A Generation's Journey to the West: A Three-Day, Two-Night Guide to Datong

The only ancient city in China preserved due to poverty, comparable in scale to the Forbidden City, with a history of over 2,700 years, it remains perfectly intact and is known as "Turtle City." You would never guess that China has an ancient county town built over 2,000 years before the Forbidden City, comparable in scale and perfectly preserved to this day. After thousands of years, 42,000 residents still live within the city. Viewed from above, the dense clusters of houses form a breathtaking panorama. The city walls stretch continuously for a total perimeter of 6,163 meters and stand approximately 12 meters high. With South Street as its central axis, four main streets and eight smaller streets, along with Youyan Alley, intersect to form the city's lifeblood, connecting every corner and ensuring accessibility. But did you know that the reason for its preservation lies in its slow economic development? The government at the time lacked the resources for large-scale demolition and reconstruction. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing the ancient city to remain intact. It is the most well-preserved ancient county town in China today. The entire city resembles a turtle crawling south, hence the name "Turtle City." 📍 Pingyao Ancient City, Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province ⚠️⚠️ Transportation: 🚄 High-speed train to Pingyao Ancient City Station/Pingyao Station (closer) 🎫🎫 Tickets: Entry to the ancient city is free, while a combined ticket for attractions within the city costs 125 yuan. ⚠️⚠️ Tips: 🎈🎈: The ancient city is quite large. Renting an electric scooter is recommended. Park it near the iron fence in the central area and walk around. Alternatively, if you're with a group, you can rent a sightseeing car (100 yuan per car) for a tour. 💥 Must-See Attractions: 1️⃣ Yungang Grottoes: A World Cultural Heritage site and a pinnacle of Chinese intricate aesthetics. After thousands of years, regardless of changing times and circumstances, the Yungang Grottoes still stand quietly, facing every visitor and offering a breathtaking visual feast. 2️⃣ Hanging Temple: A marvel from 1,500 years ago, this ancient temple is located on a cliff in Shanxi. Described as a "magnificent sky-high building, exquisite and breathtaking," the Hanging Temple is not large in scale, but its mechanical and aesthetic achievements on the cliff are truly amazing. Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake called it a "grand spectacle of the world." 3️⃣ Pingyao Ancient City: Located in the old town of Pingyao County, Jinzhong City, it is the most complete ancient county town existing in China. Shaped like a turtle, it is also known as Turtle City.