5 Days in Pingyao Trip: Budgets, Hotels, Food & Attractions

Day 1

Pingyao Ancient City

Opening Hours: Open from 10/8-3/31,8:00am-5:30pm;Open from 04/01-10/07,8:00am-6:00pm

Ticket Price: 125 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-3 Days

Location: No. 58 Zhaobi South Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

The Pingyao Ancient City is one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in China and a world cultural heritage site. It used to be China's financial center in the late Qing Dynasty. Now, the streets, shops, and houses in the ancient city still maintain its traditional layout and style. When you enter this once prosperous ancient city, you will be readily brought back to the period when Shanxi's merchant culture was at its peak. With regards to food, the beef of Pingyao is also well-renowned. Towards the end of the Qing Dynasty when Empress Dowager Cixi passed by the ancient city, she loved eatng Pingyao beef.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: Trip.com made getting to Pingyao a breeze! Booking the train and hotel couldn’t have been easier! The taxi information link saved us at the train station! It allowed us to communicate clearly with our cab driver.

Trip.com User: I heard that Pingyao has not snowed so much for a long time. I am really lucky to come to a historic and cultural ancient city of Snow. I will want to come for the second time!

Day 1 | Evening

For convenient access to more popular attractions, Xihe Academy Mansion is the best places.

Xihe Academy Mansion

Opened in 2020, the Xihe Academy Mansion offers travelers a pleasant stay in Pingyao, whether for business or leisure purposes.

From the hotel, Pingyao Railway Station is just 3km away. There's plenty to do nearby, with 協同慶商館, Yingxun Gate and 喬家莊園博物館 all within a short distance.

In their spare time, guests can explore the hotel's surroundings.

When it comes to Pingyao hotels, the Xihe Academy Mansion is highly regarded for its excellent facilities. This hotel is particularly popular with those traveling with families.

Day 2 | Morning

Zhenguo Temple

Opening Hours: Open from 4/1-10/8,8:00am-6:00pm;Open from 10/9-3/31,8:00am-5:30pm

Ticket Price: 25 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

Located in Pingyao County, Zhenguo Temple is one of the oldest wooden structures in China. The area of Zhenguo Temple is not large. Its important building is the main hall on the central axis. It is also called the Wanfo Hall. The overall frame of the hall is tightly structured and exquisitely crafted. It preserves the wooden structures of the Five Dynasties a thousand years ago; in the Wanfo Hall, the statues of the millennium are still colorful, and are the finest in ancient sculpture art. In the Sanfo Hall behind the Wanfo Hall, the walls are filled with murals of Buddhist stories of the Ming Dynasty, which are delicate and vivid.

Day 2 | Afternoon

When time permits after visiting Zhenguo Temple, don’t forget pay a visit to “Seeing Pingyao”.

“Seeing Pingyao”

Opening Hours: Open on Tue-Sun,10:00am-10:00pm;Closed on Mon;Open from 10:00am-10:00pm during Chinese public holidays

Ticket Price: 298 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 1.0-2.0 Hours

Location: No. 154, Shuncheng Road, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

When visiting the ancient city of Pingyao, make sure to watch the large-scale live performance "Seeing Pingyao” in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Seeing Pingyao” tells a story from ancient times. This work by famous Chinese director Wang Chaoge. Unlike other performances in this series, “Seeing Pingyao” takes place at an indoor theater, as the weather in northern China in the winter can be below freezing. Visitors can stay warm and enjoy the performance. "Seeing Pingyao" is very special interactive performance, as the audience is encouraged to freely take part in many of the scenes.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Tim Ip: Great show! Really loved it. Would recommend it again and I would watch it again one day if I have a chance

Day 2 | Evening

Don’t forget to book Pingyao Hotel in advance, because all the tourists head to “Seeing Pingyao” love staying at it.

Pingyao Hotel

The Pingyao Hotel provides a great place for travelers to relax after a busy day. The Pingyao Hotel offers a pleasant stay in Pingyao for those traveling for business or leisure.

The hotel is conveniently located a short 800m drive from Pingyao Railway Station. Famous local attractions Old House of Family Ji, LongXingYuan ShangYe BuXingJie and “Seeing Pingyao”, can all be reached with a short walk.

When guests have some time on their hands they can make use of the onsite facilities. This Pingyao hotel provides parking on site.

Our guests consider this hotel to have excellent service. This hotel is a popular accommodation for guests traveling with families.

Day 3 | Morning

Pingyao Ancient City Wall

Opening Hours: Open from 3/1-10/9,8:00am-6:30pm;Open from 10/10-2/29,8:00am-5:30pm

Ticket Price: 125 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-4 Hours

Location: Within Pingyao Ancient City, No. 58 Zhaobi South Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

A world relic with six gate towers, Pingyao Ancient City Wall is a stately and elegant architectural wonder. Famous for its skillfully crafted defense facilities, made of bricks, compacted earth and stones, the ancient wall was a vitally important part of the security for the cities of Fucheng and Pingyao. A popular destination for vacationing visitors, the beautifully preserved city wall area is now a national treasure, offering evidence of the sophisticated construction techniques of long ago. This is where you can experience the atmosphere of an ancient time with remnants of military structures, from turrets and lookout hideaways to iron cannon and equipment used as protective systems. Also known as Turtle City, symbolizing eternity, Pingyao city houses the thick wall, which looks like the image of a tortoise from an aerial view, with the South Gate resembling the tortoise's head. Taking a stroll on top of parts of the ancient wall, starting at the North Gate, takes you on a peaceful walk with nice views and a perspective of China back in time.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: The night view is beautiful, but the early morning gossip is more elegant and you can walk leisurely ~

Trip.com User: It is very beautiful and must visit place.

