NB I’ve managed to edit and upload the “ghost wall” video, at the bottom of day 6 page
Pingyao is an ancient city, walled, in Shanxi, founded in the Qin period (200BC) though existed in 1000BC but has a history dating more than 2800 years, It became a major regional financial hub around the 16th century
Today we are off to walk the walls and wander the streets
We ended walking about 2 miles around the walls, maybe 1/3 or so of the total perimeter. Broad flat walkway but only 18” wall on the inside with a 30ft drop!
An assortment of roof furniture, note imitation watchtower
We then visited a Confucius Temple Museum and Escort Agency. Despite the suggestive name essentially it was like Securicor, an Agency for Escorting valuables, ie armed guards. Essential in a financial hub like Pingyao
Pingyao is celebrated for its beef, and aged vinegar. (As well as yesterday’s Shanxi noodles). So for lunch we had local beef in aged vinegar, very tender and tasty
I struck up a sort of a conversation on Translate App with chap selling vinegar! Nearly bought some except for transport issues. Aged, a little like Balsamic, and Apple Cider vinegar, both good
Finally we bought some local mooncakes (I think) different from usual, flat disks, less filling and drier. Also sessame biscuits like Indian puri, crispy, coated in sesame seeds and slightly sweet
And tonight off to see a light show projected on the walls…