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Pingyao Tour of City
Wall
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Being one of the four wholly protected ancient cities
in China, Pingyao Ancient City is thought of as the 'treasure house'
of ancient Chinese architectures. (The other three are Langzhong
Ancient City, Shexian County and the Old Town of Lijiang. Pingyao
Ancient City is situated in the south of Taiyuan City, Shanxi
Province, the history of its original construction dating back to
the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th Century BC -771BC ) and later being
enlarged in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) for defense reasons.
Among the 'Three Treasures' of
Pingyao, the City Wall is rated
highest, the other two being Zhengguo Temple, and Shuanglin Temple.
Although there has been repeated renovations, the city walls,
streets, shops, temples and other buildings are still in a very good
condition.
With a total length of six kilometers (about four
miles), the city wall is about 12 meters (about 40 ft) tall and 3 to
6 meters (about 10-20 ft) wide on top. The wall is of compacted
earth covered by bricks and stones. From a bird's eye view the
rectangular wall resembles a tortoise. There are six city gates, one
each on the north and south walls, and two each on the west and east
walls. The south gate is the head of the tortoise, the two wells
outside being the two eyes of tortoise. The north gate, the lowest
place of the city, is the tail of tortoise. Traditionally the
tortoise was considered a symbol of longevity, so through ancient
times the hopes were that Pingyao Ancient City would be permanently
secure. There are 72 watchtowers on the top of city wall and 3,000
external battlements. It is said that the 72 watchtowers represent
72 people of great wisdom, the 3,000 battlements the 3,000 disciples
of Confucius.
Tour Pingyao
with Great Wall Adventure Club, the best Pingyao
tour agent to help
you with your hotel booking and transfers.
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