From Wikitravel

Pingyao (平遥; Píngyáo)is a small city whose old town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

[edit] Get in

Pingyao has no airport. The closest major city is Taiyuan, two hours by train to the northwest. You can catch a train to here from Wuhan, Chengdu, Datong, Zhengzhou, Xi'an and Beijing. All of these trains are overnight trains. Buses run to Xi'an and takes 6 hours, half the time of the train.

[edit] Get around

The Old City is small enough that you can do most locations by foot. But if you need to cross town between attractions, or are simply lazy, you can hire golf carts that wander the streets. Pay around ¥5 for a ride if a single person, around ¥15 for four people. It is also possible to rent bikes for ¥10 per day.

[edit][add listing] See

The main attraction in Pingyao is the Old City. This area is surrounded by a large wall. Admission to any of the 30 attactions inside the city, and the city wall, is a flat fee of ¥120. This ticket is good for two days, but the second day needs to be validated in the first afternoon. This can be done at the booth near Yamen Gate.

• Town Building/Bell Tower
• City Walls
• Rishengchang Financial House Museum
• Former Residence of Lei Lutai
• Shuanglin Si Temple - about 5km southwest of the city. This is a beautiful temple and a nice quite place compared to Pingyao. There a lots of scupltures in different condition. Entry fee included in Pingyao ticket, or ¥25.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Visit during the Lantern Festival to see the town decked out in red lanterns.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Most of the Ancient City, at least the areas near the major attractions and the West Gate, are lined with shops that cater toward tourists. Standard Chinese bric-a-brac is for sale, at relatively high prices. This includes antiques although an alert shopper should beware of the preponderance of forgeries. Bargain hard and keep an eye out for stalls that sell handmade crafts right in the places where they make them. The city makes excellent cloth shoes, which you will see the locals wear as they march up and down the dusty streets.

Pingyao also has a large lacquerware manufacturing industry.

[edit] Money

There's an ATM of the Agricultural Bank of China a few meters out of the south-western gate of the Ancient City. Foreign Maestro cards accepted (checked on August 2006).

[edit][add listing] Eat

Pingyao's speciality is Pingyao Beef. It has an acquired, strong taste. Be careful in some of the more touristy restaurants: outrageous bills of Y100 or more are not uncommon for a meal that appeared to be quite cheap. Be sure to ask about the price of any chef's specialities, and take a look at the bill as you are ordering your food.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Chinese beer, what else? There aren't too many clubs or bars, but you can sip a brew until midnight at many guesthouse restaurants. A place of particular interest to Westerners is Sakura, situated in the centre of the East/West street. Western food, music and drinks are available at a reasonable price.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

The Ancient City is full of guesthouses with Ming/Qing style beds. These are flat beds with ornate headrests that sit close to the ground. On the main street these beds can go for as much as Y400. Poke around backstreets and this price can easily quarter.

Fancy, Western-style accodmation tends to be located outside the Ancient City Wall.

• Harmony Guesthouse, 165 Nan Dajie, (harmonyguesthouse@asia.com). Expect to pay about Y40 for a dorm bed, and between Y80-120 for a private double.  edit
• Yamen Hostel, affilated with Hostelling International, [1]. Expect to pay about Y35 for a dorm bed, and maybe Y80 for a double. Discounts for HI members.  edit
• Zhengjia Hostel, Yamen St. 68 (in the Old City). Is a great place for rest. Gives a good atmosphere with a very friendly staff. Free internet access and laundry service. Breakfast included and Wi-Fi on rooms., [2]. Rooms average 160 (single) to 240 (triple).  edit

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