The Mingqing Street in Pingyao Ancient Town stretches 750 meters (2460 ft.) in length with almost one hundred shops and local houses built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The traditional shops and houses are still well preserved. They were all built with bricks and stones completely using the style of Ming and Qing architecture. As such they are representatives of most ancient buildings in China that still survive and offer a stark contrast to the architecture employed today.
Since the early 19th century, the ancient Mingqing Street has served as the strategic gathering place for businessmen of Shanxi. Reputed as the "Wall Street of China", the street collects headquarters of more than 20 exchange companies, taking up 50% throughout China in its golden days. No it is located at the South Street in Pingyao and is the city's most important heritage.
Today the Ancient Mingqing Street is home to the biggest antique market in the province. All kinds of trading take place along the street. In addition to souvenirs, tourists will enjoy sampling some of the numerous local snacks, including noodles, specially seasoned beef, as well as tasty Wantuo.
The Mingqing Streets is very well arranged. Dotted with memorial archways and sculptures, the old houses and courtyards flanking the streets and lanes remind visitors of the long past and their ancestral places. Walking along the Mingqing Streets, you seem to have landed in a world beyond the present one, and imagine how dynamic and prosperous the Shanxi Commercial Group once was.