Pingyao China Travel Guide & Itinerary

I was in China for my birthday in summer, which unfortunately also meant I was traveling during one of the busiest times of the year.

My route was taking me from Inner Mongolia down toward Xi’an, with a few days to spare in between.

I had some physically and mentally challenging things coming up, including hiking Mount Hua, doing the Plank Walk, and spending a week at a kung fu school in Hunan.

So, I started looking for a stopover destination where I could slow down and give my body a chance to rest before I voluntarily subjected it to misery.

Since it was peak travel season, I wanted somewhere less obvious, not completely off the tourist map, just somewhere that wasn’t an instant answer to “What are the top attractions in China?”

That was how Pingyao ended up on my itinerary.

Pingyao at a glance

Located in Shanxi Province, about 600km southwest of Beijing, Pingyao is best known for its exceptionally well-preserved ancient walled city, traditional courtyard houses, historic temples, and, somewhat unexpectedly, its role in the development of banking in China.

The city was founded in the 14th century and expanded and fortified during the Ming dynasty. In 1997, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

UNESCO considers Pingyao an unusually complete example of a traditional Chinese city whose urban layout and architecture developed over more than five centuries.

Best time to visit Pingyao

Pingyao has four distinct seasons, with fairly large differences between summer and winter and noticeable day-to-night temperature swings.

How to get to Pingyao

The easiest way to reach Pingyao is by train. There are two railway stations, so make sure you book the right one:

• Pingyao Ancient City (also called Pingyao Gucheng) Station is the high-speed station, about 9–10 km from the ancient city
• Pingyao Railway Station serves regular trains and is only about 1 km from the old city

💡 “Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station” might sound like it’s the one closest to the ancient city. It’s not.

From Pingyao Gucheng Station, you can take a taxi or local Bus 108 into the ancient city. The journey by car takes around 20 minutes.

There is no airport in Pingyao. The nearest is Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (TYN), roughly 100 km away.

From the airport, you can take a taxi or private transfer to Pingyao, or head to Taiyuan South Railway Station and catch a high-speed train. The train from Taiyuan to Pingyao takes around 30 minutes.

How to get around in Pingyao

Getting around Pingyao is pretty easy because the ancient city is small and most of the historic center is pedestrian-friendly.

Walking is by far the best way to explore. Most of the major attractions are within a short walk of one another, and wandering through the narrow lanes is part of the experience anyway.

The main streets within the ancient city are car-free, which makes exploring on foot much more pleasant since you don’t have to constantly dodge cars.

Electric sightseeing carts operate around the ancient city and can take you between the main gates and walking streets.

For places outside the ancient city, such as Shuanglin Temple, Zhenguo Temple or the high-speed railway station, you’ll need a taxi, DiDi or a local bus.

Another option is to join a guided tour. This can be particularly useful if you’re short on time or don’t want to figure out local transportation yourself.

Pingyao Ancient City attraction pass

Do you need a ticket for Pingyao Ancient City?

Walking around Pingyao Ancient City is free, so you don’t need a ticket to enter the gates, wander the streets, shop, eat or admire the old buildings.

However, you’ll need the Pingyao Ancient City attraction pass to enter most of the major historical sites, including the city wall, Rishengchang Draft Bank, Ancient County Government Office, temples and other museums.

How much is Pingyao Ancient City pass?

The full-price pass is currently RMB 125 and covers 22 attractions. It’s valid for three days, but each attraction can only be visited once, so it’s not an unlimited three-day pass.

💡 The pass does not cover attractions outside the city wall, such as Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple.

Discounted tickets are available for eligible visitors, including students, children, and visitors aged 60 and above. Bring the relevant ID if you’re claiming a discount.

How to get the Pingyao Ancient City attraction pass

You can buy the Pingyao Ancient City attraction pass online or at designated ticket offices in the ancient city.

I booked mine through Trip.com, which was a pretty seamless process.

You get a QR code on your phone immediately, which you simply scan at the entrance of each attraction.

Top 10 things to do in Pingyao

1. Walk around Pingyao Ancient City

The simplest thing to do in Pingyao is also one of the best: walk around.

The ancient city is laid out around a network of historic streets and lanes lined with traditional buildings, shops, residences and courtyards.

You don’t need a detailed sightseeing plan to enjoy this part. Wander along Ming and Qing Street, explore the smaller side lanes and let yourself get slightly lost.

The main streets can feel quite touristy during the day, but wandering away from the busiest areas gives you a better sense of the scale and character of the old city.

