Pingyao, Historical walled city in Shanxi, China
The city walls stretch for 6,163 meters at 12 meters high, incorporating around 3,000 battlements and several watchtowers that once defended the settlement from external threats.
Construction of defensive fortifications in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty transformed Pingyao into a major commercial and financial hub of imperial China, preserving its architecture through subsequent centuries.
The settlement preserves over 4,000 traditional residences and 300 historic buildings with inhabited neighborhoods that continue to support daily life for more than 20,000 residents today.
The Datong-Puzhou railway and Datong-Xi'an high-speed rail lines connect Pingyao to major cities, while National Highway 108 provides road access. Visitors can walk along the city walls and explore various museums.
Rishengchang Draft Bank, established in 1823 within the walls, developed into the first nationwide banking chain system across China with branches in over 30 cities, revolutionizing money transfer through paper drafts instead of transporting silver.
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