Town in Shanxi, China
Pingyao
China's best-preserved walled Ming-Qing town: courtyard inns, banks and lanes inside a 6 km wall, a UNESCO site. Beautiful and atmospheric, but small, touristy by day and bitterly cold in winter.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$745–1,270Comfortable, one person · ¥5,000–8,500Details
- Value for money86/100Better value than 85% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 33°CDetails
- Internet238 MbpsFixed broadband, China medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDon't drink the tap; inns supply kettles and bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: rareDetails
- Doctor's visit$4–37Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundWalking and bicyclesVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereAlipay and WeChat Pay are accepted in most shops and inns; carry cash for small stalls and cart rides.Details
Where to stay in Pingyao
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Within the walls, South Street | Courtyard inns, shops and the main tourist lanes |
| Northeast quarter near the wall | Quieter courtyards and fewer day-trippers |
| New town outside the walls | Cheaper hotels and shops; less atmosphere |
Apps that work in Pingyao
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Meituan | Limited coverage; works in the new town |
- Maps: Amap or Apple Maps (Google Maps is blocked and inaccurate)
- Messaging: WeChat
- Alipay: Payments, DiDi rides and metro QR codes
- WeChat Pay: Backup payments and mini-program bookings
- Trip.com: Train and hotel bookings in English
- Taxis: Few ride apps work reliably; inns arrange station pickups. Taxis outside the wall quote flat prices.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in China.
- Cards almost everywhere Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted in most shops and inns; carry cash for small stalls and cart rides.
- Currency: Yuan Renminbi (CNY). US$1 ≈ ¥6.71 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank of China, ICBC and other big-bank ATMs take Visa and Mastercard; per-withdrawal limits are low and fees vary.
- Tipping: Not expected; some upscale hotels and restaurants add a service charge.
- Paying by phone: Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign Visa or Mastercard work almost everywhere; small fee on larger payments. Apple Pay rarely.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities get 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026; others need a visa before travel.
- 240-hour visa-free transit needs a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; stay within the 24 eligible provinces.
- Fill in the arrival card online at s.nia.gov.cn before landing, or on paper; fingerprints are taken.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301
Plugs
Type A, C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airport counters sell local SIMs with passport registration; a roaming SIM or travel eSIM bought abroad is simpler and avoids blocked sites. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in China
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.