In the city of Pingyao, time seems to stand still, evoking a journey into Ming-era China. During the Ming Dynasty's heyday (1368-1644), Pingyao was one of Shanxi province's three financial hubs, facilitating substantial transfers of wealth across China for banks and the state, leading to incredible prosperity. Today, visitors can still explore some of these original bank buildings. However, the rise of colonial coastal cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong saw them overshadow Pingyao, transforming into major financial centers and diminishing Pingyao's significance.
A visit to Pingyao is a definitive immersion into "old China." Within the shadow of a towering, more than six-kilometer-long city wall, one finds single and two-story black-tiled houses, with only the brightly colored roofs of temples standing out. The square city wall, an original construction from 1370, stretches 6.5 kilometers long and stands ten meters tall.
Noteworthy sights include the centrally located Bell Tower and the Tian Ji Xiang Museum, a treasure trove where visitors can uncover the city's history through paintings, documents, and artifacts. The city's landmark is the Confucius Temple, established in 1163, featuring the world's oldest surviving Confucian hall.
Also preserved is the Rishengchang Bank, founded in 1824 and believed to be one of the world's first banks to use checks.
Since 1997, Pingyao has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
