Pingyao County, China skyline: the 24 most iconic buildings and best views in Pingyao County

The wood, the atmosphere and the sculptures - everything is as old as it can get. When I was there, several young artists were transferring all the above onto their paper and canvas. Don’t miss the clay statues. When you take a first look at the celestial guards and gods, they may appear to be the typical menacing looking ones found in many temples. Upon closer look, you will start to realize that some in this temple are not only more menacing but more scary. They are meant to be as they are to bring across the message that crime doesn’t pay, that we must not do harm to others or else we would be trialed and condemned to hell. There is a series of life-sized officials of hell sitting in one room. Though it was a bright sunny day when I visited the temple, once I stepped indoor and was confronted by these officials, shivers were instantly sent down my spine. Still, I kept it up and tried my best to read the labels and explanations of these well-crafted pieces of art. In another building, I saw hundreds of intricately sculpted figures. They occupied whole walls, from floor to ceiling. They were in clusters, at different heights, each telling a story, a legend or a real event in Chinese history. Too bad only some of these scenes are explained with sufficient details in writing while others just have a title. But then, if one has a cell phone and the time, one can Google the story and history instantly. Pay the temple a visit. It’s a different experience.

A very empty and dirty place. Besides me, there were 6 other Chinese people in the entire temple. The statues are covered with dust and sand, as is everything there. The upside is that it's quiet and unrestored, but also not taken care of. Not worth 35cny.

Not worth visiting. Way better temples to visit in this country than this one.

Amazing 😍

(Translated by Google) Pingyao Shuanglin Temple is world-famous for its colorful sculptures and is known as the "treasure house of oriental colored sculpture art". Shuanglin Temple is a Buddhist temple with a long history. The Tang pagoda trees, Song steles, Ming bells, ancient buildings, colored sculptures and murals in the temple are all rare treasures. They inherit the fine traditions of China's Tang Dynasty and Song, Liao, Jin and Yuan colored sculptures, and have a highly realistic style. It is the pinnacle of Buddhist colored sculpture. (Original) 平遙双林寺以彩塑而闻名于世，被誉为“东方彩塑艺术的宝库”。双林寺是座历史悠久的佛寺。寺中的唐槐、宋碑、明钟以及古代建筑、彩塑和壁画，都是稀世珍宝。它们继承了中国唐代以及宋、辽、金、元彩塑的优良传统，具有高度写实的风格。是佛教彩塑的颠峰之作。

(Translated by Google) Shuanglin Temple in Pingyao County, Shanxi Province is also an ancient temple built during the Liao and Jin Dynasties. It is most famous for its statues and murals. The fusion of religion and culture and art reflects the precious historical and cultural heritage value! If you come to Pingyao Ancient City, don't miss this place (Original) 山西省平遙縣的雙林寺也是建於遼金時代的古寺廟、這裡最出名的就是雕像和壁畫藝術、融合宗教和文化藝術體現出珍貴歷史和文化遺產價值！如果來到平遙古城遊覽千萬不要錯過這裡

(Translated by Google) Beautiful, dynamic statues guard the temple's entrance. Unfortunately, photos make it look more impressive than it actually is. (Original) Piękne, dynamiczne posągi strzegące wejścia do świątyni. Niestety na zdjęciach wygląda bardziej imponująco niż naprawdę.

Almost got scammed by the ticketing counter who blatantly told his colleague to be quiet about it . Thankfully i understand mandarin and realised before any payment that they were trying to charge me for an additional ticket . Otherwise the temple is a very medicore and would spend no more than 10 minutes

Super nice temple not much visited. There is a scaring hell Hall with tortured and painted on the walls.

