World Cultural Heritage: The Ancient City of Ping Yao (5)

Traditional cultural characteristics of the Han ethnic group:

The Ancient City of Ping Yao was established in accordance with the traditional architectural style and planning ideal of the Han ethnic group. It epitomizes the historical and cultural characteristics of the Han people from the 14th century to the 19th century, and has important value in the research of the social pattern, economic structure, military defense, religion, traditional ideology, and the way people lived in this period.

Well-preserved ancient residential communities:

Documents and material objects proved that The Ancient City of Ping Yao has basically retained its original structure since it was reconstructed during the reign of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1370). The main residential areas in the city were constructed during the period from 1840 to 1911. The symmetrical residential construction has a rigorous layout, a clear axis, a clear distinction between primary and secondary units, an undulating contour and a closed appearance. There are also delicate wood carvings, brick carvings and stone sculptures accompanied by lifelike paper-cuts for window decorations with a strong local flavor. These are the best-preserved ancient residential communities of the Han people by far.

Developed financial city:

The Ancient City of Ping Yao was one of the developed financial cities in the late 19th century, and had the most influential headquarters of bill firms and the headquarters of the financial industry. It was also the most concentrated place of the headquarters of financial enterprises and once influenced and controlled the financial industry of China in modern times. The Ancient City of Ping Yao has had a positive impact on China’s modern economic development during the prosperity 100 years of bill firms.