Pingyao ancient city is a unique ancient town with great humanistic charm, where you can feel the retro humanistic atmosphere. You can stroll through the ancient city and lament the ups and downs of life and historical changes. 1. Introduction to Scenic Spots

The earliest history of the ancient city can be traced back to the Western Zhou Dynasty, with a history of more than 2,7 years. In the early Ming Dynasty, the city wall was built to resist foreign enemies, and in the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi visited the west and built four towers. Today's Pingyao ancient city still retains the appearance of the ancient city 5 years ago, the former "China Wall Street" and now a tourist attraction. In 1997, the ancient city of Pingyao was listed as a world cultural heritage, which is a physical specimen for studying the political, economic, cultural, artistic and religious development of China.

the ancient city is rich in vicissitudes, simple and remote. Its scale is bigger than the Datong ancient city we went to before. If we want to have a deep visit, we suggest staying in the ancient city for 1-2 days. 2. Traffic Guide

The traffic in Pingyao ancient city is very convenient, both in ordinary railway stations and high-speed railway station. If you are a tourist from other provinces, Pingyao County has no airport and needs to fly to Taiyuan first. From Taiyuan, you can take the bullet train or high-speed train to the ancient city, and the time is 3-5 minutes, and get off at Pingyao Ancient City Station. High-speed railway station, the ancient city of Pingyao, is about 7 kilometers away from the scenic spot, and it takes about 15 minutes by taxi.

those who don't want to arrive quickly can take the ordinary train, which takes about one and a half hours, and get off at Pingyao station. Pingyao station is less than 2 kilometers away from the north gate of the scenic spot, and the distance is closer.

self-driving tourists can park their cars in the official parking lot near the entrance of the scenic spot, one at the south gate and one at the north gate; We stopped at the north gate, with plenty of parking spaces, and the visitor center is just outside the parking lot, which is also very convenient.

Parking fee: 1 yuan/car/time, after 12 o'clock in the evening, it is charged for two days (times). 3. Guide to avoiding pits and saving money

Most pits in Pingyao ancient city are at the entrance outside the ancient city, which is easy to reduce the initial impression of tourists on the ancient city. For example, someone will tell you that there are still several kilometers to walk from the parking lot to the scenic spot, and it is recommended that you take their car and spend tens of yuan (or more than 1 yuan) to take the whole family to play. It even deceives tourists that the appointment for entering the city on that day is full and they can't enter the city without a car, which is very outrageous.

and the truth is, it's only a few hundred meters' walk from the visitor center at the entrance to the core of the scenic spot; If luggage is a burden, you can take a shuttle bus to the scenic spot, and only 1 yuan needs one person. If you book accommodation in the scenic spot, you don't have to worry about it. You can let the boss be responsible for helping to transport luggage. It is also ok to make an appointment on the day of the pro-test ticket, and it is not nervous on non-holidays

also, don't believe what the salespeople at the entrance of the scenic spot and the hotels and restaurants in the scenic spot say about how expensive it is to eat and stay in the ancient city. In fact, the management of merchants in the ancient city is very standardized, and the prices of meals and accommodation are within a reasonable range, sometimes even cheaper than those outside the scenic spot (perhaps the competition in the scenic spot is too fierce).

the correct way is to go straight to the ancient city when you arrive, and ignore any sales promotion during the period. After successfully entering the scenic spot, all kinds of pits are less than half; Our experience of playing in the ancient city is still very good. 4. Ticket price

Pass to the ancient city: 125 yuan/person (including 22 scenic spots, including the city wall, county government, Rishengchang, Xietongqing, Confucian Temple, etc.). If you don't go to these small scenic spots and just want to stroll around the streets of the ancient city and have a meal, you can enter the ancient city for free.

It can be purchased on the official platform "Pingyao Ancient City Scenic Area" applet. After purchasing the pass, it is valid for 3 days. Students' ID cards are half price, military officers' ID cards and disability cards are free of charge, and elderly people who have reached the age of 6 can bring their ID cards free of charge.

In addition, tickets for Shuanglin Temple are for 35 yuan/person, and tickets for Zhenguo Temple are for 25 yuan/person. Tickets are valid for one day. Although these two scenic spots are outside the ancient city, it is highly recommended that friends who like quietness and humanity go there. It will be described in detail later.