(Translated by Google) Zhenguo Temple, built in 963 AD, has left behind religious art from different eras including the Five Dynasties, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Zhenguo Temple, which is known as the third most famous wooden temple in China, and Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple, which are ranked first and second, are often seriously ignored as classics of religious architecture. The wooden structure originated from the Buddhist statues of the Five Dynasties. The Qing Dynasty reshaped the four heavenly kings and the eleven Sakyamuni and his disciples in the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. They are all goddesses and male gods in clay sculptures. (Original) 建於西元963的鎮國寺，留下了五代、元、明、清不同年代的宗教藝術。 被譽為中國三大木結構名寺排名第三的鎮國寺和前面排名一、二的佛光寺、南禪寺，往往是被嚴重忽略了宗教建築的經典。 木結構、源自五代佛教塑像，清朝重塑四大天王，和萬佛殿中十一尊釋迦牟尼及弟子們，尊尊都是泥塑中女神及男神。

(Translated by Google) When visiting Pingyao Ancient City, be sure to check out the nearby Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple. Personally, I think the ancient architecture of Zhenguo Temple is more unique. The Northern Han Dynasty, one of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms periods, was founded by Liu Chong (Min), a Shatuo Turk, after he declared himself emperor in Longdu (present-day Taiyuan). It was destroyed by Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Guangyi, in 979, finally bringing China back to unity. Zhenguo Temple was built in the seventh year of the Tianhui era of the Northern Han Dynasty (963 AD). The temple fell into disrepair during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but the Wanfo Hall was rebuilt in the twentieth year of the Jiaqing era (1815 AD) according to its original design. At the very front of the temple is the Tianwang Hall, which houses four statues of Heavenly Kings, majestic in appearance and full of life. The roof is a single-eaved gable style, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. The Wanfo Hall is located in the center of the front courtyard. The hall boasts a unique design, nearly square in plan, with a single-eaved hip roof that extends far outwards. The massive seven-tiered bracket system, exceeding two-thirds the height of the columns, gives the roof an umbrella-like shape, a rarity among temple architecture throughout history. The most precious aspect of the hall is its sculptures. At the center of the altar sits a waisted Sumeru pedestal upon which Shakyamuni Buddha sits cross-legged. The hall contains a total of fourteen sculptures. Of these, three (Guanyin, Sudhana, and the Dragon Girl) were sculpted in the Ming Dynasty and repainted in the Qing Dynasty; the rest are original works from the Five Dynasties period. (Original) 到平遙古城遊玩，一定要去附近的鎮國寺與雙林寺。個人覺得，鎮國寺的古建更加特別。 五代十國中的北漢，由沙陀人劉崇（旻）在龍都（今太原）稱帝後所建，於979年被宋高宗趙光義所滅，中國才又歸於統一。 鎮國寺即建於北漢天會七年（963年）， 明清時寺廟頹敗，嘉慶二十年（1815年）照原樣重修萬佛殿。 寺廟最前端天王殿，殿內塑有四尊天王像，神態威武，容顏飽滿，殿頂為單簷懸山式，為元代建築。 前院居中者為萬佛殿。造型獨特，平面近正方形，屋頂為單簷歇山式，出簷深遠，龐大的七輔作斗拱，總高超過了柱高的三分之二，使殿頂形如傘狀，在歷代寺廟建築中頗為罕見。殿內塑像最為珍貴，壇上正中設束腰須彌座，釋迦佛趺坐其上，全殿共有塑像十四尊。其中除三尊（觀音、善財、龍女）為明代塑造，清代重繪油彩外，其餘皆為五代原作。

(Translated by Google) Zhenguo Temple, located in the northeast of Pingyao Ancient City, is the earliest brick temple in China (Tang Dynasty). There is also a colorful sculpture in the temple that is more than 1,000 years old, which can be called a national treasure. It is worth a visit if you come to Pingyao! (Original) 位於平遙古城東北方的鎮國寺，是中國最早磚造建築寺廟（唐朝）。廟中還有一尊1000多年的彩塑雕像，堪稱國寶級古蹟，若到平遙值得一來！

(Translated by Google) When I went there in 2012, the environment was very quiet and there were not many tourists. Foreign tourists would ride bicycles there. Most of them lived near Pingyao Ancient City, and then rented bicycles to get around. If they had enough time, they could also visit Shuanglin Temple. (Original) 2012年當時去的時候環境很清幽，遊客不多，外國遊客會騎腳踏車前往，大多是住在平遙古城附近，然後租腳踏車四處逛逛，如果時間夠的話，還可以到雙林寺參觀一下。

(Translated by Google) Except for three of them (Guanyin, Shancai, and Dragon Girl) that were created in the Ming Dynasty and repainted with oil paint in the Qing Dynasty, the rest are all original works from the Five Dynasties. (Original) 其中除三尊（观音、善财、龙女）为明代塑造，清代重绘油彩外，其余皆为五代原作

This Confucian temple is bigger than usual and has well preserved buildings.

