Pingyao Tour
If you want to experience a real ancient city in Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911) in China - one of the most prosperous periods in Chinese history, Pingyao is your ideal choice, a small ancient city in central Shanxi Province. Pingyao lies about 700 km from Beijing, 500km from Xian and 100 km from Taiyuan.
Pingyao used to be a financial center of China. Now it is well known for its well preserved ancient city wall, the city layout and housing structures in Ming and Qing dynasties. The streets and storefronts still largely retain their historical outlook. In 1997, Pingyao Ancient City was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple.
If you are in Beijing, it is worth making a side trip to Pingyao or continue your trip to Xian from Pingyao. The newly opened high speed trains have shortened Beijing through Pingyao train ride to 4 hours, Pingyao through Xian 3 hours, plus daily overnight trains linking Pingyao to Beijing and Xian, thus greatly facilitating the access to Pingyao from Beijing and Xian.
| Choose Your Favorite Pingyao Tours | ||
 Pingyao Tour |
 Beijing Pingyao Tour |
 Xian Pingyao Tour |
Pingyao City Map
Pingyao Vicinity Map
Pingyao Tour
| » Pingyao 3 Day Tour | |
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 Destinations: Pingyao Ancient City +Qiao Family Courtyard + Zhangbi Underground Castle and Wang's Family Courtyard Duration: 3 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: SHXP-01A Price: Starting from US$ 205 p/p Customizable: Yes |
| » Pingyao Qikou 2 day Side Trip | |
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Destinations:Qikou Old Town + Lijiashan Village ( from and back to Pingyao ) Duration: 2 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: SHXP-04 Price: Starting from US$ 130 p/p Customizable: Yes |
| » Pingyao Car Rental with Driver | |
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Our chauffeur services include airport, railway as well as private drivers to pick you up and drop you off at your various highlights in Pingyao and excursions within Shanxi Province. We keep the most competitive prices and use reputable licensed private hire vehicle operators. Pingyao Car Rental with Driver from US$ 49 |
Beijing Pingyao Tour
| » Beijing Pingyao 2 Day Highspeed Train Tour | |
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Destinations: Pingyao Ancient City + Qiao Family Courtyard ( starting from and back to Beijing ) Duration: 2 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: SHXP-01 Price: Starting from US$ 209 p/p Customizable: Yes |
| » Beijing Pingyao 3 Day Highspeed Train Tour | |
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Destinations: Pingyao Ancient City + Qiao Family Courtyard + Zhangbi Underground Castle and Wang's Family Courtyard ( starting from and back to Beijing ) Duration: 3 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: SHXP-02 Price: Starting from US$ 280 p/p Customizable: Yes
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| » Beijing Pingyao 4 Day Overnight Train Tour | |
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Destinations: Pingyao Ancient City + Zhangbi Underground Castle and Wang's Family Courtyard ( starting from and back to Beijing ) Duration: 4 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: SHXP-03 Price: Starting from US$ 270 p/p Customizable: Yes |
| » Beijing Pingyao Xian 5 Day Highspeed Train Tour | |
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Destinations: Beijing, Pingyao and Xian Duration: 5 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: SHXP-05 Price: Starting from US$ 460 p/p Customizable: Yes |
Xian Pingyao Tour
| » Xian Pingyao 2 Day Tour | |
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Destinations: Pingyao Ancient City + Qiao Family Courtyard ( starting from and back to Xian ) Duration: 2 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: XAST-09 Price: Starting from US$185 p/p Customizable: Yes |
| » Xian Pingya 3 Day Tour | |
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Destinations: Pingyao Ancient City + Qiao Family Courtyard + Zhangbi Underground Castle and Wang's Family Courtyard ( starting from and back to Xian ) Duration: 3 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: XAST-10 Price: Starting from US$ 270 p/p Customizable: Yes |
| » Xian Pingyao Beijing 5 Day Tour | |
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Destinations: Xian, Pingyao and Beijing Duration: 5 Days Tour Type: Private Tour Tour Code: XAST-03 Price: Starting from US$ 460 p/p Customizable: Yes |
Pingyao Travel Information
| Pingyao Railway Stations | Things to Do in Pingyao | Best Time to Visit Pingyao | Where to Stay in Pingyao |
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| Zhangbi Village | Wang Family Courtyard | Zhenguo Temple | Shuanglin Temple |
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Train travel to Pingyao
Starting from July 01, 2014, you are able to get to Pingyao Ancient City by high speed train directly from Beijing and Xian. The newly opened high speed trains has shortened Beijing through Pingyao train ride to 4 hours, Pingyao through Xian 3 hours, plus daily overnight trains linking Pingyao to Beijing and Xian, thus greatly facilitating the access to Pingyao from Beijing and Xian.
