was growing rapidly and marked for special focus by local government. Tourism Increases in tourism have put pressure on Pingyao. During China's Golden Weeks, the number of visitors to the city has sometimes been as high as 2½ times its planned maximum capacity. During the single week around May Day in 2007, the town made about 94.5mRMB from visiting tourists. Since that high point in 2007, the government has reduced the number and length of China's "golden weeks", spreading domestic tourism more equitably throughout the year. The Global Heritage Fund has also worked with the Pingyao County People's Government to protect the town against overdevelopment and damage from its high volume of visitors. The stated goal for their Pingyao Cultural Heritage Development Program is improved preservation of local vernacular architecture and traditional arts through improved planning and increased conservation efforts. Culture Local specialties include Pingyao beef (, Píngyáo niúròu) and wantuo (, Píngyáo wǎntuō), a favourite of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Other local products are Changshengyuan rice wine (), bean flour minjian (), and Jiupian (). The silver merchants of Pingyao in the early 20th century were the subject of the 2009 film Empire of Silver. Gallery References External links Official website of Pingyao County Government Pingyao preservation project summary at Global Heritage Fund Explore Pingyao with Google Earth on Global Heritage Network UN World Heritage - Pingyao Well illustrated guide to Pingyao World Heritage Sites in China Cities in Shanxi History of Shanxi Jinzhong AAAAA-rated tourist attractions Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in Shanxi Pingyao County