Pingyao, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, is renowned for its well-preserved Ancient City Wall. The wall, constructed in 1370, has six gates, four structured towers at the four corners and 72 watchtowers.

The city was at its peak during the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644) and offers a fascinating insight into the architectural styles of Imperial China, as the walls and design of the city are typical of the symmetrical layout of the era.

Pingyao was the financial centre of China in the late Qing Dynasty. During those times, there were as many as 20 financial institutions within the city, comprising more than half of the total in the whole country. Among these is "Rishengchang," considered the first bank in China and pioneered the use of paper checks as a form of payment.