Day 3 | Afternoon

After finishing the tour at Pingyao Ancient City Wall, you can head to Shuanglin Temple, the most worth visiting place around the corner.

Shuanglin Temple

Opening Hours: Open from 4/1-10/8,8:00am-6:00pm;Open from 10/9-3/31,8:00am-5:30pm

Ticket Price: 35 RMB

Recommended Length of Stay: 2-3 Hours

Location: Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

Shuanglin Temple is an old temple listed on the World Heritage List along with Pingyao Ancient City Wall and Zhenguo Temple. The sculptures made completely of wood-tire clay in the temple are valuable, integrating the essence of Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties colorful lay sculptures. The Avalokitesvara of the Bodhisattva Temple is of high quality. She sat in front of the green background, and she was graceful and elegant, with a gentle and calm appearance. Each arm is rounded and plump, and the ratio to the body is just perfect. There is no feel of stiff, reaching the harmonious and perfect realm of sculptural art.

Day 3 | Evening

Looking for a bed nearby after finishing your journey at Shuanglin Temple? Yundingxuan Hotel is one of your top choices.

Yundingxuan Hotel

Reviews from Real Guests:

Guest User: The hotel service is warm, the room is clean and hygienic, the guide who helped to call explained in detail, five in five out, deep house compound, must feel the feeling of the compound ! The children have a great time

Guest User: Antique, historical things are different, the largest courtyard house in the ancient city seems to have crossed to that era, it is very convenient to go out in the center of the ancient city, perfect experience

Day 4 | Morning

Rishengchang Former Bank

Opening Hours: Open from 1/1-12/31(Peak Season),8:00am-6:00pm;Open from 1/1-12/31(Off Season),8:00am-5:00pm

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: No. 38 West Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

Rishengchang Former Bank is located in the West Street in the ancient city of Pingyao. At that time, the operation network was almost all over China, and now the Rishengchang Former Bank has become the China Former Bank Museum. Here, some of the physical materials used in the operation were kept, showing the glorious history of the ancient Chinese banking industry. The Rishengchang Former Bank is a high-rise building. In order to prevent theft, there are wire nets on the sky and bells on the nets.

Day 4 | Afternoon

Now we come to another great highlight in the city: Pingyao Ancient Government Office.

Pingyao Ancient Government Office

Opening Hours: 8:00-19:00

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: Middle Section of Jianmen Street, Gucheng, 58 Zhaobi South Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City Within the ancient city of Pingyao, Jinzhong City

Pingyao Ancient County, located in the ancient city of Pingyao, was the official office of the Pingyao County Office. Pingyao County is located in the center of the ancient city. It was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty and is a well-preserved one in China. Whether it is from the layout of the building or the function setting, it is called the epitome of the palace. Here you can see a variety of ancient instruments and a large number of ancient torture tools.

Reviews from Real Guests:

Trip.com User: This museum is one of many very unique museums within the walls of an ancient city. The relics are beautiful and well preserved and the information provided is very interesting if you are into history! Some of the English signs are not accurate at all, but you can still get an idea of what they are trying to say.

Day 4 | Evening

Don’t forget to book the Winners Palace Hotel in advance, because all the tourists head to Pingyao Ancient Government Office love staying at it.

the Winners Palace Hotel

Grand Rezen Hotel Shanxi WanSheng is located in Jinzhong Development Area, 3 km (1.8 mi) from the Yuci Railway Station.

Guests checking in to executive floors can enjoy express check-in and checkout service and free breakfasts, dim sum and concierge services.

Diners will find both Chinese and Western cuisines available, ranging from state banquet to international food. If they are seeking a more intimate space, there are 15 VIP private dining rooms on the second floor.

With a function hall and variously-sized meeting rooms equipped with advanced digital facilities, guests travelling on business enjoy great venues in which to conduct their events. The international conference center here seats up to 800 and is suitable for ceremonies, negotiations, lectures, exhibitions and press conferences.

Day 5 | Morning

Chenghuang Temple

Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 Hours

Location: Chenghuang Temple Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

Chenghuang Temple was founded in the early Ming Dynasty. It is one of the more intact city temples in China. It is a Taoist temple with complete regulations, religion, history and culture, and rich connotation. In addition to the main hall and the palace, it is mainly composed of Liu Cao and land. It consists of four parts: Liucaofu, Tudici, Zaojunmiao and Caishenmiao. The layout of the Chenghuang Temple is regular, hierarchical, magnificent, and unique in style. The functional division of “Before and After Sleeping” is very vivid, reflecting the sturdy atmosphere of the reincarnation and the resurgence of the Tianwang. The glaze on the roof of the temple is even more amazing. It is an outstanding example of the glaze craft in the Qing Dynasty.

Day 5 | Afternoon

Having the chance to enjoy the charming Chenghuang Temple, Temple of Confucius next to it is another great place that you will never want to miss!

Temple of Confucius

Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00

Ticket Price: Free

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-1 Hours

Location: No. 67, Chenghuangmiao Street, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City

The Temple of Literature in Pingyao. It was constructed in the early years of Tang Yiguan, in which Dacheng Hall was remade over three years. It has a hundred years history and is still the same today. It is a very long-standing Confucian temple among the existing Confucian temples at all levels in China. The main ancient constructs in the Pingyao Confucian Temple include Wenchang Pavilion and Stone Archway on the wall. The buildings are simple and elegant. All sorts of stone carvings and wood carvings are finely made and have high artistic and historic value.

* All reviews in the blog are machine-translated.