Ming Qing Street is one of the top attractions in Pingyao which remains the architecture style of Ming and Qing Dynasties. The ancient street was built in the year of 1856 and had been the most prosperous business hub of Pingyao County since its establishment.

Not very wide, the Ancient Ming Qing Street was the noisiest center of business. All the shops on both sides showed Ming and Qing architecture style built with bricks and stones. In the past, the merchants in Shanxi regarded this street as the golden places for business, so Ming Qing Street played an important role in the politics, economy and culture in ancient China. There are various kinds of shops arranged along the road including the exchange shops such as Baichuantong, Xietongaing; silks and satins shops such as Kuichengyu, Yongtaicheng; Chinese pharmacies such as Yunjincheng, etc. Now the well-preserved shops still express the local features and styles of that period, as well as the brilliant culture of the town.

While stepping into the Ancient Ming Qing Street, visitors will not only feel the atmosphere of the flourishing businesses formerly but also appreciate the real ancient building designs of Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the center of this street there stands a tall pavilion called City Building. Along with the City Wall, this building has witnessed the long history of Pingyao Ancient City. To the southeast of the pavilion, there hidden a well called the 'Golden Well Building'. It is said that the color of the water in this well is similar to the gold, so got the name.

Ming Qing Street experienced several times of reconstruction and now it becomes the top attraction in Pingyao city. In the street visitors could find hotels offering traditional brick-oven beds; restaurants serving local Pingyao food; various kinds of souvenir shops selling art wares including antiques, furniture, ancient coins, Chinese paintings, jade ware, lacquer ware and traditional folk clothing. Most of them still remain exactly as they were for centuries.

The Ming Qing Street is listed as a key spot under provincial cultural protection. With long history, best-preserved Ming and Qing architectures, various kinds of restaurants and souvenir shops and rich culture of ancient China, a visit to Ancient Ming Qing Street will absolutly make a lasting impression on your mind.