Top 10 alternative ways to spend the Spring Festival

Pingyao Ancient Town

Pingyao's ancient walled city has plenty of well-preserved cultural relics representing Shanxi's prosperous past during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. It was added to the World Cultural Heritage List in 1997.

Pingyao's ancient walled city has plenty of well-preserved cultural relics representing Shanxi's prosperous past during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

It looks too crowded in summer days when tourists flood into the ancient town, but in winter the cold flagging may provide much food for thoughts about history and culture. Guesthouses renovated from old houses hang up large red lanterns, adding to the joy of this festival season. When the majority of tourists are heading home, a trip to Pingyao may be rewarding.

Traffic: Take the long distance bus from Lizeqiao station in Beijing. Or you can get to the provincial capital city of Taiyuan by air or by train, and then take a bus.