Plan your Pingyao tour? Pingyao is now easily accessible by high speed trains (apart from the regular trains) coming from Taiyuan, Datong, Beijing, Xian, Luoyang and other cities in China, making it an even hotter travel destination.
There are two railway stations in Pingyao. If you take the high speed train, you will arrive at Pingyao Ancient Railway Station 平遥古城站 (a new station); if you take the regular train, you will arrive at Pingyao Railway Station 平遥站 ( the old station).
Pingyao Ancient Railway Station is located about 8 km to the southwest of Pingyao Ancient City; Pingyao Railway Station is located about only 1 km to the northwest of the ancient walled city of Pingyao.
You should be always on the right station no matter you arrive at or leave from Pingyao.
Pingyao Railway Station 平遥站
Pingyao Railway Station is located about 1000 meters to the northwest of the ancient walled city of Pingyao, 1200 meters to the southwest of Pingyao Bus Station. Pingyao Railway Station was originally built in 1934. Now it is a two-storey building with a square outside its entrance.
The trains going to Pingyao Railway Station mostly come from Taiyuan, Datong and other cities within the province of Shanxi; also from Beijing, Luoyang, Xian and other cities in China. Most of the trains in and out are passing by normal day or overnight trains.
So it is relatively difficult to get your train tickets here in Pingyao. It is advisable to book your train tickets well in advance from your departing cities of Beijing and Xian, especially during the tourist high season.
When you arrive at Pingyao Railway Station, you may taxi to the West Gate of the Walled Pingyao ancient city ( about RMB10 taxi fare) or walk to the west gate of the ancient city.
If you want to walk to the walled ancient city of Pingyao, you just go straight from Pingyao Railway Station along Shuncheng Street (顺城路), then turn left at the first crossroad to the east direction along the Lower Xiguan Street (下西关街) .
Arriving at the west gate, you can manage to walk to your hotel in the walled city or making use of an electric car carrying you luggage for your lodging hotel.
If you insist on taking a bus from Pingyao Railway Station, it is just a breeze and you may take the local public buses: No 1, No 102, 103 and 108. Get on from Pingyao Railway Station and get off at the third stop of North Gate （北门口）of the walled ancient city of Pingyao.
Almost all the hotels within the walled city of Pingyao offer free transfer between station or bus station and hotel transfer to alleviate the hustle involved.
Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station 平遥古城站
The high speed trains in Pingyao use Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station （平遥古城站）instead of Pingyao Railway Station. So don’t confuse Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station with Pingyao Railway Station. Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station is located 8 km to the southwest of Pingyao Ancient City.
If you take the high speed train to Pingyao from Beijing, Xian, Datong or Taiyuan ( or other places), after getting off Pingyao Ancient City Station, you can take bus No. 108, which may take about 45 minutes, and get off at the south gate (ask the driver to remind you). The bus fare is 1 yuan. Or you take a taxi at the rate of 25 yuan for an easy drive to the ancient city.
Tip: Hassle-free Pingyao & Shanxi Guided Tours
If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for organized tours to Pingyao and Shanxi Province:
Pingyao Tour
Pingyao Car Rental with Driver
Datong Tour
Datong Car Rental with Driver
Taiyuan Tour
Taiyuan Car Rental with Driver
Further Readings
How to Visit Pingyao
Best Time to Visit Pingyao
What to see in Pingyao
Where to Stay in Pingyao
How to get to Pingyao by bus
How to get to Pingyao by train
Beijing Pingyao High Speed Train
Pingyao Taxi
Visit Qiao Family Courtyard
How to Visit Zhenguo Temple
How to Visit Shuanglin Temple
How to Visit Wang Family Compound
How to Visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle
How to Visit Lijiashan Village (Tips, Photos & Map)
How to Visit Qikou Ancient Town (Tips, Photos & Map)
The Best Place to See Sunrise in Pingyao Ancient City
Any questions, just drop a line.