Pingyao: An ancient city of breathing history

TAIYUAN -- With a history of over 2,700 years, Pingyao is famous for its well-preserved urban landscape from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). It was named a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. The ancient city, covering an area of 2.25 square km, is home to more than 300 cultural relics and nearly 4,000 traditional buildings. The city put itself on the map in the 19th century as China's financial center. Banks flourished as Shanxi merchants expanded their businesses across the country. Nowadays, thanks to the effective conservation of historic sites and intangible cultural heritage, as well as the improvement of the living environment, the walled city is regaining its shine.