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.
Local people play card under the City Wall
Local people play card under the Wall
City Wall of Pingyao
Rickshaw on the City 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.
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