平遙古城

張恒

The past prosperity1 of Shanxi lies in Pingyao， while the soul of Pingyao lies in its Old City. Founded during the Western Zhou Dynasty （1046～771 BC） and rebuilt in 1370， the Ancient City of Pingyao is nowadays one of Chinas four best preserved old cities together with Lijiang Old Town， Huizhou Ancient City and Langzhong Ancient City. It has no charming view， green mountain or clear waters. There is the well-preserved ancient city， traditional buildings and time-honored2 shops. In 1997， it was regarded as a world cultural heritage3.

山西過去的繁榮在于平遙，而平遙的靈魂在于它的老城。平遙古城始建于西周（公元前1046年～公元前771年），1370年重建，并連同麗江古城、惠州古城和閬中古城并稱為當今中國四大保存最完好的古城。它沒有迷人的景觀、綠色的山峰或清澈的海水。但這里有保存完好的古城、傳統民居和歷史悠久的商鋪。1997年，它被列為了世界文化遺產。

Ancient Ming-Qing Street （South Street）

If you want to have a look at the past prosperity of the Pingyao Ancient City， you should not miss the Ancient Ming-Qing Street. It has been the busiest commercial block of the city for hundreds of years. This 450-yard-long street gathers around 80 ancient stores， including exchange shops， pawnshops4， security guard companies and other handicraft workshops. Walking along the Ming-Qing Street you may feel like being back in the crowded market in the old days. Not only can you view old and beautiful buildings， but also buy specialties5， snacks and souvenirs there.

古代明清街（南街）

如果想看看平遙古城過去的繁榮景象，你不可錯過古代明清街。數百年來，它一直是城中最繁忙的商業街區之一。這條450碼長的街道匯集了80家古店，包括票號、當鋪、鏢局和其他手工作坊。沿著明清街走，你會覺得自己回到了古代擁擠的集市上，不僅可以觀賞古雅的建筑，還可以在那里購買特產、小吃和紀念品。

Rishengchang Exchange Shop

The nearly 200-year-old Rishengchang Exchange Shop， located near the center of the Ancient City， is the first “bank” in Chinas history and is known as the “Father of the Bank in China”. It once controlled the lifeblood6 of the nations economy in the Qing Dynasty （1644～1911）， with more than 30 branches throughout the country. It is now an Exchange Shop Museum， presenting historical items and local style of buildings. There you can know the development of Chinas banks and Jin Merchants， a famous business group in Shanxi Province.

日升昌票號

位于古城中心附近，有近200年歷史的日升昌票號是中國歷史上第一家“銀行”，被譽為“中國銀行之父”，曾經控制著清朝（1644～1911年）的國家經濟命脈，在全國有30多家分號。它現在是一個交易所博物館，展示歷史遺物和當地建筑風格。在那里你可以了解中國銀行業和山西省著名商業集團晉商的發展情況。

Temple of Confucius7

This is the most important place where people show their respect to Confucius， a famous educator who founded Confucianism. With an area of 10，000 square yards （8，361 square meters）， it is the best preserved Confucius Temple in China. This temple was also a state-run academy8 in the olden days. At that time， the dream of most scholars was to serve as an official. Taking the imperial9 examination was the only way for them to gain the title. There is an exhibition in the fifth court of the temple， introducing the development and the history of the old examination.

孔廟

這里是人們表達對孔子敬意最重要的地點。孔子是一位創建了儒學的著名教育家。這座孔廟面積達10000平方碼（8361平方米），是中國保存最完好的孔廟。這座寺廟在過去也是一所國立學院。當時，大多數學者的夢想是做官，科舉考試是他們獲得功名的唯一途徑。在寺廟的第五宮有一個展覽，介紹科舉考試的發展和歷史。

Notes：

1. prosperity n. 繁榮，成功

2. time-honored adj. 歷史悠久的；因古老而受到尊重的

3. heritage n. 遺產；傳統 4. pawnshop n. 當鋪

5. specialty n. 特產；特性；招牌菜

6. lifeblood n. 生機的根源；生命必須的血液；命脈

7. Confucius n. 孔子（中國哲學家，教育家）

8. state-run academy國家學院

9. imperial adj. 帝國的；皇帝的；至高無上的