Pingyao city wall was constructed in the West Zhou Dynasty (827—728 B.C) when General Yin Jipu stationed his troops here to prevent an invasion of barbarians. The original walls were of tamped earth and were located northwest of the present city.Pingyao city, originally named Pingtao, was built in the early Northern Wei Dynasty. In 424, its name was changed to Pingyao. Over the centuries its walls were rebuilt and lengthened from 9 li plus eighteen paces to over 12 li, (6.4 kilometers).