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.
|
