Pingyao. O/N Pingyao.

Ancient City of Pingyao - The guide will meet the operator at the hotel lobby at 09:00 AM to begin the visit to the Ancient City of Pingyao.

As one of the four best-preserved ancient cities in China, the 2,700-year-old Ancient City of Pingyao is renowned for its complete complex of dwellings and shops featuring the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 – 1911). These are arranged along the 400-meter-long Ancient Ming-Qing Street. Located centrally, the Ancient Government Office is built with a symmetrical design. At the Security Guard Company, visitors will learn about the history of the security industry through exhibits of cases, vehicles, and weapons from that era. The guide will also explain the cultural significance of the Rishengchang Exchange Shop, the first private financial institution in China.

City Wall of Pingyao - The tour of Pingyao ancient town begins with a visit to the well-preserved City Wall of Pingyao. The rectangular wall resembles a tortoise, a traditional symbol of longevity. From the wall, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the ancient city of Pingyao.

Ming and Qing Dynasties Street - After descending from the wall, visitors can stroll along the traditional Ming-Qing Street. This narrow street is lined with buildings in ancient Chinese architectural style, which were once firms, exchange shops, and various other shops like teashops, cloth shops, and salt shops. Today, some have been converted into hotels, restaurants, or souvenir shops, while others remain as attractions and museums.

Pingyao Ancient Government Office - Next, the tour includes a visit to the Pingyao Ancient Government Office, located in the center of the ancient city for over 600 years. Spanning about 26,000 square meters (31,095 square yards), it features many grand courtyards and buildings. The Security Guard Company is also noteworthy as it serves as a museum showcasing the development of ancient Chinese security guards.

Rishengchang Former Bank - After lunch, the tour proceeds to Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop and Tong Xing Gong. Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop is the first money exchange shop in China and the founder of Chinese modern banks, playing a significant role in Chinese financial business for about a century. Tong Xing Gong provided private escort services for the exchange shops to ensure safety during transportation.

Pingyao - Datong by train. O/N Datong.

Pingyao County - The guide will meet the operator at the Pingyao hotel lobby around 09:00 AM. The operator will be escorted to the renowned Wang Family’s Compound, approximately a 1.5-hour drive away.

Wang’s Family Compound (Wang Jia Dayuan) - This large and magnificent architectural complex, originally built around 250 years ago, is located in Lingshi County, Shanxi Province, 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Pingyao Ancient City. Constructed between 1762-1811 by the Wang Family descendants, the compound impresses with its size and beautiful ornamental structures. It resembles a mini walled city with over 200 courtyards, each with unique features. Intricately carved wood doors, window casings, stairways, and stone carvings are found throughout the courtyards.

Zhangbi Ancient Castle - After lunch, the tour continues to Zhangbi Ancient Fortress, where visitors can explore the maze-like underground tunnels. Unlike the compounds and ancient city, Zhangbi Ancient Fortress is an exception to Shanxi merchants’ culture. To resist enemy invasions, Chinese ancestors utilized geographic advantages to build a 10,000-meter-long underground military tunnel with three floors in the village. Zhangbi Ancient Fortress is a complex of historical relics, tombs, residences, and tunnels, with the labyrinth-like underground tunnels being the most intriguing.

Taiyuan East Railway Station - After lunch, the operator will be driven to Taiyuan Railway Station to board a train to Datong. The train journey takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival in Datong, the operator will be picked up and transferred to the Datong hotel (driver only, no guide).

Datong. O/N Datong.

Datong - In the morning, the guide will meet the operator at the Datong hotel at 9 AM and drive one hour to the Hanging Monastery.

Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si) - The famous Hanging Monastery appears as a grand relief embedded on a steep cliff. Walking along the hanging walkways to visit each hall of the temple offers a thrilling experience. It is unique in that it worships the hierarchs of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism together.

Ying Xian Wooden Pagoda - Next, a car ride to Yingxian County will allow visitors to see the renowned Wooden Pagoda. It is the oldest wooden tower in China, standing for nearly 1,000 years, and was constructed without using a single nail.

Baicaokoucun - Due to the often-hostile nomadic tribes to the north, some regions of Shanxi Province were vital battlefields in the past. After lunch, the journey continues to the military fortresses in rural areas. The first stop is the Guangwu Fort, with tall walls surrounding the present Guangwu Village. Following this, the guide will accompany the operator on a one-hour hike on the wild Baicaokou Great Wall, which has witnessed the great changes of history and retains its original appearance. Afterward, a 2-hour car ride will return the operator to the hotel.

Datong - Beijing by train. O/N Beijing.

Datong - In the morning, the guide will meet the operator at 9 AM at the Datong hotel and transfer to Yungang Grottoes, a 30-minute drive, 16 km away.

Yungang Grottoes - Upon arrival at the Yungang Grottoes, the guide will accompany the operator to view more than 59,000 solemn Buddha statues made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 - 534). Considered a treasure house of Buddhist arts, the Yungang Grottoes took over 70 years to reach their current scale. The sculptures integrate the superb artistry of the Northern Wei and showcase an atmospheric and imperial style. The magnificent scene is sure to astonish visitors.