2. Walk along the ancient city wall

The Pingyao city wall is one of the main attractions included in the attraction pass, and it gives you a completely different perspective of the city.

The current city wall largely follows the historic defensive layout of the city and is one of the defining features of Pingyao’s UNESCO-listed landscape.

The wall is also a great place for photographs, particularly in the morning or late afternoon when the light becomes softer.

3. Visit Rishengchang Draft Bank

Rishengchang is one of the most interesting places to visit if you want to understand why Pingyao became so important.

Established in the Qing dynasty, Rishengchang is widely recognized as China’s first draft bank, or piaohao.

These institutions allowed merchants to transfer money between different parts of China using drafts rather than physically carrying large quantities of silver.

Rishengchang eventually developed an extensive network of branches and became a major part of the country’s financial history.

Today, it operates as a museum with courtyards and offices that give you a glimpse into how financial transactions worked before modern banking infrastructure existed.

4. Visit the Ancient County Government Office

The Ancient County Government Office, or Pingyao County Government Office, was the administrative and judicial headquarters of the local government.

The large complex includes administrative buildings, courtyards, offices and court-related spaces, giving visitors an idea of how local government functioned during imperial China.

At 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 3:30 PM every day, the site stages a theatrical re-enactment of an ancient court hearing, with each show lasting about 15 minutes.

I deliberately timed my visit around one of the performances. It adds a bit of entertainment to what could otherwise be a very serious-looking collection of old government buildings.

5. See the underground vault at Xietongqing Bank

If Rishengchang shows you how Pingyao became famous for banking, Xietongqing gives you another look at the city’s sophisticated financial industry.

Xietongqing was another one of Pingyao’s major draft banks, established in 1856 and operating until 1913. At its peak, it had 33 branches across China.

The highlight for me is the underground vault. The bank’s courtyard compound contains a network of underground storage spaces that were used to protect its valuables.

6. Explore the other museums and temples

The Pingyao attraction pass covers plenty of smaller museums and temples scattered around the ancient city.

You don’t need to visit all 22 attractions just because your ticket allows it. Pick a few based on your personal interests and wander into the others when you happen to pass them.

That’s more or less how I did it. Here are some of the highlights:

🛕 Temple of the City Gods

Temple of the City Gods (Chenghuang Temple) is a Taoist temple dedicated to the City God, the spiritual guardian of the city.

The complex also includes halls dedicated to the God of Wealth and Kitchen God, along with colorful glazed roofs, murals and an old opera stage.

🛕 Confucius Temple

Confucius Temple (Wenmiao) is dedicated to Confucius and was historically connected to education and the imperial examination system.

The complex includes the impressive Dacheng Hall, which dates back to the Jin dynasty, as well as exhibits about the imperial exams.

🛕 Wentao Fang Ancient Weapons Museum

Wentao Fang Ancient Weapons Museum displays traditional Chinese weapons including swords, spears, axes and other historical arms.

It offers a fun glimpse into China’s military and martial traditions.

🛕 China Armed Escort Agency Museum

China Armed Escort Agency Museum explores the biaoju, or armed escort agencies that protected merchants and their valuables as they traveled across China.

It’s particularly relevant to Pingyao’s history as an important commercial and financial center.

7. Go vinegar tasting

Vinegar is basically a way of life in Pingyao. You’ll smell it throughout the old city, and there are shops selling it practically everywhere, from tiny souvenir bottles to gallon-sized quantities.

Most let you taste before buying, and if straight vinegar sounds too intense, try one of the many vinegar-infused drinks and desserts instead.

Vinegar cola and vinegar yogurt are just two of the more unusual options I came across.

8. Get a traditional massage

After spending all day walking around Pingyao, a traditional massage is a pretty good way to recover. There are plenty of massage shops around the ancient city, and prices are super affordable.

Look out for aged vinegar foot soaks, a local specialty that puts Shanxi’s famous vinegar to yet another use.

9. See Pingyao at night

If you can, stay around until after sunset. Once the lanterns come on, Pingyao’s ancient streets take on a completely different atmosphere, and there are plenty of little bars, cafes and guesthouse lounges where you can stop for a drink.

The old city isn’t exactly a nightlife capital, but it’s a pleasant place to have a cocktail, beer or coffee after a day of sightseeing.

There are also evening performances, including the large-scale production “See Pingyao Again”.

10. Venture beyond the city wall

If you have more than a day in Pingyao, don’t limit yourself to the ancient city. There are several interesting historical sites in the surrounding area that make worthwhile day trips.

These attractions require additional transportation and separate admission fees.

