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Pingyao displays Han plans
February 13, 2011, Sunday
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THE ancient city of Pingyao is an outstanding example of a Han Chinese city of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) that has retained all its features to an exceptional degree and, in doing so, provides a remarkably complete picture of cultural, social, economic and religious development during one of the most seminal periods of Chinese history.
The Pingyao region has been settled by humans since Neolithic times. There has been an urban settlement since at least the Western Zhou dynasty (c.11th century-770 BC).
Pingyao became the seat of a county administration in 221 BC and continues to play that role. In 1370, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Hong Wu, the city was fortified with a massive new defensive wall and the internal layout was greatly altered, reflecting the strict rules of planning of the Han peoples.
It evolved steadily as a Han city during the Ming and Qing dynasties and emerged as one of the leading commercial cities in northern China in the 16th century. In the second half of the 19th century the banking community of Pingyao dominated Chinese financial life.
Pingyao contains a number of cultural monuments protected by national, provincial, or county designation. These include temples, administrative buildings, bridges and private homes displaying traditional Han architecture and distinguishing local features.
In 1997, Pingyao was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Pingyao region has been settled by humans since Neolithic times. There has been an urban settlement since at least the Western Zhou dynasty (c.11th century-770 BC).
Pingyao became the seat of a county administration in 221 BC and continues to play that role. In 1370, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Hong Wu, the city was fortified with a massive new defensive wall and the internal layout was greatly altered, reflecting the strict rules of planning of the Han peoples.
It evolved steadily as a Han city during the Ming and Qing dynasties and emerged as one of the leading commercial cities in northern China in the 16th century. In the second half of the 19th century the banking community of Pingyao dominated Chinese financial life.
Pingyao contains a number of cultural monuments protected by national, provincial, or county designation. These include temples, administrative buildings, bridges and private homes displaying traditional Han architecture and distinguishing local features.
In 1997, Pingyao was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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