural style. It is a physical relic for studying the layout of the ancient city of Pingyao, the development of Taoism, and folk customs!

The Ma Family Compound is the residence of Ma Zhongxuan, a wealthy merchant in Pingyao during the late Qing Dynasty. Known as the largest compound in Pingyao, it represents the pinnacle of Shanxi merchant mansions in the ancient city. After visiting several grand residences in the ancient city, this place best showcases the grandeur of a wealthy tycoon. The furnishings and wood carvings in each room are ingeniously designed, with exquisite details. Located slightly off the main street of the ancient city, it's less crowded, and although it requires a longer walk, it's well worth the trip.

This bank was once known as the richest bank in China, but now it has been turned into a museum of Chinese banks. The museum is not very large, but it does have many legends, especially the Shenlong Baozhu in the underground money vault. It is full of legends and allegory.