Pingyao City Wall

City Wall of Pingyao in the Ancient City, which is among the "Three Treasures" of the county together with Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple, is rated highest. Although there were repeated renovations, the city wall is still in a very good condition.

With a total length of six kilometers (about four miles), the Pingyao City Wall is about 12 meters (about 40 ft) tall and 3 to 6 meters (about 10-20 ft) wide on top. The wall is of compacted earth covered by bricks and stones. From a bird's eye view the rectangular wall resembles a tortoise.

There are six city gates, one each on the north and south walls, and two each on the west and east walls. The south gate is the head of the tortoise, the two wells outside being the two eyes of tortoise. The north gate, the lowest place of the city, is the tail of tortoise. Traditionally the tortoise was considered a symbol of longevity, so through ancient times the hopes were that the Ancient City would be permanently secure. There are 72 watchtowers on the top of Pingyao City Wall and 3,000 external battlements. It is said that the 72 watchtowers represent 72 people of great wisdom, the 3,000 battlements the 3,000 disciples of Confucius.

South Gate of Pingyao City Wall
 Pingyao City Wall Pictures
Local people play card under the City Wall
Local people play cards under the Wall
Tips: The Ancient City is not very big, so you can take a wonderful rickshaw tour. The Ancient City is a popular destination for visitors, so you can find hotels with good facilities everywhere. Of course, hotels with the characteristics of ancient architecture are recommended, thus you will experience the atmosphere of ancient times. On the Ancient Ming-Qing Street, you can find hotels that must be booked in advance and some local snacks such as Pingyao Beef that has been well-known from the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), and Wan Tuo (a kind of delicious food made of flour).
 

How to get to Pingyao City Wall

1. Take a tourist bus to Pingyao Ancient City from Taiyuan Railway Station at 6:30am.
2. Take a bus from Taiyuan Jiannan Bus Station to Pingyao at 8:00, 8:10, 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning.
3. Take  bullet train at Taiyuan South Railway Station to Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station. Upon arrival, take a taxi to the city wall within 15mins or take bus no. 108 to Beimenkou and then walk to the city wall.
 
Admission Fee Visitors can buy a combo ticket at the cost of CNY 125, covering the admission fee for 22 small attractions including the City Wall.
Free for children under 1.2m (3.9 feet).
 See attractions covered by the combo ticket.
Opening Hours Mar. - Nov.: 8:00 - 18:00
Dec. - Feb.: 8:00 - 17:30

Emplacements on Pingyao City Wall
Emplacements on Pingyao City Wall
A corner of City Wall, Pingyao
A corner of City Wall, Pingyao
 Recommended Guided Tour:
2 Days Pingyao Tour from $309

 Further Reading:
Xi'an City Wall     Nanjing City Wall
- Last updated on Nov. 19, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Pingyao City Wall
Asked by therese from USA | Apr. 17, 2016 06:32Reply
List of places to see with the Rmb 150 Joint Ticket for Pingyao City Wall.
i want to know all the places we can visit with the Rmb150 joint ticket,. i have been looking around and cant see anything :( thank you so much
Answers (1)
Answered by Brian from BRAZIL | Apr. 18, 2016 03:23
10Reply


Hey, with the joint ticket, you can see 20 attractions in the city, such as Ancient Ming-Qing Street, Ancient City Wall, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Baichuantong Exchange Shop, Xietongqing Shop, Tianjixiang Exchange Shop, Yushengchang Exchange Shop, Huiwulin Shop, Yutaihou Shop, Temple of the City God, and Ancient County Government Office.
Asked by Elizabeth from CANADA | Mar. 30, 2016 20:42Reply
I will be arriving to Pingyao by train around 6:0 0 a.m.
Please let me know if the following is doable:
1. hire taxi and go to Wang's or Qiao's compound and the fare?
2. Arrive to one of the compounds around 7:30 and allow for visit 2 to 3 hrs.
3. start going back to PY around 10:30-11:00
4. Arrive in PY around noon time and probably rent a bike and see the City Walls, Ming-Qing Street, and other attractions nearby.
5. Need to catch the train 16:38 from PY Gucheng Railway Station to Xi'an
Answers (2)
Answered by Bill from AUSTRALIA | Mar. 31, 2016 04:45
10Reply


Yes, your plan is basically doable. But the two compounds are about 62 miles (100km) apart, so you need to skip one. You are advised to charter a car to Qiao's Compound, which is nearer to the ancient city. It takes about 40 minutes. The fare may be around CNY 150 for a round trip. After touring around, you may come back to the ancient city. Afterwards, leave it for Xi'an. May you have a great trip!
Answered by Elizabeth from CANA | Mar. 31, 2016 06:35
10Reply


thank you very much...I was torn apart which compound I should see...now I know

thanks
again
Asked by Michael from SWEDEN | Jun. 26, 2015 05:45Reply
When does the attraction close in Pingyao?
We will arriving around 16:00 and want to see some things before dinner.
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry from USA | Jun. 27, 2015 02:31
11Reply


Most attractions in the ancient city close at around 18:30. So you still have some time to tour around before dinner. Even if they close, you can have a stroll along the Ming-Qing Street; there are many traditional architectures there.
Asked by Taras from RUSSIA | Feb. 26, 2015 09:10Reply
Hi! Can I rent a bike to ride on Pingyao City Wall? How much is it? Thanks.
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry from AUSTRALIA | Mar. 02, 2015 19:48
10Reply


Yes, you can. I heard the bike rental fare is CNY5-10 per hour.
Ask a Question
Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
NameCountryEmail