Pingyao is famous for its ancient town and ancient merchants cultures, there are many ancient folk architectures and museums we could discover in Pingyao.
When we talk about Pingyao, we should talk about a group of merchants we call them "Jinshang" now, "Jin" is the short name of Shanxi Province, and "Shang" means businessmen. Jinshang normally means Shanxi merchants during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (lasting about 500 years),their main business are salt industry and banking, especially the banking. In 1824, the first financial institution in Chinese history was born in Pingyao Ancient Town, it was Rishengchang. Except Rishengchang, there are over 700 bankings home to Pingyao.
And the courtyards of the Jinshang are another attractions when you visit Pingyao. Such as Qiao Family Courtyard, Chang Family Courtyard, Wang Family Courtyard, Cao Family Couryard. Their courtyards are not only one courtyard, but also hundreds of courtyard groups.
And because in the inner China and far from the large cities, many historical buildings in Pingyao survived from the war. Except the Pingyao Ancient Town and courtyards, many castles, temples and palaces you could discover when you visit Pingyao.
