Pingyao is a famous historic city. It beat out three other ancient Chinese cities, Langzhong City in Sichuan Province, Lijiang in Yunnan Province and She County in Anhui Province, to become the only ancient city in the country to be included as a protected historic site by UNESCO.
Twenty years ago, the Ancient City of Pingyao was officially listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.
Located in the center of Shanxi Province, Pingyao is the hometown of Jin merchants, a group of businessmen who actively dominated a booming commodity market throughout China for more than 500 years, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Following China’s reform and opening-up in the 1980s, Pingyao struggled with the change from a managed economy to the current market-oriented economy. During this time, the city government started to find new ways to better economy.
Finally in the winter of 1997, opportunity came knocking. Through the efforts of Zheng Xiaoxie, Luo Zhewen, Ruan Yisan and four other government officials, Pingyao earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, which caused the entire world to take notice of the city.
Since the city’s fame has risen, locals in Pingyao have deepened their understanding of the conservation efforts protecting the historical relics in their hometown. Currently, the city is focused on starting a sustainable industry that will enable it to continue to grow while also protecting its relics and introducing them to the world.
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