Travel Information

Getting There:

平遥Pingyao is in 山西省Shanxi Province and 太原Taiyuan is the provincial capital. From Taiyuan's 建南汽车站Jiannan Bus Station (South Bus Station), take the bus to Pingyao (Y20 fare and takes 1 hour 45 mins — Summer 2006.). Pingyao is located south of Taiyuan, so buses going there are in the south bus station. Jiannan bus station is a big open square behind the ticket building; all the buses wait there, and each bus has a sign with its destination written on it.  I came to Taiyuan from 榆林Yulin where the bus left at 7:30 in the morning; from then, the bus made the epic ride through the 黄土Huangtu (loess) landscape, passing villages, towns and cities, til finally we arrived at the very big city of Taiyuan, whose long, long avenues shot straight to the horizon. It was then 7:15 in the evening. For the next half hour I wandered around the neighborhood thinking about what I should do next: should I stay in the city for the night or go to one of the places down south? The Yulin bus had dropped me off near the north bus station where the railway station is located as well. None of my destinations were listed on the bus station. But after a minute with the ticket clerk I was told to go to the south bus station.  After some hesitation I finally headed down to the South Station to check for luck.

It was late and the ticket windows were closed, so I went out to the parking space to see what was left. As always there were the minivans to take me to anywhere. But be careful of these services: they normally charge alot; but worse is that they might drop you off at inconvenient places, which can be very stressful at night. I checked every bus parked there, and to my good luck the last bus to Pingyao was waiting for me. Originally, I had planned to travel southward from Taiyuan, jumping from the nearest destination to the next — from 榆次Yuci to 太谷Taigu to 祁县Qixian to 平遥Pingyao. From Pingyao, I moved further south to 灵石Lingshi. After that I moved up one town after another toward Taiyuan. I was quite satified, and since there was still some time I went to the corner to get a bag of boiled eggs for the missed lunch and dinner. At 8' 0 clock, the bus headed out.

You can also get to Pingyao by rail from Taiyuan city. Once in Pingyao, which is not a very big county, you can walk to the city wall. The walk from the railway station to the wall is about 15 mins.

Accomodations:

Pingyao is a UNESCO site. So it is well-known internationally. As that there are all sorts of accomodations to fit your needs. Outside the walled town, there are plenty of hotels. Y150 will get you a good room with a private bathroom. Inside the walled town, there are also lots of guesthouses. These large guesthouses are normally 2-stories buildings designed like the classical architecture in the area. Y50 will get you a good room, maybe with a private bathroom.

Entrance Ticket:

Entrance to the walled town is free. To see the important buildings or climb the city wall you will need a ticket. A Y120 ticket will open doors to about 20 or so historic sites in the town. Y5 to get up the 市楼Shilou (the City Tower), which is on the 南大街South Avenue. Summer 2006.