In addition, the small partners who hold Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai identity cards, including Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple in Pingyao, are free of tickets, and the period of free tickets is until the end of this year. Just make an appointment on the "Tour Shanxi" applet, and you can play unimpeded. 5. Accommodation recommendation

Personally, I recommend living in the ancient city. The biggest advantage is that it is convenient to play, you can go out anytime and anywhere, and go back to your room to rest anytime and anywhere; It is not only convenient to enjoy the night view, but also convenient to avoid the peak passenger flow in the morning and night. The price of accommodation in the ancient city is not expensive, and the characteristic homestay is usually 1-2+/ night; There is also the kind of heatable adobe sleeping platform in Ming and Qing dynasties, which is very interesting for the southern partners to experience. However, there are all B&B inns in the ancient city, and the conditions are uneven. Some rooms are only more than 1 square meters, and some may not have a single bathroom. Therefore, remember to look at the photos when booking, and check out the previous guests' comments.

The ancient city is very large. As for the choice of the location of the hotel, you can take Pingyao Building (location C of the ancient city) as the center, and the closer it is, the more convenient it is. In addition, during holidays, the accommodation in the ancient city will be tight, so it is recommended to book in advance. There are more accommodation options outside the ancient city. Besides B&B and star-rated hotels, it depends on personal habits.

Some homestays are professional, and they also provide maps of the ancient city and discount coupons for some cooperative restaurants in the ancient city. And many homestays in Pingyao ancient city are traditional houses with local characteristics. It is also very good to take photos in the homestay without going out occasionally. 6. Tour route

One-day tour (without going back): Arrive at the scenic spot-Rishengchang-Nandajie (the city building)-Celebrate together-Tongxinggong Escort Agency-Pingyao County Ya-Pingyao Ancient City Wall (Yingxunmen)

Two-day tour D1: Arrive at the scenic spot-Rishengchang- -Night view of South Street

D2: Zhenguo Temple-Shuanglin Temple (see Pingyao again if you like to watch the performance)

Visitors who have a large ancient city of Pingyao and have little time should not blindly visit. In fact, most of the scenic spots and restaurant shops are concentrated at the intersection of South Street/East Street, all the way south to the intersection of South Street/Chenghuangmiao Street. This area is also the most densely populated place for tourists in the ancient city. If you want to stay in Pingyao ancient city for 2-3 days, you can spend some time exploring some alleys; Alleys and houses in non-core areas are often closer to the lives of local people.

you can play with the mobile phone map or paper map in turn, and it is not recommended to invite a tour guide. First, you can travel freely in the ancient city, and there is no need for a tour guide; Second, during the visit, I heard many tour guides explain by endorsement, which led everyone to stay in the scenic spots for a short time. 7. recommendation of scenic spots

even for tourists who want to stay in Pingyao ancient city for 2-3 days, 22 scenic spots can't be visited one by one. Here are some representative ones that you can choose according to your itinerary and visit preferences. Most scenic spots are open from 8: to 18: .

1/ Day _ Chang Bank

One of the most famous banks in Pingyao was founded by Li Daquan, the treasurer, and Lei Lvtai, the shopkeeper, with a capital contribution of 32, silver in four years of Qing Daoguang. Known as the "China's No.1 Draft Bank", it created a financial precedent in China. Therefore, many Shanxi Merchants Museums must mention Ri Chang when they set up exhibitions. After a hundred years of vicissitudes, Japan-Changzhou has achieved brilliant results. Semicolons have spread all over more than 3 cities across the country, as far away as Europe and the United States, and it is known as "Huitong World".

Although Ri _ Chang is not the largest bank in Pingyao, visitors can see the shadow of contemporary banks and appreciate the wisdom of the Chinese nation from Ri _ Chang. Although the diary of Japan _ Chang was very popular at that time, it didn't give people the feeling of extravagance, but it was so elegant and calm that it was very suitable for a glance.