Quite well preserved Confucius temple that includes an Imperial Exam Exhibition. Apparently the confucius status and his disciples are some of the largest in the country. There is a giant 'ding' at one side courtyard.

A small but fascinating temple but they do need to dust the displays sometimes. Why is nothing properly cared for?

You need to visit

Beautiful temple

(Translated by Google) Dachengden, built in the Jin Dynasty (1163), is one of the oldest existing buildings among the temples of literature dedicated to Confucius. A majestic building with a gambrel roof. It is impressive that the large character ``Saki'' is engraved on the back, praying for passing the Imperial Examination first place. Most of the buildings other than Dacheng Hall are from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the ruins of the large-scale temple of literature are well preserved. (Original) 孔子をまつる文廟の中で現存建築としては屈指の古さを誇る金代（1163年）築の大成殿。方五間入母屋造の雄大な建物。科挙一位で及第することを祈り背面に大きな「魁」字を施したのが印象的。大成殿以外はほぼ明と清の建造物で、全体としてまとまった大規模な文廟遺構がよく残っている。

(Translated by Google) Beautiful and unique. I recommend visiting in the afternoon before 6:30 p.m. because they close at that time. If it's summer, go in the afternoon because it's very hot. We loved it. (Original) Bonito y peculiar. Recomiendo visitarlo por la tarde antes de las 18:30 porque a esa hora cierran. Si es verano ve por la tarde porque hace mucho calor. Nos encantó.

Well-preserved and moving; just imagine the individuals who worked in those actual rooms in an historic venue.

(Translated by Google) The first foreign exchange bank in China was Jitshusho. It was established in 1823, three years before the accession of Emperor Daoguang, the eighth emperor of the Qing Dynasty. For the next century, we operated as an exchange bank in various parts of China. It can be seen that the wheels of the ancient carriage exhibited here were made of iron. The cobblestones of the castle gate at the south gate look like worn rails due to the many times iron wheels have passed through them. (Original) 中国で最初の為替銀行が日升昌（じつしょうしょう）です。清の第8代皇帝、道光帝（どうこうてい）の即位3年前の1823年に設立。以後1世紀にわたり中国各地の為替銀行業務していました。 こちらに展示してある古代馬車の車輪は鉄製であることが伺えます。南門にある城門の石畳は鉄車輪が幾度も通ったことで、磨り減ったレールのような石畳を見ることが出来ます。

(Translated by Google) Well preserved. Detailed information allows you to gain an in-depth understanding of ancient transactions (Original) 保存良好。資訊詳細，可以深入瞭解古代的交易

(Translated by Google) The coupons issued by the ancestors of modern banks also had passwords. Ancient people's business acumen was still very advanced. (Original) 現代銀行的始祖開出的票券也是有密碼的古代的人商業頭腦還是很先進的

(Translated by Google) The first bank account in the country also displays the anti-counterfeiting encryption mechanism of banknotes. The wisdom of modern Shanxi merchants will not be lost to Western banks~ Worth a visit~ (Original) 全國第一家票號，還有展示銀票防偽加密機制，近代晉商的智慧不會輸給西方銀行~ 值得一遊~

(Translated by Google) The development history of Bank of China (Original) 中國銀行的發展史先軀

(Translated by Google) The first bank in China, a very modern bank. The person who uses the ticket number is not suspicious, and the person who is suspicious is not used. The big long cabinet Fu Xianren. After three years of probation, guys can become shares. (Original) 中國第一家票號，相當現代的銀行。票號用人不疑，疑人不用，大長櫃傅賢人。伙計試用三年後可以入股。

Interesting place with cool old architecture. A bit too busy and touristy though. Good stop if you dont have to travel from too far.

