My Grand Tour of China – The walled city of Pingyao – one not to be missed!

From Beijing, we headed to Pingyao, a small Ancient city in the central Shanxi region in China.  It is famed for its well-preserved Ming an Qing urban planning and architecture.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to circa 800 BC and is an AAAAA-rated tourist attraction.

No cars or coaches are permitted within the city walls, so upon arrival, we were transferred to electric vehicles (golf carts) and transported as close as possible to our hotel.

I must admit I had never heard of Pingyao before visiting China but I a so pleased it is part of our Grand Tour as I really felt as if I was in the ‘real China’.

Pingyao served as the financial centre of the region from the 16^th century and of the entire Qing Empire during the late 19^th century.

Pingyao still retains its urban layout from the Ming and Qing dynasties.  The city has over a hundred streets and lanes, lined with close to 4,000 shops and residences, and the streets and storefronts still largely retain their historical appearance.

The city walls of Pingyao were constructed in 1370, and enclose an area of about 2.25 km² (0.87 sq mi).  The town is accessed by six barbican gates, one each on the north and south walls and two each on the east and west walls.  This pattern is said to be similar to that of a turtle or tortoise, (the head, tail and four legs).

Pingyao is a popular destination for visitors and is very busy at the weekends as we discovered.

Hotels have characteristics of ancient architecture and are the 4* ones here are not the same as you may be used to in the larger cities, but they have character and charm.  They are based on a courtyard design so are smaller than most of the hotels we stayed in during our trip and have multiple steps and floor-mounted Chinese door frames.

To get to our hotel we had to negotiate gates across the roads which were to stop the golf cars and anything bigger than a bicycle entering the inner part of the city.  If you had a wheelchair you would need to lift this over the barrier and then negotiate the hotel steps too.

I loved this small hotel which was full of character, and if served wine too!

Once at our hotel, it was a quick change, lunch and then we embarked on a 2.5 hour walking tour.  Pingyao is a fascinating place and whilst the other climbed yet another set of stone steps to take a walk along the city walls,  I meandered down the streets to meet them at the Confucian Temple.

This was built in the early years of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Taizong, considered as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Chinese Emperor.

The original, modest temple was not built as a memorial temple, but rather, was the family temple of Confucius himself.

The present-day memorial temple complex, which is vast, has been damaged and destroyed over the years but was restored and enlarged roughly to its present format during the middle of the 12th century CE.

We have dinner in another hotel with character and one in which we could dress up!  After dinner, a few of us brave girls ventured to the Karaoke bar and sang a few songs.  They were standing in the streets applauding us, we were like royalty of the music world!

I really enjoyed our time in Pingyao and would recommend visiting this walled city.  If like me you have mobility issues, then take it easy, know your limitations and you will enjoy.

More of my adventures next time.

What did you think of my trip to Pingyao?