My third world heritage site of Shanxi trip and also my final destination was Ping Yao, the well preserved ancient Chinese city which was the important financial and trade center of Chinese Empire during Ming and Qing dynasties and clearly my favorite place of this short but wonderful journey. I arrived Ping Yao at night, at first sight, new Ping Yao offered me a typical dusty Chinese town with unplanned closing road which made my chauffer quite frustrated with the chaotic traffic.

After half an hour, the city wall of old Ping Yao appeared in front of me. The city wall of Ping Yao, in my opinion, was one of the most perfect cities walls I have ever seen in Asia; the moat and wall turrets were just remarkable, smaller but far better than the city wall of Xi'an. I stayed in a traditional hotel called Yi De, which was once the Residence Complex of Hou family, sleeping in this hotel was kind of experience as I sleep on a traditional bed in the small ancient room with modern bath surrounding the beautiful courtyard.

Not only the hotel I was impressed, but the whole city of Ping Yao was also unbelievable to be existed in the modern-day China. Walking in Ping Yao was liked walking in the old Chinese movie scenes; the city was full of beautiful Ming Qing traditional courtyard houses, and along the main roads were lively old shop houses that now transformed to be hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops selling Ping Yao style roast beef and tasty Shanxi vinegar. As I mentioned Ping Yao was an important financial and trade center, there were an ancient bank, insurance company and merchants houses that now opened as museums.

Visiting the city was free of charge, but for museums, city wall and temples, 120 Yuan was the price for the whole package. My favorite place was the city tower located in the middle of the city, which was not included in the city ticket. For 5 Yuan, the tower offered you one of best and dreamy view of this city with sea of tile roofs under your feet. Ping Yao was really touristy, but the city was able to keep its original characteristics, local people still live in the old city with their non tourism businesses. I highly recommended visiting small but lively morning market near the old government buildings and buy delicious local snacks freshly made by old friendly locals or vegetable or fruit in horse draw carts.

I also interested in city policy, the notable one was toilet, as ancient Chinese houses had no toilet, instead of putting modern one in every house which may destroy ancient house elements, local authority chose to build many public toilets in many parts of city for people to use. Ping Yao gave me many nice memories from its people, food, and architecture and also gave me a good example of which direction ancient Asian city should be preserved. Visiting Ping Yao was truly a great time in China and was another place which deservedly to be a world heritage site.