My trip to China / First day in Pingyao #Part 7

Dear Steemians and followers,

Today features the second part of the first day in Pingyao Town after the previous blog in which I related our visit at the Wang Family courtyard which was the biggest ownership in China.

Here we start with the

Answer to the previous question:

• The movie shot there was "Raise the Red Lantern" directed by Zhang Yimou. The movie was nominated by the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Movie. It was awarded with the Silver Lion at the Mostra de Venecia in 1992 and with the Grand Prix by the Belgian Films Association in 1993

After the visit of this fabulous site we returned to Pingyao for lunch and went on to see the highlghts of the town in the afternoon.

The Rampart of Pingyao Town:

One the first impression you might get by seeing below pictures is that there is an anomaly. The site is impressive and really grand. With the group we made the half of the tour which is 6.2 Km, so we made 3.1 Km on the rampart.

Indeed, though China is the country with the highest amount of inhabitants in the world with 1.5 Billion people, there was the feeling of being alone in the world while making the walk on this monument. One explanation is that the access on this area is only possible against an entry fee and this also avoids some act of vandalism amongst others. As the town is part of the World Legacy of the UNESCO the government and the states are aware that they have an very important role to play in keeping the historic sites intact.

As you can see on the first picture the stairs are divided by a char transportation access for goods, animals. The larger stairs were dedicated to the officers and the very important people of the town, the smallest part for farmers, soldiers and population. There was also a hierchization in the use of the stairs.

Following image shows the place in front of the access of the rampart. As you can see there was not much going on with only very few people in the sector.

Next images show how long the walk from one curve to another one is. As you can imagine the group of prior image was no longer in our sight and we had the first time an area for us alone. It was really nice.

After a while an going next to the mini-protection towers, we arrived at this sector where tables and stools were. It was for discussions and negotiation purpose of the officers. The decisions could have been about the development of the town in the economic aspects or also about war and peace. I can only imagine what the use was.

These pictures represent the quarters of Pingyao Town in the back. You can see that the electricity and climatization are really fragile and are not built like we are used to know in the Western Countries.

Some other impressions of the Rampart with a view on the town.

Sometimes you try to make good pics and find yourself on the picture. I wanted to sease the beautiful representation of a war scene that was important for the City.

Here is one guard who had to keep an eye on the inner-city. The other guard had is eye on the outer-city. This was to ensure the security as well against outter and inner feuds as the danger could come from everywhere. The temple or tower was where the Officers were residing, I hope I do not give wrong information.

An view on Pingyao Town main street. As you can see the most important part of the life happens their, especially at night.

A last sight on the inner of the rampart. I really appreciated walking there and making pictures. It was definitively the only moment of calm, it was like being in another world.

A view on the opposite side. As you can see there are a lot of vehicles though the Town itself looks like a walker only zone. It is right as the gas driven cars are only allowed in the historic center in the early morning and not so late evening when it is time to go or come back from work.

Okay (lol) this time is really the last sight in the inner part of the rampart.

To end some pics I had the pleasure to make, one was made by a masseuse of the City while our group enjoyed its first free time to endeavour the city and nightlife. I went on to go in a Massage Center to make a cupping, it was great and it really helps eliminating negative things from the body to get relaxed. I wanted to share this impression with you.

The price is very attractive compared with what is practiced in Western Countries. I paid 30 Renmibies for the 20 minutes session and 50 for toe nail cutting and massage which equival to 11.00 €. In Europe you easily pay 150.00 € for the three services together.

Actually, this stay in Pingyao inspired for the next part of the journey and stays in the remaining towns wherever and whenever possible. Curiosity is the best friend of the adventurers and this is what I am going to show you in the upcoming days.

A blog would not be a blog without

The question of the day:

• Which industry is the biggest employer in the area?

I hope that you enjoyed this part and to inspire you to go to China. We all have one life and need to live it to the max. in order to never get regrets.

Stay tuned for another episode with a special feature.

Yours
@joel0101