|
|
Pingyao Tour of
Ancient Ming-Qing Street
|
|
Pingyao had been the
focus of trade and lead the national finance for decades since the
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). On the main streets of South Avenue, West
Avenue and East Avenue, various shops, firms and banks are
scattered, along with a wide range of businesses, including a
teashop, cloth shop, salt shop, silk shop, general merchandise shop,
hockshop, exchange shop among others. West Avenue, where the known
nowadays as the 'Countryside Grandfather' of sundry Chinese banks,
Rishengchang Exchange Shop is located, was called 'the First
Financial Street of Great Qing (1644-1911)'.
Lacquers found in the street situated on South Avenue,
the Ancient Ming-Qing Street was the noisiest centre of business at
that time. The street is not very wide, with various kinds of shops
orderly arranged along the road. These shops were all built with
bricks and stones completely in the style of Ming and Qing
architecture, which are all the prototypes of the ancient buildings
and quite different from the imitation works now. In the granite
thresholds of each decent house, two lines of deep traits left by
the running-over carriages can still be found, which provides
evidence of the former bustle of business and also the pride held
for them in the old days. However, many shops have been rebuilt to
be used as museums or restaurants now. For example, Baichuantong
Exchange Shop now displays furniture, calligraphy, household
utensils and other articles of the previous housemasters.
Yonglonghao Exchange Shop has been rebuilt as the national lacquer
museum and Yunjincheng Chinese Medicine Shop as Pingyao Traditional
Famous Food Restaurant.
Walking to the centre of the street, you can see a tall
pavilion building. Here almost all the businesses in this city were
concentrated back then. This building, also called City Building,
along with the City Wall, has become witnesses to the long history
of this ancient city in the people's eyes. A well is hidden in the
southeast of the building, the color of its water is said to be
closest to gold. Hence the building is also called 'Golden Well
Building'. The spot had entered into the directory of Twelve
Sceneries of Pingyao in the Qing Dynasty and this area is also
listed as a key spot now under provincial cultural protection.
A residential house in the streetEntering the Ancient
Ming-Qing Street, you can not only feel the atmosphere of the
flourishing businesses formerly established but also appreciate the
really ancient building designs. Don't pass by the chance to
properly taste some of the delicious food available in Pingyao, such
as noodles made as dishes, savory beefs as well as the uniquely
fragrant and dainty 'Wantuo'. With so many interesting and
historical attractions to visit and divine concoctions to sample,
this area is sure to make a lasting impression on you once you
venture here.
Travel tips: Tourists to Pingyao can buy an
all-inclusive ticket at the cost of 120 Yuan. This includes
approximately 20 scenic spots of North City Gate, South City Gate,
County Yamun, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, the Temple of the City
God, and Military Arts House and others. A good variety of tourist
attractions are to be seen by using this ticket beside the Ancient
Ming-Qing Street, such as the Local Resident Houses, Baichuantong,
Xietongqing, Changshengwei. The city is not very large but
interesting spots are spread throughout, so you can easily travel in
the city on foot that will enable you to view as many as possible.
Tour Pingyao
with Great Wall Adventure Club, the best Pingyao
tour agent to help
you with your hotel booking and transfers.
|
|
