Pingyao Town is located in the northern suburbs of Hangzhou, the midwest part of Yuhang District. It has always been known as “the Land of Culture, the Land of Abundance, and the Land of Fish and Rice” as well as “the Shining Pearl of the North”. It is the core place where the Archeological Ruins of Liangzhu Culture, the proof of the 5000-year-old Chinese civilization is located. Pingyao Town is the north gate of Hangzhou and has been a strategic military place for past dynasties. 

The ancient town has a history of over 1,000 years and is home to “the First City of China”, Liangzhu Culture Relic group including Fanshan, the famous Nanshan Mountain inscriptions on precipices from the Yuan Dynasty, and Yaoshan Mountain Folk Kiln relics from the Song Dynasty.

Pingyao Ancient Town features the typical layout of a traditional Chinese Jiangnan town, with water running under bridges. These bridges are of different shapes and have interesting names and historical legends. The zigzag lanes, which were called “Eighteen Lanes” in ancient times, run through the town, connecting eighteen ancient wells and kilns. Now, in the south suburban area of Pingyao are still well preserved ancient relics like inscriptions on the precipices and the Beihu Caodang* (北湖草荡).

*Caodang refers to a grassy shallow lake.

The over 13000-square-meter intangible culture exhibition hall located at the south side of Qu'nan Street (渠南街) in Pingyao Town displays oil umbrella making, jade carving, kite making, ceramics making, and other techniques that prevailed in ancient times and even now, and outstanding works will be displayed.