Pingyao beef, a specialty of Pingyao County, Shanxi Province, is a national geographical indication product of China.
Pingyao beef has a long-standing reputation, its origins unknown, but it was already renowned throughout Shanxi during the Qing Dynasty. During the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, local resident Lei Jinning and his three generations of descendants established the Xingsheng Lei Beef Shop on Wenmiao Street in the city, a business that lasted for over a century. Towards the end of the Guangxu reign, Ren Dacai and his son Ren Yangwen established the Zilicheng Beef Shop on West Street in the city. Their beef rivaled the Xingsheng Lei beef in quality, both being authentic products.
On December 24, 2003, the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the designation of origin protection for "Pingyao Beef."