Pingyao: Read Ming and Qing between the draft and city walls

Pingyao is the best-preserved Ming and Qing county town in China. For three days and two nights, between the tickets, escort agencies, and city walls, read a tale of the prosperous old dream of Shanxi merchants dominating the world.

Climbing the ancient city wall of Pingyao in the morning, this six-kilometer-long city is perfectly shaped. Walking around the wall, you can see watchtowers, barbicans, and horse-face walls all in one place, with the bustling streets all at once. The blue bricks and gray tiles in the morning light are so quiet it hardly resembles a tourist ancient town.

Going downhill to see the Rishengchang draft bank, China's first modern bank. Secret seals and drafts of exchange letters are secretly sealed, and the ambition of "connecting the world" is written into every accounting room. Standing in this small courtyard, one recalls the back of the Shanxi merchants' camel caravan traveling across Eurasia back then.

The Pingyao County Yamen is the most complete ancient county office in China, with a main hall, secondary hall, prison, and gardens—all fully equipped. Catch the live performance of "The County Magistrate Ascends the Hall," and the sound of the gavel feels like traveling back to the scene of a case.

At night, red lanterns light up Mingqing Street, and the plaques of the Xie Tongqing and Tongxing Escort Agencies shine one after another. Find a Jin cuisine restaurant and have a bowl of Pingyao beef with kaolaolao; the vinegar aroma bursts on your tongue—it's the authentic taste of Shanxi.

The beauty of Pingyao lies in the living old times. When the outline of the ancient city wall falls silent in the night, you will understand that some places do not need restoration to look new; the old itself has its value.