Pootling around Pingyao

The street our hostel is on.
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After a very cold train journey from Datong, no heating in the carriage, we headed for our hostel. We had some banana pancakes, hit the hay and slept for hours!

That evening we took a little walk around the town of Pingyao, which has the most intact Ming Dynasty city wall in China. It's a really beautiful town, like stepping back in history.

All in all Pingyao is a relaxed pretty little town.

The next day we headed off to Wangs Courtyard house, which is beautiful, but absolutely huge. It's basically a tiny walled village, arranged according to social structure, houses built all around courtyards. Gorgeous. Cathal took loads of photos so do have a quick look. We chilled out the rest of the afternoon.

Main street!
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The town of Pingyao is lovely and we spent some happy hours wandering around the narrow streets. There was the first bank in China to check out - dating from the 1800's and the old Government buildings which included a grisly set of torture instruments. There also was a Confucian temple and we hired bikes and headed out of town to see the Shaunglin temple. (see temple pictures under "Templemental" entry). Afterwards we cycled inside the city walls.

I got my hair cut too - interesting because the hairdresser didn't have a word of English, and I don't know the Chinese word for "just a trim please!" Anyhow after about 10 minutes and for the equivalent of 50p my hair is approximately the right shape. Bargain!

A guy cycled past with this colourful paper umbrella. They are used for funerals
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All in all Pingyao is a relaxed pretty little town. Full of Chinese tourists - some of whom may ask to have their picture taken with you!  We enjoyed it, but after five chilled out days are ready to head by train off to Xi'an.