Wonder Wall

Before ring roads, Beijing, like other cities, was an ancient walled city. But today in New China, the visiting tourist is hard pressed to find such vestiges of feudal past. Modernization continues to prevail.

Pingyao's ancient city is listed as a site of important cultural relics by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, is one of the last cities in China completely surrounded by such a wall, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Established in the Han Dynasty (221BC-206AD), the city was enlarged in 1370. Motorized vehicles are not usually permitted within the 6-kilometer wall, which stands 10 meters tall, with 72 watchtowers and 3,000 arrow crenels.

Travel tips:

The 2519 train (Beijing Railway Station - Hancheng). Departs from Beijing at 19:10 pm, and arrives at Pingyao at 05:18am. Stops for four minutes. It is 15 minutes walk to the west gate, one of six in the city.

Accommodation: Zhongdu Hotel, a three-star hotel, is opposite Pingyao Railway Station.

Pingyao Hotel is in the ancient city. Double room prices range from 80-160 yuan. Tel: 86 - (0) 10 + 5869 9359/2/3 or 5166 1575 .

Courtyard Caters to Cinema Lovers

Director Zhang Yimou's award-winning movie Raise the Red Lantern earned critical plaudits not only for its thought-provoking story and outstanding acting, but also its rich cinematography, as evidenced by the magnificent courtyard house setting.

Following the movie's success, the Qiao family residence in Qixian County, 54 kilometers from Taiyuan, Shanxi, has drawn increasing attention. The 8,700-square-meter compound boasts 313 rooms, six large and 20 small courtyards. Sculpted stonework and intricate wood carvings display the height of Chinese craftsmanship during the early Emperor Qianlong period (1736-1796) when venture capitalist Qiao Zhiyong had his family house built. It took 200 years to complete. Qiao's family properties extended to Beijing, Yunnan, Shanghai and Taiyuan.

Qiao started his business in Baotou before expanding into Mongolia and Russia. He went on to establish more than 30 fenhao--ancient bank branches and two piaohao--ancient banks: Dadetong and Dadeheng.

The entrance fee is 28 yuan.

How To Get There:

Three roads meet at Qiaojia Dayuan: 108, 208 and the Dayun road. Qiaojia Dayuan is 45 kilometers from the Pingyao Railway Station and a 10 yuan one-way minibus to Taiyuan will stop there. More comfortable might be a 100-yuan round trip by taxi.