Pingyao

Today we are leaving Pingyao for either Wutai Shan or Lijiashan.  We can't really decide where we are going to go... so we're just going to make a decision once we get to the bus station.  A quick recap on Pingyao- IT IS BEAUTIFUL :)

 

Pingyao is an ancient walled in city as I had previously mentioned.  It is absolutely huge and has such a rich history.  You can take a walk on the wall around the whole entire city.  Keith and I hardly made it halfway because it was getting dark out and we were already walking for about an hour and a half (and only made it halfway... I told you.. its huge!)

Inside the city there is an interesting mix of museums (temples/old government residences/buildings/etc) all mixed in between shops and alleys where people actually live.  The city thrived off of tourism, but regardless the city has been preserved and still stands as a beautiful representation of the ancient past.  I truly wish I could post pictures because the city was absolutely stunning.  The food is also really good- dumplings are the staple as well as a variety of noodle dishes.  I think I found my favorite dish which is cooked spinach with pine nuts and an added spice that gives it a little kick!

 

A few more thoughts on what I have seen so far:
Smoking: Smoking is allowed everywhere and I guess I am surprised at how many people smoke.  People smoked on the overnight train, they smoke at hotels, at restaurants-pretty much everywhere.
Dogs: I have seen so many dogs on the streets.  Its hard to tell whether they are strays or someones, but they  simply wander around and are very useful because they eat scraps from the garbage which helps with the trash that you can see outside piled in the streets.

I don't know when I will have internet next, but I'm excited to see the upcoming towns that we are going to be visiting!