Ancient City of Ping Yao, China

Once a commercial and banking hub, the Ancient City of Ping Yao in China now earns most of its revenues from tourism. During the era of the Quing Dynasty, the Ancient City of Ping Yao in China or the Pingyao Ancient City served as the Chinese financial capital. In fact, the city's reputation stretches far before the Quing era. The Ancient City of Ping Yao in China is said to have been founded and constructed in the 11th century BC by the Western Zhou Dynasty. Later, between the 14th and the 17th centuries, the Ming Dynasty set up the city as its defense headquarters. The city is located in the Shaanxi Province and covers and area of 1,260 Sq Km.

Of the four Chinese 'wholly protected ancient cities' the Ancient City of Ping Yao in China is a significant member. It houses treasures mainly of Chinese architecture. Amazingly, but true, most of the constructions are still in pretty good shape with very little help. The city-plan has remained almost the same since its construction, as have most of the residential houses. The Ancient City of Ping Yao in China also has some 300 historical ruins around its area. The city has three chief 'treasures'. They are the City Wall, the Zhengguo Temple and the Double Forest Temple. The City Wall is the boundary wall of the Ancient City of Ping Yao in China, which stretches for 64 Km in a rectangular shape around the city. It has 6 gates, 72 watch-towers and stands at a height of 12 meters.