Written by
Anthony
The Ancient City of Ping Yao, located in Shanxi Province, China, was first established during the Western Zhou period (827–782 BCE) and rebuilt in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty.
It is one of the best-preserved ancient county towns in China and is often called the “Turtle City” due to its unique shape resembling a turtle crawling south.
The city features a vast array of structures, including walls, shops, streets, temples, and residential buildings, all designed in a symmetrical layout.
It is a prime example of a Han Chinese city from the Ming and Qing periods, offering a remarkable insight into the culture, economy, and urban planning of that time.
In 1997, the Ancient City of Ping Yao, along with surrounding sites, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
| Category | Detail | Category | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province | Era | Ming and Qing Dynasties |
| Area | 2.25 km² | Protection Level | World Cultural Heritage |
| Opening Hours | 08:00 AM – 06:00 PM | Approved | December 1997 |
| Approval Authority | State Council of the People’s Republic of China | Attraction Level | National AAAA tourist attraction |
| Ticket Price | Free for general visit; 125 RMB for combined ticket to internal attractions | Historical Designation | Second batch of National Historical and Cultural Cities |
Pingyao Ancient City is located in Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. There are multiple transportation options:
By Air: The nearest airport is Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (about 100 km away). From the airport, you can take a high-speed train (about 30 minutes, ticket price 28.5 CNY) or a bus (about 1.5 hours, ticket price 30-50 CNY) directly to Pingyao.
By Train: Pingyao Station (regular train) and Pingyao Ancient City Station (high-speed train) both serve the city. High-speed trains from Taiyuan to Pingyao Ancient City Station take only 30 minutes.
By Car: From Taiyuan, drive about 2 hours south on the Jingkun Expressway (G5) to Pingyao, or take highways directly from Beijing, Xi’an, and other cities.
By Bus: There are direct buses to Pingyao from Taiyuan, Linfen, and Xi’an, with a travel time of about 2-4 hours.
By High-Speed Train: You can take a high-speed train from Beijing Fengtai or Beijing West stations directly to Pingyao Ancient City Station. The fastest trains take about 3 hours and 18 minutes.
By Air + High-Speed Train: You can fly from Beijing Capital Airport to Taiyuan Wusu Airport (about 1.5 hours), then take a high-speed train from Taiyuan to Pingyao Ancient City Station (30 minutes).
By Regular Train: You can take K603 from Beijing West Station to Pingyao Station, which takes about 11 hours and 39 minutes, offering an affordable option for budget travelers.
By High-Speed Train: There are 13 high-speed trains from Xi’an North Station to Pingyao Ancient City Station daily. The fastest trains take about 2 hours and 21 minutes.
By Transfer Option: If direct tickets are sold out, you can take a high-speed train to Linfen West Station (about 1.5 hours) and then switch to another high-speed train to Pingyao (40 minutes).
By Bus: There are direct buses from Xi’an to Pingyao (about 6 hours), though the high-speed train is the recommended option for speed and comfort.
The nearest airport to Pingyao is Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (TYS), about 100 km away, with a 1.5-hour drive. From the airport, you can travel to Pingyao via:
By High-Speed Train: There is a high-speed train station at the airport, and you can take a train to Pingyao Ancient City Station in 30 minutes (ticket price 28.5 CNY).
By Airport Bus: The airport operates buses to Pingyao Ancient City, with 6 buses daily (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) costing 50 CNY for a 2-hour ride.
By Taxi: Taxis are also available outside the airport, with an estimated cost of 300-400 CNY for a group of 4-5 people.
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Hi there!
Just a quick heads-up — a helpful user named Volker let me know that some of the non-English content on this site may not be accurate.
This site is a one-person project I run part-time. I research and publish all the content myself, and the translations are currently done by machine (Google Translate). Balancing accuracy and accessibility across multiple languages is a real challenge.
If you spot any errors, I recommend switching to the English version using the button at the bottom left. I’ll continue working to improve the translations over time.
I truly appreciate your understanding. And if you have any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment — it means a lot to me.
— Anthony 2025.6.18
