Pingyao is one of the few Ming/Qing dynasty cities that has stayed intact despite years of instability in China, followed by rapid development.  The kids are standing on the Pingyao city wall and beyond them you can see the old city. At top are two pictures of our lovely guesthouse, the Tian Yuan Kui Guesthouse, which is still owned by the original family.  It was a perfect place to eat some of Shanxi’s famous noodles and relax between sightseeing. The traditional style Qing home is known for its numerous courtyards, where each nuclear unit would live with all kinds of rules regarding the most auspicious location in the house.  I think we may have been in the first son’s area of the house--Not bad!  The center of the city has a few main streets with lots of shopping to be done.  On the right are some shoemakers.  Each of the girls bought a pair of embroidered silk slippers to bring home.