Amazing place to visit. Stayed one night in a great little hotel in traditional style. Well worth the 4 hour trip from Beijing on the fast train.

Fantastic location, steeped in history and plenty of awesome restaurants. Anyone who visits China should catch the train to the walled city.

Very well preserved city, you can get a good feeling of a traditional chinese village just by walking around its streets. Word of caution, it you need to use an ATM that takes international cards you can only find them outside the walled city. It's possible to do the most important activities in pingyao in one day, I would even recommend spending mo more than 6 hours and just stop here on the way.

Cool tourist attraction. Fun for families

Very cool ancient city. It's out of the way from popular tourist destinations so knowing some Chinese would help. People still live inside the city. There's even a Catholic Church inside the city walls.

Interesting away from main streets which are a bit like Disneyland

A beautiful Buddhist temple in mystical surroundings

(Translated by Google) Very expensive 120 yen to enter. And all the temples the same. I don't see it logical when in Beijing they cost less than half. Very expensive. I don't enter any of them for that reason, on top of that they are super left and without taking care of (Original) Carísimo 120 yenes para entrar. Y todos los templos igual. No lo veo lógico cuando en Pekín cuestan menos de la mitad. Muy caro. No entro a ninguno por eso, encima super dejados y sin cuidar

(Translated by Google) The shrine dedicated to the guardian deity of the land, the castle god, is the castle shrine, which is probably the guardian shrine of the ancient castle of Heiyo. The existing buildings date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties and are quite large. The main hall is gabled and has seven girders, with a sleeping shrine for the god of the castle behind it, a cave-like area at the bottom, and a pavilion-like structure on the second floor, which is quite cool. The theater in front of the dedication of the shrine is also interesting. When you enter from the front, it is a tower gate, but when you pass under it and enter, you will find yourself facing the dedication hall, which has been set up as a stage for performances of plays dedicated to the god of the castle. (Original) 土地の守護神である城隍神を祭る廟所が城隍廟で、ここがいわば古城平遥の鎮守社であろう。現存の建築物群は明と清のもので、なかなかの規模。正殿は切妻造の桁行七間で、背後に城隍神の寢宮があって下が洞窟様で2階が楼閣様、なかなか格好いい。献殿前にある戯樓も面白い。正面から入ると楼門なのだが、下をくぐり中に入ると献殿に面して城隍神へ奉じる戯曲を上演する舞台になるよう設けられてる。

(Translated by Google) The historic Chenghuang Temple Antique One day He will say *You are here* If you have kind thoughts in your heart, you will be rewarded (Original) 歷史悠久的古蹟城隍廟 古色古香總有一天祂會說*您來了* 心存善念就有福報

(Translated by Google) Ancient Taoist temples show that ancient Taoism also existed at the same time as Buddhism in China. There is no exclusion. (Original) 古老的道教廟宇，顯示古代道教在中國亦與佛教同時存在。並無排擠。

(Translated by Google) Well preserved with wonderful sculptures and murals (Original) 保存良好，雕塑和壁畫精彩

(Translated by Google) The temple that worships the City God protects the ancient city of Pingyao. It is a Taoist temple that worships ownerless ghosts. (Original) 祭祀城隍的廟宇，守護著平遙古城，是道教祭祀無主孤魂野鬼的廟。

Got to pick up old weapons and pose for photos for free.

(Translated by Google) At ‘Pyoho’, the first bank, spot payments were made according to the date of bill maturity, etc. ‘Pyo Guk’, which often appears in martial arts magazines, is a ‘security’ company that provides transportation. This is the place. At first, the main business was transporting gold bars, but it also included protecting and transporting people. It was a place where a kind of ‘bodyguard’ work was mainly done.. The scale was not as large as expected, and it was equipped with a small parade ground and lodgings, and miniatures of the soldiers who went on the expedition at the time were also on display. (Original) 최초의 은행이었던 '표호'에서 어음 만기등의 일자에 맞춰 현물을 운송해주던 '시큐리티' 업체로 무협지에 많이 등장하는 '표국'이 바로 이 곳이다. 처음엔 금괴 운송등이 주 업무였지만 사람을 보호해서 데려다 주는 등 일종의 '보디가드' 업무를 주로 했던 곳으로 .. 생각보다 규모는 그리 크지 않았고 자그만 연병장과 숙소등을 갖추고 있으며 당시 표행을 나갔던 표사들의 미니어처등도 전시가 되어있다 .