2/ Xietongqing Bank

Xietongqing Bank was founded in Xianfeng six years (1856) and operated for 58 years, during which 33 semicolons were established. This is the largest bank in Pingyao, including seven courtyards and underground vaults. Now the celebration is still China Qianzhuang Museum. The architectural style of Xietongqing is similar to that of other banks in Pingyao ancient city. They are all typical northern courtyards, antique, carved with beams and painted buildings, especially wood carvings and brick carvings. There is no extravagance in elegance, but it reveals the simplicity of Shanxi merchants.

the biggest highlight of visiting the celebration is the vault in the fifth courtyard. This is the largest existing underground vault in China, and the amount of gold and silver it could hold at that time was equivalent to 3 billion RMB now. Even Empress Dowager Cixi used the money in the vault of Xietongqing.

3/ Tongxinggong Escort Agency

The rise of ticket number has promoted the prosperity of Escort Agency. Apart from the ticket number, the most distinctive attraction in Pingyao is the Escort Agency. In the fifth year of Xianfeng in Qing Dynasty (1855), Tongxinggong Escort Agency was founded by Wang Zhengqing Wulin masters who were famous all over the country. At the beginning, it was one of the famous escort agencies in China at that time. The escort agency's business is mainly divided into human escort and material escort. The Wangs used to be Cixi's bodyguard. After successful completion, they got a plaque with blue background and gold paint, which is still hanging in the hospital.

At present, some physical materials about bodyguard activities during the 64 years from its opening in 1849 to its closure in 1913 are exhibited in the Escort Agency. For example, dart boxes, dart carts, weapons, smoking utensils, furniture, woodwork, etc. used in daily life still vividly record the scene at that time, and it seems that they saw the scene of dart masters wandering around and begging for a living at the tip of a knife. In addition, See Pingyao < P > tells the story of Tongxing Escort Agency.

if you have more time, Pingyao ancient city, China Escort Museum, North China First Escort Museum, Huiwulin and other scenic spots are also related to Escort. However, it is slightly repetitive, just look at 1-2 places.

4/ Pingyao Guxian Ya

This is one of the few well-preserved Guxian Ya in China. The main building was shaped in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the earliest preserved building is the Yuan Dynasty. Although the entrance is not too eye-catching, I didn't expect to be suddenly enlightened after entering, and I can't finish shopping in the courtyard one after another. The whole county government covers an area of more than 26, square meters, with a clear and complete division of labor in front of the lobby for trial, followed by the inner residence of the county grandfather, and also the hall for informal narrative. The last entrance is a back garden with a water system, which is rare in Shanxi, which is short of water and makes people shine. In the wing of the back garden, there are also cultural and creative sales in Shanxi.

Every day at 9:3, 11:, and 15:3, there is a trial performance of the county grandfather's ascension to the court. Visitors can participate in it and play a related role, which is very interactive. The daily trial content is different, which is quite a feeling of crossing.

5/ Pingyao Confucian Temple

I didn't plan to go, but it was strongly recommended by the owner of the hotel, saying that it is the oldest temple of Confucian temples at all levels in China.

Pingyao Confucian Temple is located in a very quiet corner of the ancient city. Founded in the early years of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty, its Dacheng Hall was rebuilt in the third year of Jin Dading (1163), and it has maintained its original appearance so far. It is also the only Jin Dynasty building in the national Confucian temple. Pingyao sits north to south, and there are four courtyards in existence. On the central axis, there are buildings such as Lingxingmen, Dachengmen, Dachengdian, Mingluntang, Jingyiting, and Tibetan Classics Pavilion. Dacheng Hall, the main hall of the Confucian Temple, is a legacy of the Jin Dynasty, and it is also the biggest attraction of the whole complex. The main hall is five rooms wide and rests on the top of the mountain with a single eaves. The shop is huge and powerful, and it is a double-legged double-headed shop for the seventh shop, which is made by stealing the heart and not helping the shop.

There is also a newly-built punching street in online celebrity outside the Confucian Temple. When we arrived, there were few people. Interested people can go for a stroll.

6/ Pingyao Ancient City Wall

The Pingyao Ancient City Wall was built in the early Ming Dynasty. The existing Pingyao City Wall, Pingyao Ancient City Wall is one of the four most intact existing ancient city walls in China, with a total length of 6,157 meters and a height of 1 meters. As a county-level city wall, the ancient city wall of Pingyao has survived the ups and downs of history, so far it has been well preserved, which is really a great spectacle.

most tourists will choose Yingxun Gate in the south when they visit the city wall, and they are on their way to Yingxun Gate after visiting the county government or the Confucian Temple. On the Yingxun Gate, you can take a classic view of Pingyao South Street and the city building, and many publicity photos of Pingyao ancient city were taken at this angle. Walking along the city wall at dusk and watching a sunset are also very emotional.