🛕 Shuanglin Temple

Shuanglin Temple is a UNESCO-listed site famous for its incredible collection of more than 2,000 painted clay sculptures, many dating back centuries.

🛕 Zhenguo Temple

Zhenguo Temple, another part of the UNESCO World Heritage property, is known for its Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, which contains some of the oldest surviving wooden structures in China.

🛕 Wang Family Compound

Wang Family Compound is a huge traditional residential complex built by the wealthy Wang family.

Rather than being one single courtyard house, it’s an entire collection of courtyards, lanes and buildings, giving you an idea of how powerful merchant families once lived.

🛕 Qiao Family Compound

Qiao Family Compound is another impressive Shanxi merchant residence, made famous internationally after appearing in the film Raise the Red Lantern.

The complex consists of numerous courtyards surrounded by high walls and is known for its distinctive architecture and intricate decorations.

🛕 Zhangbi Ancient Castle

Zhangbi Ancient Castle is something completely different. This fortified village combines traditional buildings above ground with an extensive network of underground tunnels originally built for military defense.

If you’re into slightly weird historical places, this one is particularly fun to explore.

What to eat in Pingyao

Food is a big part of visiting Pingyao, and Shanxi cuisine is particularly known for noodles, wheat- and oat-based dishes, and its famous aged vinegar.

You’ll encounter all three repeatedly while exploring the old city.

Pingyao beef

Pingyao beef is one of the city’s signature specialties. Traditionally, it’s preserved and eaten as cold cuts dipped into vinegar.

If cold beef isn’t your thing, don’t worry. You’ll also find plenty of other beef dishes around Pingyao, including beef noodles and beef hotpot.

Shanxi aged vinegar

Shanxi is famous for its aged vinegar, and Pingyao finds plenty of ways to use it. You can try vinegar-infused drinks, like cola, or desserts, like ice cream and yogurt.

It’s also commonly served at the table as a dipping sauce or used to season dishes, adding a subtle tang to balance out the flavors.

Youmian kaolaolao

Yóumiàn kaolaolao is a Shanxi specialty made from oat flour dough rolled into little tubes, steamed and served with sauce.

The name is quite a mouthful, but thankfully the actual dish is easier to eat than pronounce.

Pingyao oil tea

Despite the name, Pingyao oil tea, or yóuchá, isn’t really tea. It’s a thick, sweet or savory mixture made from roasted grains and ingredients such as nuts, served hot.

Have it with youtiao, the crispy Chinese fried dough sticks. It’s a much more substantial breakfast than the name suggests.

Pingyao wantuo

Wantuo is a firm, steamed flour-based snack that’s sliced into strips and served cold with vinegar, garlic, sesame, chili and oil.

I tried this noodle salad after walking around in the heat, and the tangy, slightly spicy combination was exactly what I needed.

Cat-ear noodles

Māo’ěrduo, or cat-ear noodles, gets its name from the little pieces of dough that resemble cat ears.

It’s another Shanxi noodle specialty, and I had mine for dinner at the end of a long day exploring Pingyao.

Sea buckthorn drinks or desserts

Sea buckthorn is a tart fruit commonly found in northern China, including Shanxi.

In drinks and desserts, it gives a distinctly sour and refreshing flavor. If you like tart fruit, this one’s worth trying.

Huang mi gao

Huang mi gao is a traditional yellow millet cake made from millet flour.

It’s soft and slightly sticky with a mild sweetness, and is a nice change of pace if you’ve been eating your way through Pingyao’s many savory dishes.

How many days should you spend in Pingyao?

For a quick trip, one full day is enough to see the main highlights.

A one-night or two-night stay gives you a much more relaxed experience.

You can spread the 22-ticketed attractions across more than one day, explore the old streets without constantly checking the time, eat your way through the local specialties and return to the city after dark.

If you have more time, you can also use Pingyao as a base for attractions outside the ancient city, including Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple, both of which are part of the broader UNESCO World Heritage site.

Suggested Pingyao itineraries

1 day in Pingyao

• Morning: Enter through the North Gate and explore the old city on foot.
• Visit Rishengchang Draft Bank and the Ancient County Government Office.
• Rent a traditional outfit, get the full hairdo and makeup treatment, and hire a photographer to follow you around the ancient city, if that’s your jam.
• Afternoon: Walk along the ancient city wall later in the day when it’s cooler.
• Evening: Wander the old city as the lanterns come on and have dinner featuring Shanxi specialties.

2 days in Pingyao

Day 1: Follow the one-day highlights above.

