West city walls at night
T plus 6 - Pingyao
First, a little background about this historic place (and UNESCO World Heritage site):
Pingyao was a city which flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties, about 700 years ago. Unlike most other ancient cities in China (or indeed the world), most of Pingyao's architecture from this "golden age" is largely intact, including its fabulous 12m high wall which surrounds the entire city (6km circumference). Pingyao was also China's principal financial centre during the late Qing dynasty, and its banks had branches all over the country!
Ok, here are the highlights.
Pingyao at night
T plus 6 - Pingyao
First, a little background about this historic place (and UNESCO World Heritage site):
Pingyao was a city which flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties, about 700 years ago. Unlike most other ancient cities in China (or indeed the world), most of Pingyao's architecture from this "golden age" is largely intact, including its fabulous 12m high wall which surrounds the entire city (6km circumference). Pingyao was also China's principal financial centre during the late Qing dynasty, and its banks had branches all over the country!
Ok, here are the highlights.
Pingyao at night
Outside the West Gate
South Gate lit beautifully at night. Like a postcard.
Section of the wall on the South-end
Pingyao in the daytime
Ok, Pingyao can be nice in the day too, if you look past the hordes of (local) tourists and never-ending souvenir shops. Finding a good spot to take photos can be tough as you're constantly being jostled around by the crowds while trying to avoid being run-over by locals on bikes and trikes.
Shops below the City Tower, centre of Pingyao
View of the South Gate in the daytime
Rooftops of Cheng Huang Temple
Incredible colours in Cheng Huang Temple. The chair was painted maybe 7 months ago. The temple was done 700 years ago. Zero restoration to its paintwork (except the words on the black vertical columns).
How phenomenal is that?
How phenomenal is that?
Again, zero restoration done on this 700 year old mural
Man closing shop for the day at sunset
One of Pingyao's many street arches
Milimeter-perfect brick arches along the city wall
Restored courtyard in the Rishengchang financial house building
(Pingyao's premier bank in the Qing dynasty)
(Pingyao's premier bank in the Qing dynasty)
Elaborate column support structure for the roof of 700 year-old Qingxu Guan, one of China's best preserved Taoist temples. Using an intricate network of horizontal beams for load-transfer, Chinese architects were able to create massive column-less rooms to house statues and ceremonial halls.
Side street, restored to former glory
Woman contemplating why business is slow
Three locals perched on a moped, whizzing by the South Gate
Neoh doing his best to take a selfie.
He is wondering if the streets of Pingyao are curved, or
does his lens have too much barrel distortion.
Yes, he's a bit of a nerd.
He is wondering if the streets of Pingyao are curved, or
does his lens have too much barrel distortion.
Yes, he's a bit of a nerd.