Pingyao is in central Shanxi province, China. During the Qing Dynasty, Pingyao was a financial center of China. The city is now famous for its well-preserved ancient city wall, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The layout of Pingyao city still retains the style from the Ming and Qing dynasties. In overall, it conforms to a typical bagua pattern. There are more than 300 sites of ancient ruins in or near the city. Close to 4000 Ming- and Qing-style residences are carefully preserved. Visitors may see and feel the strong historical flavor in the streets and storefronts from their well retained historical appearance.
In the Spring and Autumn Period, the county was under the rein of the kingdom of Jin. In the Warring States Period, it was part of the kingdom of Zhao. In the Qin Dynasty, it was named as Pingtao. During the Han Dynasty, it was called Zhongdu county.
In 1986, Pingyao was designated as one of the Chinese Historic and Cultural Cities by the national government. In 1997, the city became a World Heritage Site, together with the outlying Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple.
In the late Qing Dynasty, Pingyao was the financial center of China. During those times, there were as many as 20 financial institutions within the city, making up more than half of total in the whole country. "Rishengchang," is considered the first bank in China.
Pingyao is close to another Chinese Historic and Cultural City Qi County. Pingyao city is located on the eastern banks of the Fen River, and is in the southwestern edge of the Taiyuan basin. Agriculture is the major part in Pingyao's economy. Agricultural products include grains, cotton, and lacquerware. The region is famous for its beef.