Pingyao City Wall

平遥古城墙

The “Tortoise City” walls, built in 1370 in the third year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming, with brick-faced rammed-earth construction. They are 6.4 km around, with 72 watchtowers and 3,000 battlements. Walk the top for a full view of the Ming and Qing old city.

Pingyao's walls were first built in the reign of King Xuan of the Western Zhou. The surviving walls, enlarged in the third year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming (1370), are brick-faced, about 10 m high, and 6,163 m in circumference. They are roughly square in plan. The south gate is the tortoise's head, the north gate its tail, and the four east and west gates its legs, hence the nickname “Tortoise City.” The 72 watchtowers and 3,000 battlements are said to correspond to Confucius's 3,000 disciples and 72 sages. Together with Xi'an, Jingzhou and Xingcheng, Pingyao's walls are considered one of China's four best-preserved ancient city walls, and they form the core of Pingyao's World Heritage inscription. Wall access points include Yingxun Gate on the south, Gongji Gate on the north and the East Gate (Xiadong Gate). Access is covered by the Old Town combined ticket. You can walk the full circuit in about 1.5–2 hours, or just the south-to-west section (about 40 minutes), which looks down on the rooftops of Rishengchang and the Market Tower. Outside Yingxun Gate, the barbican lines up with the South Street axis and is a classic photo spot. The best times are sunset from the west wall and the lanterns and Market Tower lights after dark. The wall ticket is included in the 130-yuan Old Town pass, valid for three days, and is not sold separately. Tips: the wall is exposed with no shade in summer, so bring water. Some sections have no railing on the inner side, so walk carefully. The wall is closed in rain or snow, and night access usually closes between 18:00 and 19:00.

Pingyao City Wall

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