Things to Do & Must-See Attractions in Pingyao

The old town of Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Shanxi Province, is often considered the best preserved ancient walled city in China. Founded in the 14th century, the old portion of the city covers 556 acres (225 hectares) that retain many of the features of a traditional Han city during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Construction on the old City Walls of Pingyao began in 1370, and visitors can still walk a 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) road on top of the ramparts to take in some of the best views of the old cobbled streets below. Ming-Qing Street, the main commercial street cutting through Pingyao, is lined with hundreds of traditional courtyard houses, shops and snack stands.