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The central street of Pingyao Ancient City
Experience well-preserved Ming-Qing architecture, traditional shops, and historic banking culture.
Ming Qing Street, also known as Pingyao South Street, is the central axis of the symmetrical pattern of Pingyao ancient city. It starts from the junction of East and West Streets in the north, reaches Dadongmen Gate in the south. It is the most prosperous commercial center of Pingyao Ancient City in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and it is also one of the essences of Pingyao Ancient City's historical and cultural heritage. The Ming Qing Street is one of the Most Famous Historical and Cultural Streets in China. With a history of 2,800 years, Pingyao Ancient City is one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient cities in China. The road framework in the city is vertical and horizontal, and the four streets, eight alleys and seventy-two dragonflies form a bagua pattern.
Ming Qing Street is sited in the center of Pingyao Ancient Town, Shanxi Province, China. This street, named for the Ming and Qing Dynasties, has been the main commercial avenue in Pingyao for centuries. Hundreds of shops line along this busy street. Most of them were constructed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Also called Nanda Jie or South Street, Ming-Qing Street is home to many one-story courtyard houses and compounds with rooms built around a series of courtyards, and a number of the main tourist sites.
The street has undergone major restoration and its attractions now include hotels offering traditional brick-oven beds, restaurants serving Pingyao famous beef and shops hawking an astonishing array of art wares such as antiques, furniture, ancient coins, Chinese paintings, jade ware, lacquer ware, traditional folk clothing, calligraphy, furniture, calligraphy, specialties and souvenirs. . In the old period, over 700 shops peppered this same street and several remain exactly as they have for centuries.
On this lively street, just shouting to be climbed, is the 18.5-meter high Town Tower – the tallest structure in town, where you’ll want to catch the view of inundating tiled roofs of the entire city when you reach the top.
The former site of Rishengchang, the first bank in China, is located at No.38, West Street of Pingyao Ancient City. Rishengchang was the first financial institution to raise funds and financing, and the former site of the Rishengchang was a landmark building in the glorious history of Shanxi merchants. As an outstanding representative of Shanxi merchants' culture, Rishengchang's architectural style and scale are typical, but it also has its character. The buildings of Rishengchang not only embodies the traditional characteristics of middle Shanxi dwellings, but also absorbs the style of middle Shanxi shops, achieving the harmonious unity of architectural art and use function.
Rishengchang is a privately operated financial institution specializing in the exchange and deposit of loans. The former site of Rishengchang provides valuable physical materials for studying the history of China's banks and financial history. Although Rishengchang's small courtyard can't be compared with the skyscrapers of modern banks, Rishengchang's limited semicolon can't be compared with contemporary financial outlets covering the whole country. Visitors can see the shadow of contemporary banks, appreciate the wisdom of the Chinese nation and feel a spirit of reform.
China Escort Museum is located in the No. 6 South Street, Pingyao Ancient City, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province. At this museum, you can know about the origin, development and operation of Biaoju(ancient escort agency of China). You can know about the most famous escort agencies in China in the Ming and Qing dynasties and the famous people in the escort agencies. You can see the display of the weapons of the escort agencies and know about the stories of the escort agencies to experience the logistics of Shanxi merchants at that time.
Shilou Building, also known as Gold Well Building, is one of the landmarks of the Pingyao Ancient City. Shilou Building is located in the center of Pingyao Ancient City. At the top of the Shilou Building, you can have a panoramic view of the ancient city and surrounding landscapes.
There are dozens of shops of Ming and Qing dynasties at the Ming Qing Street. Most of shops are combined with residence buildings, with shops in front of the residence buildings. Merchants in the past can combine their business and life in the building, which shows the wisdom of the Shanxi merchants.
If you want to experience the characteristic clothing of Shanxi merchants, you can wear the clothes in Pingyao. Wearing the clothes of Shanxi merchants, you can get impressive photos with the architectures and courtyards of Pingyao Ancient City. Walking on the Ming Qing Street and wearing the clothes of Shanxi merchants, you will feel like get back to the glorious time of Shanxi merchants.
At nights, the red lanterns are lightening, which add the cultural atmosphere of the Pingyao Ancient City. Looking at the ancient streets, shops and stepping on the ancient streets, you will feel as if you are walking in history, in movies, and it also like in modern times. With the red lanterns and the lights, the night view of Pingyao Ancient City is charming and gorgeous.
There are also light show in Pingyao Ancient City at 21:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The towers and walls of Pingyao Ancient City will be reflected on the colorful lights with the light show. And the whole architectures and walls look more attractive with the lights. And the whole ancient city looks more spectacular and impressive. The light show lasts for 18 minutes. If you happen to visit Pingyao in Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can watch the light show of Pingyao. The best location to watch the light show of the Pingyao Ancient City is the South Square of the moat.
Recommended China Tour to Pingyao: 11 Days North Ancient Towns Exploration Tour (Destination: Beijing-Datong-Pingyao-Xian-Shanghai)
From $ 395
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