But the biggest bug of Pingyao ancient city wall is that it is not open at night, so it is impossible to go upstairs to see the night view. There is only a light show at 9 pm, so you can stand in the square under the city wall and watch it.

7/ Zhenguo Temple

Many people go to Pingyao Ancient City, but it seems that they have never heard the name of Zhenguo Temple. Zhenguo Temple is a national security hidden by the light of Pingyao ancient town. Although it is not in the ancient city, it is also worth visiting. Zhenguo Temple was founded in the Five Dynasties, formerly known as Jingcheng Temple. It was renamed Zhenguo Temple in Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty, and it is still in use today.

The temple faces south, and the Heavenly King Hall, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall and the Three Buddhas Hall are arranged in sequence along the central axis, and the bell tower and other accessory halls are arranged on the left and right sides. There are colored sculptures in all the temples of Zhenguo Temple, among which the colored sculptures in Wanfo Hall are the most precious.

We were amazed by a colorful sculpture in the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall. The Buddha's face is plump, his body is tall and strong, and his style is similar to that of Tang Dynasty. Although it was refitted by later generations, the figure, clothing, face and bun still retain the charm of the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties. Except Mogao Grottoes, it is the only five-generation painted sculpture preserved in the national temples.

8/ Shuanglin Temple

Together with Zhenguo Temple, Pingyao has a pattern of "one city and two temples". Shuanglin Temple, as the pinnacle of colored sculpture in China, promised me that even if you don't go to the ancient city, you must go to Shuanglin Temple once.

It's hard to find out when the temples were founded. Most of the existing buildings were built in the Ming Dynasty, and most of the statues were works of the Ming Dynasty. There are 11 existing buildings in Shuanglin Temple, including Tang Huai, Song Bei, Ming Zhong, ancient architecture, painted sculptures and murals, all of which are national treasures. The most precious is undoubtedly the 252 painted clay sculptures of the Ming Dynasty all over the temples, forming a colorful and beautiful Buddhist world.

For hundreds of years, these colored sculptures are still colorful; The facial muscles, expressions and gestures are like real people, and even the eyes of the sculpture are made of black glass, which is full of realism. These colored sculptures are against the shackles of ethical codes and regulations, flashing human feelings and secular atmosphere. 8, food recommendation

Pingyao claims to have 18 kinds of snacks, and the catering characteristics are mainly pasta. You can taste most of Pingyao's flavor snacks on South Street.

Pingyao beef: It is available in every restaurant, and it is also the number one specialty of Pingyao. Sliced thin, bright red in color, full of fresh fragrance in one bite, seemingly dull, but actually very tasty; The meat is fat but not greasy, and thin but not firewood.

Pingyao saucer: I have never known what a saucer is. Many food stalls in Pingyao ancient city are selling it, and there are some in restaurants. The bowl holder is actually made of buckwheat noodles, which tastes strange and very tough. Because of its heat clearing and detoxification, it is a must-have food in summer.

Pingyao: What's it? Why are there so many foods with strange names in Pingyao? I ordered a copy, only to know that it turned out that Bangbang is also a local specialty pasta, because it is shaped like a "basket bucket" and is called "Bangbang" by the people. With rich soup, it tastes great and is a solid staple food.

Pingyao vinegar: You can see specialty shops selling vinegar in the streets and lanes, and you can smell vinegar when you walk on the road. The table in the restaurant is also seasoned with vinegar, which smells like honey and red dates. It is the first time that vinegar can make so many "articles".

There are many delicious foods in Pingyao, such as beef copper chafing dish, rotten seeds, cold rice noodles, and red noodles rubbing tips. Seeing is believing, so try it yourself! 9, restaurant recommendation

Raiders including local people have recommended these two: Hongwuji and Tian Yuan Kui. He also said that the local people in Hongwuji will also go to eat, and Yuan Kui is entirely for tourists. Both restaurants occupy the best location, adjacent to each other, near the busiest city building. We both went, and both felt very good. We could eat well at 4-5 per capita.

by the way, Pingyao (including the whole of Shanxi)