Pingyao: View of the city from the city walls

Pingyao Ancient City Apparently located about 500km southwest of Beijing, this town, which appears in the midst of a tranquil rural landscape, is a walled city that once flourished through trade. Founded in the Western Zhou Dynasty, the city flourished as a trading city, and during the Ming Dynasty, a large city wall was built due to its expansion. The city was famous as a financial center until the 19th century, and traces of this time can still be seen in many places today. However, since the 20th century, the county has had financial difficulties, and redevelopment has not progressed, so people have continued to live in buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the townscape has been preserved to this day. In 1997, this townscape was recognized and registered as a World Heritage Site, and today, it is the best-preserved walled city in the world, attracting many tourists from both within and outside of Japan. In the center of the city is the main street, lined with various restaurants and souvenir shops. In addition, several facilities that allow you to feel the history of Pingyao, mainly former banks and merchants' houses, have been preserved, and you can visit them by purchasing a ticket. Contrary to the main street that has been turned into a tourist spot, when you enter the alleys, you will find that the houses that were once used have been renovated and are still inhabited by local people. There, you can see the image of Pingyao as it would have been in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the connection between the past and the present gives you an indescribable sense of elation. You should definitely visit and experience this feeling that can only be found in Pingyao. Access Railway: Beijing West → Pingyao 12 hours High-speed rail: Beijing North → Pingyao Ancient City 4 hours #0 yen trip February 2025