Day 2:

• Take things slower and explore more of the 22 attractions included in the pass, including temples, former banks, merchant residences and other historic compounds.
• Try more local specialties and explore some of the quieter lanes you may have missed on Day 1.
• Afternoon: Visit Shuanglin Temple or Zhenguo Temple if you want to see more of the UNESCO-listed heritage beyond the ancient city.
• Evening: Watch See You Again, Pingyao (又见平遥), a 90-minute immersive performance about the history and culture of Pingyao and the Shanxi merchants.
• Have dinner back in or around the ancient city and enjoy one last nighttime stroll.

3 days in Pingyao

Day 1 & 2: Follow the itineraries above

Day 3:

• Venture beyond Pingyao Ancient City and visit Wang Family Compound, a sprawling former merchant residence known for its enormous scale and elaborate courtyards.
• If you have more time, combine it with Zhangbi Ancient Castle, a small fortified settlement with ancient underground tunnels, temples and other historic structures.
• You can also visit Qiao Family Compound, although I’d pick Wang’s over Qiao’s if you only have time for one.

Where to stay in Pingyao

You can stay either inside the ancient city or just outside the walls.

Staying inside gives you the traditional courtyard experience and puts you in the middle of the action, but can be a little more expensive and less convenient if you have heavy luggage, as cars aren’t allowed on most of the ancient city’s streets.

I stayed at Jiaxin Guesthouse just outside the ancient city, within walking distance of the North Gate.

It worked well for me because I could easily walk into the old city without paying to stay right in the middle of the tourist area.

Here are a few other top-rated options in and around the ancient city:

Budget

• Juxiange Inn
• Pingyao Juxian Pavilion Inn
• Yijingxuan Boutique Inn

Mid-range

• Hampton by Hilton Pingyao Ancient City
• Xingshengjiu Courtyard Hotel

Luxury

• Floral Lux Hotel | Pingyao Gongfu
• Yunjincheng Mansion
• Leisure Hotel Pingyao

FAQs

Is Pingyao Ancient City free to enter?

Yes. You can enter and walk around the historic city without buying an attraction ticket.

The ticket is required for the 22 major attractions inside the ancient city, including the city wall, Rishengchang and the County Government Office.

How long is the Pingyao Ancient City ticket valid for?

The attraction pass is valid for three days from activation, but each of the included attractions can only be entered once.

Can you visit Pingyao as a day trip?

Yes. A full day is enough to see many of the main highlights, particularly if you focus on the city wall, Rishengchang, the County Government Office and a few other attractions.

But staying overnight gives you more time to explore without rushing and lets you see the ancient city after dark.

Which train station should I use in Pingyao?

If you’re taking the high-speed train, you’ll generally use Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station, which is outside the historic center.

Pingyao Railway Station serves conventional trains and is much closer (within walking distance) to the old city.

Is Pingyao worth visiting if I’m not interested in history?

Yes. Although history and architecture are obviously the main draw, Pingyao is also an interesting place to just wander around, photograph, eat and experience.

Additional tips for visiting Pingyao

👉 Don’t buy the attraction pass just because you think you need a ticket to enter the old city — you don’t. If your goal is simply to wander, take photos and eat without visiting any of the museums or temples, you don’t actually need the pass.

👉 If you do buy the pass, plan your sightseeing before entering attractions because you only get one entry to each site. This is especially useful if you are staying for multiple days.

👉 Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. Pingyao is a walking destination and the cobblestones can get super slippery when wet (don’t ask me how I know).

👉 Bring sun protection if you’re visiting during the warmer months. Large parts of the experience are outdoors, and the city wall in particular has little protection from the sun.

👉 Stay until evening if your schedule allows. Pingyao’s appearance changes dramatically after dark, and you don’t need to pay extra to enjoy the atmosphere.

👉 If you are directionally challenged, accept your fate early. The old city has plenty of similar-looking streets and alleys.

Final thoughts

Is Pingyao worth visiting?

Yes, I think it’s seriously underrated.

Whenever I’m on a longer trip around China, jumping from one major attraction to another, I find it easy to feel a little jaded by the crowds and the sheer amount of tourism.

Pingyao was a nice break from that. It’s definitely not secluded, but it’s nowhere near as hectic as China’s biggest names.

The fact that I had never heard of Pingyao before probably helped too, as I arrived with zero expectations, and was pleasantly surprised.

My favorite part is how much there is to see within the ancient city itself, so you can see a lot without even a single taxi ride.

If you’re interested in Chinese history, traditional architecture, old cities or simply want to experience a very different side of China, Pingyao can be an interesting addition to your China itinerary.