Goodbye, I hope the next copy will be "See you again, Pingyao"

Stayed in Pingyao for three days. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t necessary, but since I wasn’t driving and relied on public transportation, it took a bit more time. The climate in Pingyao is a bit better than in Taiyuan—at least it didn’t feel cold, and the wind was lighter. After a few days, I thought it was pretty nice! Arrived at Pingyao South in the afternoon on the first day, took bus line 108 North to Pingyao Station, and stayed nearby. The bus runs about every half hour, which is a bit long! In the evening, I just strolled around the ancient city. Early the next morning, I went to Zhen Guo Temple, a must-visit filming location for the black myth "Wukong." The beauty of Zhen Guo Temple is low-key and profound. There are no fancy decorations, only simple architecture and weathered Buddha statues that naturally calm the mind. It houses the nation’s only Five Dynasties polychrome sculptures. Looking at these millennia-old treasures, imagining the workers’ busy yet exquisite craftsmanship, it’s truly remarkable. The bus goes right to the door, and the bus stop shows departure times, so planning your visit according to the schedule means you won’t miss the bus! The 25 yuan ticket is very worthwhile, and if necessary, hire a guide for explanations! By the time I returned to the ancient city, it was already past 2 pm, so I continued wandering around. There are actually 25 attractions inside, which you can’t fully visit in one go, so just pick a few. The Confucian Temple is worth a visit, and you can also go up the city wall to take a look! I want to complain about the 125 yuan all-access pass... it’s a serious waste! Early on the third day, I went to Shuanglin Temple, a thousand-year-old ancient temple with a 35 yuan ticket. If Pingyao Ancient City is living history, then Shuanglin Temple is the hidden artistic treasure within it. The polychrome sculptures inside the halls are vivid and lifelike, with expressive eyes that seem ready to speak at any moment, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen. There’s also a saying that if you don’t visit Shuanglin Temple, it’s like you haven’t been to Pingyao Ancient City. The Thousand Buddha Hall and the Thousand-Hand Guanyin left a deep impression on me. I don’t know why I stayed the longest at the Thousand-Hand Guanyin; that one eye stayed deeply in my heart. Although all sculptures are behind iron railings, photos have a different feel, but I still hope they can improve this by setting the railings at 1.5 meters high—this would prevent people from getting too close while not blocking the view of the statues! How long you spend at Shuanglin Temple depends on you; some people breeze through in half an hour, but I stayed for three hours. When I returned to the ancient city, I wasn’t really in the mood to explore, so I just walked along the busiest street from Yingxun Tower to City Tower and checked in. I have to say, there are indeed very few people in Pingyao in winter, which makes the experience much better, though it’s still quite commercialized! Summary: The 125 yuan all-access pass for the 25 attractions in Pingyao Ancient City can be bought if you’re interested and have time. Architecture enthusiasts can save time for Shuanglin Temple and Zhen Guo Temple. Prices aren’t very high. Although it’s commercialized, this is the off-season, a very quiet off-season, so you can still find some cost-effective shops that are acceptable. Outside the ancient city, there’s Manle City with many chain restaurants that are pretty good!