Founded in the 14th century, Ping Yao was granted the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The region has been inhabited since the Neolithic times. An urban settlement emerged in the area during the Western Zhou dynasty. The city was at its best during the Ming Dynasty. The layout and the walls of the city are typical of the cities of the era of Ming Dynasty. Visitors will surely be awe-struck with the narrow lanes, rooftops and courtyards.

The city walls of Ping Yao were built in 1370 AD and have been excellently preserved. These walls surround the city for about 6Km and are around 12 meters tall and 5 meters deep. There are six fortified gates in the wall and were built to ensure the security of the city.

Ping Yao protects a number of cultural monuments of significance to the nation including six large temples. The County Administrative Building contains artifacts and elements from the 14th to 19th centuries. The City Tower is the tallest structure in this ancient city. The Hui Ji Bridge is another well-preserved structure built from stone. The Tian Ji Xiang Museum in Ping Yao has a small collection of artifacts depicting the history of the city. The Richangshen Exchange Shop is the first private bank of China established in the city in 1823.

The closest masjid to the Ping Yao city is in Taiyuan about 2 hours ride from Ping Yao. It is better for visitors to carry Halal food as availability of same in the area is not confirmed.