While staying in Shanxi Province in China, I was able to visit Pingyao Ancient City. Pingyau was built in 1370 AD during the Ming Dynasty and declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1997. It is the largest built and most preserved ancient city in Shanxi Province.

The perimeter of the city is a fortress with 40-foot walls that are 16-feet deep. The wall’s circumference is 4 miles with 72 watchtowers, and 3000 battlements. Pingyao contains a labyrinth of streets and courtyards, with countless shops for buying goods and souvenirs. Most of these items are marketed for tourists and can be found in shops all over China including carved jade, porcelain, cast metal objects, prints, watercolors, enamelware, lacquered objects, silk textiles, and edged weapons. I noticed a few items that were unique to Pingyau like “animal” pelts dyed to look like tigers or leopards.

As I walked the narrow streets, the city appeared ancient in every way. However, I would periodically see something like a hand painted wood sign suspended by wire with the words “Skype” and “CD Burning” and I was reminded that 21st Century amenities do exist here.

The Imperial Japanese Army once occupied Shanxi Province and I thought there might be a chance of finding some Japanese militaria. I located several authentic cavalry swords and countless Arisaka bayonets, but they were all in poor condition with heavy pitting and damage. I was not able to find Japanese insignia, field gear, or uniform items.

There were swords in practically every shop, but almost all of them were fantasy pieces, made to look like an antique Japanese or Chinese sword. Most of the swords wouldn’t fool an experienced militaria or sword collector because the fittings were junk and the blades were clumsy and poorly crafted.

I noticed one sword that was a fairly convincing representation of an original WWII Japanese NCO sword. It was made to look like a first pattern sword with a stamped copper handle, machined blade, and enamel painted steel scabbard. Since original NCO swords were machine made, they are much easier to reproduce than traditionally made swords. The noticeable problems with this sword included a scabbard and handle painted with the wrong paint and color, a crude locking mechanism, and the Arabic numerals used to stamp the blade and scabbard throat were not in the correct place, nor were they the correct font. This sword could have easily fooled a person lacking the experience of owning or handling authentic examples.

Since I glanced at this sword for more than a few seconds, the shop owner saw opportunity and sprang towards me with her calculator wanting to negotiate price. I explained that I was not interested in buying a sword, but she persisted and said I could have it for 350 Yuan. This is less than fifty dollars and I could have easily haggled another 50% percent off the price without any effort. This is actually not a terrible deal considering that copper handled NCO swords sell in the US for well over $1000.00 in nice condition.

Shanxi province is known for beautifully crafted lacquered objects. After sampling several dishes at a local restaurant, I followed my entourage down the street to a lacquer shop that was recommended by our guide for nicer quality lacquered products. It was in this shop that I made my first souvenir purchase, a small lacquered jewelry box with hand painted cherry blossoms.

Chris is a WorthPoint Worthologist.

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Tags: china, Chris Hughes, flea market, market, Shanxi

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 at 6:55 pm and is filed under Articles, Blog Entry. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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5 Responses to “Shopping in Pingyau”

1. tomcarrier says:

   January 22, 2008 at 12:03 am

   What a great visit, Chris. I like boxes and the black lacquer one you got is a great souvenir. What a different place China must be, except for the 21st century ‘amenities’. Somehow, the whole world can feel like your own backyard.

   Thanks for sharing. I’ve enjoyed the show.

   Tom

   Reply
2. Tanya Xin says:

   January 23, 2008 at 2:45 am

   I spent several days there last
   April. Other than the local food, I was also fascinated by the art in
   architecture, buildings’ layout in the city and the nice people I encountered.
   With pictures enlarged, you can see how "delicate” the craftsmanship
   there.

   the street

   

   a hotel

   

   through my window

    

   

   

   stone carving(?) on top of a house, there
   are clouds/sun/ocean/dragons and phoenixes which represent fortune, prosperity
   and longevity.

   

   a restaurant

   

    

    

   
   

   Reply
3. ThomPattie says:

   January 22, 2008 at 4:31 pm

   Hi Tanya,

   I don’t seem to be able to view your photos or links. Thom

   Reply
4. Tanya Xin says:

   January 23, 2008 at 2:59 am

   I asked site admin to help delete my previous post. I am sorry that I cannot upload pictures larger than 100 KB. But I would very much like to share larger pictures with anyone that are interested. I have to admit that only with larger ones can one appreciate them in the real sense. They are originally 500 KB with 1200*1600 in size.

   Thanks,
   Tanya

   Reply
5. ThomPattie says:

   January 23, 2008 at 5:02 pm

   Great photographs, I can certainly see how the architecture would absorb you… Beautiful…Thom

   Reply