Huayan Temple of Datong - After admiring the sculptural arts of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the guide will lead the operator to Huayan Monastery to appreciate the architectural style from the Liao Dynasty (907 - 1125). A statue of Bodhisattva with a grin on her face stands out from the rest.

Datong Railway Station Parking Lot - Finally, the operator will be driven to Datong Railway Station to board a train to Beijing. The train journey takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival in Beijing, the operator will be picked up and transferred to the Beijing hotel (driver only, no guide).

Beijing. O/N Beijing.

Beijing - At 09:00 AM, the guide will meet the operator at the Beijing hotel lobby to start a 1-day Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven city tour.

Forbidden City-The Palace Museum - The tour begins with a visit to the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, or Gu Gong in Chinese. Located at the city center of Beijing, it served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). It was constructed over 14 years during the reign of Emperor Chengzu in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Ancient Chinese astronomers believed the Purple Star (Polaris) was at the center of heaven, where the Heavenly Emperor resided in the Purple Palace. The emperor’s palace on earth was thus called the Purple City, and entry was forbidden without special permission from the emperor, hence the name ‘The Purple Forbidden City,’ commonly known as ‘The Forbidden City.’

Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan) - Next, the tour proceeds to Jingshan Park, a beautiful royal landscape garden. Covering an area of 57 acres (about 230,000 square meters), the park is located on the central point of the city’s south-north axis and faces the north gate of the Forbidden City. It is situated on Jingshan Hill, originally named Wansui Hill (Long Live Hill), Zhen Hill, or Meishan Hill (Coal Hill). The mid-summit of the hill is the highest point in Beijing, offering a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.

Tiananmen Square (Tiananmen Guangchang) - The tour then heads to Tiananmen Square, a large plaza near the center of Beijing named after the Tiananmen (literally translated as the “Gate of Heavenly Peace”). It is located to the city’s north, separating it from the Forbidden City. As a symbol, it holds great cultural significance, having been the site of several key events in Chinese history.

Temple of Heaven - After lunch, the tour visits The Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven, a complex of Taoist buildings situated in southeastern urban Beijing, known as the Xuanwu District. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvests. It is regarded as a Taoist temple, although Chinese Heaven worship by the reigning monarch “one day” predates Taoism. The Temple of Heaven is a must-see attraction in Beijing!

Beijing - At the end, the guide will escort the operator to the Beijing hotel.

Beijing. O/N Beijing.

Beijing - In the morning, the tour guide will meet the operator at the hotel lobby at 9:00 AM and transfer to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a 90-minute drive, 80 km away.

Mutianyu Great Wall - Upon reaching the Mutianyu Great Wall, the operator will take the chairlift up and toboggan down. The Great Wall at Mutianyu was built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and is one of the most famous sections of the Wall. Visitors can explore the ancient structure and learn the history and facts that make it so renowned. The professional guide will answer any questions and share exclusive stories and facts about the Mutianyu Great Wall.

Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling) - At 1:00 PM, the operator will enjoy lunch at a local countryside restaurant before heading to the Ming Tombs. The Ming Tombs are located in Changping County, about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing’s urban area. The site is a tomb cluster of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including 13 emperor’s mausoleums, seven tombs for concubines, and one grave for eunuchs. Situated at the foot of Mount Yan, the surrounding area is exceptionally beautiful.

Beijing - At the end, the guide will escort the operator to the Beijing hotel.

Beijing. The tour ends.

Beijing - The tour guide and driver will meet the operator at the Beijing hotel at 9:00 AM and drive to the Beijing Lama Temple, an 18-minute drive, 6 km away.

Lama Temple (Yonghegong) - Discover the best of Beijing on this 1-day private sightseeing tour. The day begins at the serene Lama Temple, where visitors can learn about the site’s fascinating history. The Yonghe Temple, also known as the Yonghe Lamasery or popularly as the Lama Temple, is a temple and monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism located in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China. The temple’s building and artwork combine Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) - Afterwards, the tour heads to the expansive Summer Palace, covering an area of 2.9 square kilometers, three-quarters of which is water: Kunming Lake. This artificial lake was created by extending an existing body of water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou. Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, the Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the downtown area. As the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, earning recognition as ‘The Museum of Royal Gardens.’

Back Lakes (Hou Hai) - Next, the tour takes a private car to the Houhai Lake area for a rickshaw hutong tour. A Hutong tour offers a chance to mingle with local residents and experience a unique travel adventure in the intricate winding Hutongs. These maze-like, deep alleys remain as they were long ago, recording the city’s history. Many residents are still reluctant to leave their beloved Hutongs. Visitors can explore a local family’s house to experience authentic Beijing life and stop occasionally to take pictures.

Nanluoguxiang - The tour then proceeds to Nanluoguxiang. For those interested in shopping, Nanluoguxiang in the Gulou, or Drum and Bell Tower, district is a must-see hutong. It features several kilometers of shops, galleries, and cafés ranging from chic to kitschy. Visitors will find many cool T-shirts here (Plastered has a good line) featuring creative images of everything from Mao Zedong to garden gnomes.

Beijing - Finally, the guide will escort the operator to the hotel, marking the end of the services.

• Second class train tickets
• Entrance tickets included
• Private car and guide
• Lunch provided
• Air-conditioned transportation

• The hotel and dinner

• Can add more days if you want

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.