Greetings from Pingyao. Pingyao is described in the guide book as a town straight off of a film set. Not sure what type of films they have been watching! Not quite what we had expected but still very interesting and in parts a very beautiful place. Surrounded by a complete 10m high wall, that is still in tact, the place is a bit of a fortress. The town itself was the financial centre of the whole of China for years but now curiously doesnt even have a bank. This was a short stop on way to Xian but was so relaxed that it was more than worth it. The hostel here was probably the best accomodation we have stayed in. An authentic Qing dynasty building, it really was just like staying in a museum. There wasnt an awful lot to do in Pingyao so we walked on top of the city walls and did a complete lap. Very interesting, especially seeing all the people going about their business below on the streets. The hostel staff showed us how to make the dumplings we have been eating hundreds off which was good stuff and then just enough time to take in the 'armed escort museum' which was full of pictures of jumping lunatic Chinese warriors who used to escort the money from the financial centres across China. Next stop (after another 12 hours overnight on a train) Xian....