Pingyao Ancient City (Nan Dajie & Market Tower)

平遥古城

A Ming–Qing commercial street centered on the Market Tower of South Street, lined with remittance houses, escort agencies, pawnshops and time-honored brands. After dark, when the lanterns come on, it is the most lively part of the old city.

Pingyao Ancient City covers 2.25 square km and is laid out in a “土”-shaped street grid. South Street is the central axis. In the Ming and Qing it was called the “first financial street of the Great Qing,” and remittance houses, money shops, pawnshops and silk shops were concentrated here. In the middle of the street stands the Market Tower (Jinjing Tower), 18.5 m high across three stories, which offers a panorama of South Street and is the old town's landmark. West Street has many remittance houses, including Rishengchang and the Xietongqing Money Shop Museum. East Street has the City God Temple and the Confucian Temple. Yamen Street has the county yamen. The southern stretch of South Street has the China Escort Agency Museum, Tongxing Gong Escort Agency and North China's No. 1 Escort Agency. Recommended walking route: Yingxun Gate on the south, South Street, the Market Tower, Rishengchang on West Street, the county yamen on Yamen Street, City God Temple Street, the Confucian Temple, then the East City Wall. A full day takes about 6–8 hours. The combined ticket covers about 22 courtyards. In the evening, when the lanterns on South Street are lit, you can eat Pingyao beef, wantuo (a Shanxi steamed rice-flour dish) and knife-cut noodles at time-honored shops, or see the immersive show Pingyao Impression at the theater outside the old town's West Gate. The show runs about 90 minutes, tickets start at about 238 yuan, and advance booking is required. Motor vehicles are banned in the old town, but you can rent electric scooters to explore it. Entry to the old town is free. The 130-yuan pass is valid for three days. Tips: South Street is extremely crowded on holidays, so visit early in the morning or after dinner. Most old inns are converted courtyard houses, so choose one with heating and a private bathroom. The stone-paved lanes are uneven, so wear flat shoes.

Pingyao Ancient City (Nan Dajie & Market Tower)

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