The Pingyao Ancient City Wall

The Pingyao Ancient City Wall

　The Pingyao Ancient City Wall has a history of more than 2,700 years. And it still keeps its original¹ style and size.

　Made of brick and stone, the wall is about 6 kilometres long, 12 metres high and 3 to 6 metres wide at the top. It has 72 watchtowers and about 3,000 battlements². Only one of the four corner watchtowers, the Great Scholar Tower, is still standing today. The other three fell down a long time ago.

　A deep and wide river runs around the city wall, only allowing people to go into the city through bridges and gates. There is one gate each on the northern and southern sides, and two on the eastern and western sides. So Pingyao Ancient City got the name “Turtle City” because it is similar to the structure of the animal.

　Walking on the wall is a great way to enjoy Pingyao Ancient City. Are you ready to go?

Notes:

1. original adj. 起初的 2. battlement n. 城垛