A stone tablet in Pingyao ancient city reads "Turtles inherit Long Mai". I don't know what this means.

The word "turtle bearing Long Mai" is usually used to describe the structure and layout of Pingyao ancient city. The overall shape of Pingyao ancient city is like a turtle, with six city gates symbolizing turtle's limbs, the south gate being the turtle's head, two wells outside the south city being the turtle's eyes, the north gate being the turtle's tail, the upper, lower, east and west gates symbolizing its limbs, the south street being the turtle's spine, and the north and south streets being scattered in an "S" shape, making the "God Turtle" shake its head and wag its tail.

"Tortoise inherits Long Mai" expresses two images: first, it emphasizes the special geographical location and urban planning of Pingyao ancient city, that is, the urban form is designed according to a mysterious totem, which embodies China's ancient world outlook and geomantic outlook; Secondly, it may also represent the historical and cultural value of the city, because in the traditional culture of China, dragons and turtles are mascots symbolizing power and longevity. Therefore, "turtle inherits Long Mai" may mean that Pingyao ancient city bears the context and historical inheritance of this city.