[Photo by Thanin Yous/For chinadaily.com.cn] |
Climbing the city wall allows an overview of the beautiful ancient city. Standing in the highest tower of the wall, which was once used to protect Pingyao from its enemies, one can’t help but be impressed by the huge, well-constructed city, which remains secure today.
A stroll through the city allows you to explore its ancient houses and administrative buildings. Some buildings, including that of the first bank in China and the municipal courts, have been preserved for tourists to visit. Some local residential houses from during the Qing Dynasty have been renovated and converted into souvenir stores, food stores and restaurants.
Qiao's Grand Courtyard and the Pingyao in Shanxi province impress tourists with their cultural history, architecture and food, and the Shanxi residents also leave visitors with lasting memories. They treat tourists, especially foreigners, with warmth and friendliness. During my time in Shanxi, I always felt warmly welcomed by the local people. The province left me with unforgettable memories of China.