Travel tips

Updated:2013-05-08 17:28
( chinadaily.com.cn)

Tour guide

Visitors can hire licensed tour guides in the guide service center, which is located in the parking lot beside the south gate. Quality guide services are also available from travel agencies. Guide prices range from 80 yuan ($12.94) to 100 yuan per person.

Best time for travel

The best time to visit Pingyao Ancient City is in January, September and November. All the four seasons are suitable for tours in Pingyao, and autumn is even better because of the cool weather. In addition to that, the photography festival will be held in Pingyao at the end of September.

We also recommend you come in winter as you can enjoy the folk performances and the beautiful snowy scenery of Pingyao. Besides, there are fewer visitors than usual in winter, and the Spring Festival atmosphere, as well as corresponding celebration activities, can make the tour even more interesting.

Credit-card and consumption

Only Postal Savings has an ATM in the ancient city at present. Most bank outlets are based outside of the city, and there are ATMs from ICBC beside the Western Gate. Most inns and restaurants in Pingyao do not accept credit-card payments. Therefore, it would be better to keep some cash.

Useful numbers:

County of Pingyao travel complaints: 0354-5672110, 0354-5674110

Jinzhong travel complaints: 0354-2636528

Shanxi travel complaints: 0351-7325012

Ticket/consulting service hotline: 0354-5690000

Price complaints: 12358

Internet

Most inns provide free Wi-Fi, and some big hotels provide desktops for visitors. Xingteng Net Bar

Address: Northern Avenue, Pingyao (opposite Erlang Temple) 

Hospital

Pingyao County People’s Hospital

Address: No 61 Shuguang Avenue, Pingyao, Jinzhong, Shanxi

Number: 0354-5624307

Pingyao county hospital of traditional Chinese medicine

Address: No 24 Southern Avenue, Pingyao, Jinzhong, Shanxi

Number: 0354-5628020

Post office

Branch post office of Ancient City

Address: No 5 Western Avenue, Pingyao (close to Southern Avenue)

Number: 0354-5683532

Postcode: 031100

Tips for taking photos

1. Pingyao has many historical buildings, providing perfect subjects for art creation, like ancient sculptures and murals. Please obey relative rules on cultural relic protection while shooting.

2. Pingyao’s folk traditions are also good subjects for photos, such as the distinctive wedding and funeral customs, Ming and Qing architecture, and Pingyao’s unique banye or ricksha puller.

3. We recommend you not wear white clothes when visiting the Qiao courtyard and other buildings as the light ratio may lead to over exposure.

Power failures often happen and there will not be any notice for power outages. Therefore, digital cameras and cell phones should be fully charged when electricity is available.