Pingyao City Wall
I’ve been home for a few weeks now and am actually almost caught up with work and life in general. Right now I’m sitting at a Toyota dealership getting the recall work on my new Highlander completed. I think this may be the last of the tasks that accumulated while I was away. I guess that means it’s time to go back and try to catch up on the tail end of my recent China trip.
Our last stop before our return to Beijing was the walled city of Pingyao in central Shanxi Province. It was constructed in the late 14th century making it older than the Forbidden City by a couple decades.
Pingyao looking south from the north leg of the city wall
The city within the walls is fairly well preserved with numerous original courtyard homes and street side shops intact. Narrow cobble stoned alleys and streets wind their ways between the courtyards’ surrounding walls. Many of the main thoroughfares are pedestrian only and outside vehicles within the city are mostly limited to electric powered golf carts. It’s all rather quaint.
Our group was booked into a hotel created within one of these old courtyards. The rooms were actually individual buildings restored to original condition and furnished as they would have been centuries ago with many of the pieces being actual antiques. It was really very nice. When coming back after a night on the town or getting up in the morning you were almost transported to “old” China for a time. My only regret was not having the family along to share the experience.
Courtyard area of our hotel. My room is behind the door on the right edge of the picture.
As we traveled about I had various willing members of the group pose with Durango, the frog puppet. For grins I am posting a series of the photos below. Thanks to all the folks who helped make our little family tradition so fun this time around.
Restaurant hostesses in Taiyuan
L-R: Anna, Richard and Jean in lobby of Pingyao hotel
Chris and Diane
Paul overlooking Shanxi cave dwelling, some of which are still occupied.
Drew outside temple complex near Taiyuan
Keone at mountain temple whose name I forget.
Stephanie and Annemarie outside oldest wooden building in China.
