Things to do in Pingyao County

Pingyao Ancient City is an ancient city built in the Ming Dynasty with a very long history. There are many attractions inside, which are well worth visiting, such as Rishengchangji, the Escort Agency, Xietongqing, Ma Family Courtyard, and the county government office where there is a court hearing performance.

The clay Buddha statues at Shuanglin Temple are the most breathtaking part of my experience so far. In many other places, I only see countless small, headless statues. Even the traces left by the densely packed small statues on the stone walls don't reveal the whole picture, and the feeling is more regret than awe. But at Shuanglin Temple, I was constantly moved by the superb skills, imagination, and aesthetic sense of the ancient artisans. The first statue I saw was the Guan Yu Temple. Looking up and around, seeing the complex story-telling images on the walls like a comic strip, I suddenly burst into tears. It was pure emotion; I realized that simple emotion without any negative feelings can bring tears. Later, in front of a Buddha statue, the guide said that people in ancient times would kneel in worship. He suggested I try squatting down to look at the statue. When I squatted down and looked up, the compassionate gaze truly made you believe that the Buddha was listening to the troubles of the people of that time. Beside the main statue were hundreds of small Bodhisattva statues, each one unique, their robes fluttering in the wind, set against a backdrop of mountains and rocks. Every face was so beautiful; my photos couldn't capture its essence.

Half of the main hall is under renovation, but there's still enough space to see the main features. Most tourists rush into Shuanglin Temple and skip this part, so the experience is much better with fewer people. It's a rare Five Dynasties structure in China, a textbook example of the seven-tiered bracket system, a must-see for ancient architecture enthusiasts.

I like it. Pingyao was a discover for me this year. As a foreigner I immersed in this old 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.

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!

Pingyao Ma Family Courtyard: The historical charm of the years In the ancient city of Pingyao, Ma Family Courtyard is like a pearl hidden in the depths of time. Ma Family Courtyard is the former residence of Ma Zhongxuan, a wealthy businessman in the Qing Dynasty. Born into a family of traditional Chinese medicine, his own experience is full of legends. He was smart and studious since childhood. Not only did he pass the imperial examination, his small calligraphy is admirable, but he also inherited the family's medical skills. With his extremely high talent and hard work, he carried forward the family's traditional Chinese medicine, and his noble medical ethics are even more admirable. The courtyard was built during the Tongzhi period, covering an area of ​​about 6,000 square meters and 9 acres. At present, more than 3,000 square meters have been developed. It consists of 3 large courtyards and 6 small courtyards, following the auspicious folk customs of "three, six, and nine" in Pingyao. The 197 houses are cleverly laid out, and the overall bird's-eye view looks like a big "horse". The surname is integrated into the architectural layout, which shows the memory of the family's roots and implies the prosperity of the family business. "Successful at the first sight, a thousand miles a day" seems to be reflected in reality here. The structure of "courtyards within courtyards and doors within doors" is like a maze, giving people endless fun to explore. The existing three-entry courtyard is about 70 meters long from north to south and about 13 meters wide from east to west. The architectural form is roughly the same, with gray tiles and hard roofs. The layout of the main house and the two wings is regular. Although it has gone through years, it is basically intact. Today, the front two courtyards have become the county library, and the backyard is a public property house, but this does not affect its overall charm. It integrates residential architecture, customs and culture, the living of wealthy families, and the rise and fall of merchants. It deserves the reputation of "Pingyao's No. 1 Courtyard". Walking through it, it seems as if you can travel back to the Qing Dynasty and feel the former glory of the Ma family and the profound historical heritage of the ancient city of Pingyao.

The Qiao Family Compound is the former residence of Qiao Zhiyong, a famous Shanxi merchant during the Qing Dynasty. It is hailed as "a shining pearl in the history of northern folk architecture" and is often referred to as "the Forbidden City for the imperial family, and the Qiao Family Compound for folk residences." Built during the Qianlong era, the courtyard with its blue bricks and gray tiles exudes a truly dignified and imposing atmosphere, with every brick and tile reflecting the confidence of the Shanxi merchants over the past century.

"See You Again Pingyao": A thrilling, immersive epic! This wasn't just passive spectatorship, but a true "walk-in" into the story! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ The audience moved through different scenes and spaces, the escorts seemed to brush past them, the shopkeeper's sighs felt close at hand. This unique "walking" viewing experience instantly bridged the centuries of time. The core of the story revolves around "faith" and "bloodline." The tragic sacrifice of 232 Pingyao men for a promise, the obsession with choosing a wife solely to continue the bloodline, the shock and compassion brought by the "bathing" ritual...💧 As the actors' emotional cries echoed through the ancient city, the spirit of the Shanxi merchants and the roots of Pingyao gripped my heart. The visual impact was immense! A farewell amidst a blanket of yellow dust, the vibrant yet tragic procession of selecting a wife, the deeply symbolic "bathing" ceremony... The perfect blend of light, music, and dance vividly portrays the profound spirit of the Shanxi merchants and the tragic sacrifices they endured. 🎭 For 90 minutes, it felt like traveling through time and space, feeling the beating pulse of history in the ancient city of Pingyao. This was more than just a performance; it was a profound realization of integrity, sacrifice, and heritage. "Seeing Pingyao Again" truly lives up to its reputation—it allows you to witness history, loyalty, and even the echoes deep within your own blood. This is a spiritual baptism worth experiencing for all Chinese people! 👍