Courtyard in Pingyao Ancient Town 平遥古城
Pingyao is considered to be one of the most well preserved ancient towns in China. It is probably already a given that China, being the old civilization that it is, has a lot of town which are centuries old. Some of them survive to this day and have been recognized domstically and internationally for their beauty and well preserved nature. I would have to agree that among the several ancient towns which I have visited in China, Pingyao seems to be one of the more authentic ones.
Close Up of the Old Town Building in Pingyao 平遥
“More authentic” is actually quite inaccurate since it is a relative term. The town is still a heavily touristed as ever. Lots of old buildings have been turned into guesthouses or stores selling jewelry or souvenirs. However, large parts of the town have been turned into heritage areas so that they are not turned into any of those. In these places the site were carefully presevered and minimally restored for the tourists viewing pleasure.
[xmlgm {http://www.worldwanderings.net/kml/PingyaoAncientTown.kmz} zoom=19]