Pingyao is a small city in Shanxi province, China. It is known for its well-preserved ancient city walls, traditional architecture, and the ancient banking system that originated in the city.

The city is most famous for its city walls which were first built during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), and later expanded and fortified during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The walls are about 6 km long and contain 72 watchtowers and four main gates. They are one of the most well-preserved ancient city walls in China and are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Another popular attraction in Pingyao is the Rishengchang Exchange House, which is a former bank and the oldest known banking establishment in China. It was founded during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and played an important role in the country's economy for over a century. The bank was famous for its remittance system which was used to transfer money across long distances.

The city also has many well-preserved traditional buildings and courtyards which are a great example of ancient Chinese architecture. Many of these buildings date back to the Ming and Qing dynasties and are open to the public as museums.