(Translated by Google) The little escort agency introduced The development history of security personnel in ancient times (Original) 小小的鏢局介紹著 古早的保全人員發展史

(Translated by Google) It's an old tourist attraction, but Inconvenient as there is little guidance for foreigners If you want to visit, it's a good place to study in advance (Original) 오래된 관광지이지만 외국인을 위한 안내가 거의 없어 불편함 방문하려면 미리 공부해서 보면 좋을 곳

(Translated by Google) Take care of your own property and be responsible for your safety (Original) 自己財物自己顧,安全自負

Yunjincheng Mansion is absolutely beautiful, and it could be a tourist attraction itself. We felt like we stepped back in time when we explored the buildings, rooms and courtyards. Even the beds gave us an insight into how the Chinese wealthy families lived. Location is excellent. Just step out of the hotel, and you are in the middle of Pingyao Ancient City. The atmospheric cobbled streets are lined with charming buildings that still retained their historical appearances. All attractions are within walking distance, including Ming and Qing Dynasty Ancient Street, Rishengcheng Bank, and Pingyao City Wall.

(Translated by Google) Charming, in the center of the ancient city, completely stylish. The room is very comfortable, functional, and offers a wide range of amenities. The breakfast is plentiful, but 95% Chinese-style. The staff is very attentive. Cars don't drive directly to the hotel; there's a shuttle service within the ancient walls. A wonderful experience. (Original) Suggestivo, nel centro della città antica, completamente in stile. La camera è molto comoda, funzionale e ricca di servizi disponibili. La colazione è abbondante ma 95% in stile cinese. Il personale è molto attento Le auto non arrivano direttamente all’hotel, c’è un servizio navetta all’interno delle mura antiche Bellissima esperienza

(Translated by Google) The replicas of the statues destroyed in the 1960s are definitely not as impressive as the originals. This doesn't mean the temple isn't worth seeing. Beautiful murals and a theater stage, where plays for the gods were performed, have survived. (Original) Repliki posągów zniszczonych w latach 60 zdecydowanie nie są tak imponujące, jak te oryginalne. Nie oznacza to, że nie warto zobaczyć świątyni. Zachowały się piękne murale, i scena teatralna, na której deskach wystawiano przedstawienia dla bogów.

(Translated by Google) City God Temples have a long history as Taoist temples dedicated to the guardian deities of cities, and since the Ming Dynasty, rituals have been institutionalized and City God Temples have been built in each city. The temple, which occupies a large area of ​​Pingyao City's God Street, is said to have been rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty after a fire. As you enter the pavilion on the street, you will see many buildings such as the Sanmon Gate, the Palace, the Hall of Honor, the City God's Temple, and the Living Hall. Perhaps demonstrating the city's economic strength, there are many gorgeous and impressive old buildings within the precincts, all of which are well preserved. (Original) 城隍廟は 都市の守護神を祀る道教寺院として歴史は古く、明代以降は祭祀が制度化され都市毎に城隍廟が建てられるようになった。 平遥城隍街の広い敷地を占める廟は火災後、清の時代に改築されたものといわれる。 通りの牌楼を入ると、山門、戯楼、献殿、城隍廟、寝殿など多くの建築が建っている。市の経済力を示すのか、境内には豪華で見応えのある古建築がいくつも残っていて、いずれも保存状態が良い。

(Translated by Google) Located at the rear left of the Chenghuang Temple Worshiping the gods of civil and military wealth from all over the world It’s a good place to make a fortune (Original) 位於城隍廟裡的左後方 供奉四方文武財神 是求發財的好地方