The combined ticket price for Pingyao Ancient City is 125 yuan per person, which allows access to 22 scenic spots within the ancient city, such as the Pingyao County Government Office, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, and Xie Tongqing Bank. The ticket is valid for 3 days, and each scenic spot can only be visited once.
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane: You can first arrive at Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, and then take an airport shuttle bus to Pingyao Bus Station, and then take a taxi to the ancient city.
Train: Pingyao Railway Station is located on the west side of the ancient city, and you can walk to the west gate of the ancient city after getting off the train; Pingyao Ancient City Station (high-speed railway station) is relatively far from the ancient city, and you can take a bus or a taxi to the ancient city.
Internal Transportation
Walking: The streets within the ancient city are relatively narrow and mostly pedestrian streets, so walking is the main way to visit, allowing you to leisurely stroll through various scenic spots and ancient alleys.
Battery Car: If you feel too tired to walk, you can take a battery car, and there are stops on major streets.
Best Tour Route
West Gate (Fengyi Gate) Pingyao County Government Office Rishengchang Exchange Shop North China’s First Escort Agency Qingxu Taoist Temple Xie Tongqing Bank Shilou (City Tower) South Gate (Yingxun Gate) Confucian Temple City God Temple
Scenic Spot Introduction
Pingyao County Government Office
As one of the four well-preserved ancient government offices in China, you can see the office space of the ancient government, prisons, etc. here, and also enjoy the court trial performance staged at regular times, which is very vivid and interesting.
Rishengchang Exchange Shop
It is the first exchange shop in China, founded in the fourth year of Daoguang (1824 AD). At that time, it specialized in deposit, loan, and remittance business, pioneering the Chinese banking industry. Here, you can learn about the ancient financial culture.
Xie Tongqing Bank
It has a grand scale and exquisite architecture. There is a shocking gold vault underground, and you can also experience the “withdrawal” fun and feel the glory of the bank in those years.
Shilou (City Tower)
Located in the center of the ancient city, it is a landmark building of the ancient city. Climbing onto the city tower, you can overlook the bustling street view of the ancient city.
Pingyao Confucian Temple
It is one of the earliest existing Confucian temples in China. The buildings such as the Dacheng Hall are magnificent, and it also treasures many ancient cultural treasures.
Food Guide
Specialty Foods
Pingyao Beef
Features: Its meat is tender, delicious, and nutritious, and has long been famous.
Recommended Store: Guanyun Pingyao Beef (as a well-known brand of Pingyao beef, the quality is guaranteed).
Pingyao Bowl Tuo
Features: It tastes tough and mellow and can be eaten cold or fried hot.
Recommended Store: Dongji Fried Bowl Tuo (there are multiple flavors to choose from, such as spicy, tomato, etc.).
Pingyao Kaolaolao
Features: Made of naked oats flour, with various seasonings and side dishes, it has a chewy texture and a rich flavor.
Recommended Store: Naked Oats Kaolaolao (authentic production process, allowing you to taste the authentic flavor).
Pingyao Long Yam
Features: It can be made into dishes like honey long yam, with a soft and sweet taste and functions such as strengthening the spleen and stomach.
Recommended Store: Jinsheng Lu Food Shop (while tasting long yam, you can also buy some specialty souvenirs).
Pingyao Tofu Pudding
Features: The tofu pudding is fresh, tender, and smooth, and the gravy has a strong fragrance. Adding chili oil, leek flower sauce, and other seasonings gives it a unique flavor.
Recommended Place: Some breakfast stalls within the ancient city can offer relatively authentic tofu pudding.
Food Streets
Ming-Qing Street
There are many restaurants and snack stalls on both sides of the street. You can not only taste various Pingyao specialty foods but also experience the strong Ming-Qing commercial atmosphere.
City God Temple Street
Here, many local traditional snack shops are gathered. While visiting scenic spots like the City God Temple, you can conveniently taste delicious foods.
Accommodation Suggestions
Specialty Inns
There are many quaint inns in Pingyao Ancient City, such as Desheng Lou Inn, Hongshanyi Inn, etc. Most of these inns are transformed from traditional Ming-Qing buildings, allowing tourists to experience the unique charm of living in the ancient city.
Hotels
If you have higher requirements for accommodation conditions, you can choose some hotels outside the ancient city, such as Pingyao Fengyan Jianguo Hotel, which has complete facilities and good service and is also convenient for travel.
Shopping Recommendations
Pingyao Lacquerware
The appearance of Pingyao lacquerware is simple and elegant, and the painting decoration is magnificent, with high artistic and practical value. You can buy some small lacquer boxes, screens, etc. as souvenirs.
Paper-Cut
Pingyao paper-cut has a bold and unrestrained style, simple and exaggerated, with a wide range of themes. You can choose some zodiac paper-cuts, window flowers, etc. as gifts.