Now if you are going to visit Pingyao from Beijing and Xian by trains, basically you have three choices – By bullet trains, by normal overnight trains and transiting at Taiyuan.
Beijing - Pingyao Train Timetable
1) Beijing – Pingyao by bullet trains
At the time of our writing, there are two daily bullet trains available going between Beijing and Pingyao.
Beijing West Railway Station – Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station: D2001 ( 7:58 – 12:09)
Beijing West Railway Station – Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station: D2005 ( 15: 29 – 19:39)
Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station – Beijing West Railway Station : D2002 ( 8: 41 – 12:55)
Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station - Beijing West Railway Station : D2006 ( 16: 11 – 20:40)
2) Beijing - Pingyao Overnight Train Timetable
Some traveler still prefer to take an overnight train from Beijing to Pingyao and vice versa.
K603 Beijing Railway Station – Pingyao Railway Station( 17:17 – 05 18)
2603 Beijing Railway Station– Pingyao Railway Station (23:42 – 14:05)
K609 Beijing Railway Station – PingyaoRailway Station (23:51 – 09:35)
K604 Pingyao Railway Station – Beijing Railway Station ( 17:03 – 05 37)
2604 Pingyao Railway Station - Beijing Railway Station (13:11 – 03:36)
K610 Pingyao Railway Station – Beijing Railway Station (20:32 – 06:09)
3) Beijing - Pingyao by Transitting at Taiyuan
Take the 3 hours high speed trains from Beijing to Taiyuan where you connect for buses or hiring a private car to van for 1 hour driving from Taiyuan to Pingyao. Pingyao is located about 80km southeast of Taiyuan's city center.
Someof the Beijing West – Taiyuan high speed trains.
G601 (7:21 – 10:19)
G91 (08:30 – 11:11)
G603 (7:35 – 10:31 )
G605 （9:10 – 12:16)
G607 (10:15 – 13:18 )
Xian - Pingyao Train Timetable
1) Xian - Pingyao Highspeed Trains
Xian North Railway Station – Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station: D2504 ( 10:13 – 13:06)
Xian North Railway Station – Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station: D2508 ( 12: 05 – 14:55)
Xian North Railway Station – Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station: D2532 ( 16:510 – 19:08)
Xian North Railway Station – Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station: D2516 ( 19: 08 – 22:07)
Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station – Xian North Railway Station : D2531( 08:41 – 12:55)
Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station - Xian North Railway Station : D2507 (14:10 – 16:57)
Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station – Xian North Railway Station : D2509 (15:33 – 18:21)
Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station - Xian North Railway Station : D2515 (19:19 – 22:16)
2) Xian - Pingyao Overnight Trains
1486 Xian Railway Station – Pingyao Railway Station( 12:04 – 22:44)
K690 Xian Railway Station– Pingyao Railway Station (17:17 – 03:39)
2672 Xian Railway Station – PingyaoRailway Station (22:53 – 07:13)
2671 Pingyao Railway Station – Xian Railway Station ( 00:28 – 08:28)
1485 Pingyao Railway Station - Xian Railway Station (16:32 – 08:29)
1095 Pingyao Railway Station – Xian Railway Station (20:42 – 10:14)
Flight travel to Pingyao
Though no airport in Pingyao, many travelers prefer first to take flight for Taiyuan, which is only 80km northwest of Pingyao. Then take a public bus or taxi to Pingyao from Taiyuan.Overland Travel to Pingyao
Considering it is quited stressed to get the train tickets to and from Pingyao, people often use the public buses running from Taiyuan to Pignyao and vice versa. The buses between Taiyuan Jian Nan Bus Station and Pingyao operate every 30 minutes from 6:40 to 18:00.
So you are requested first to get to Taiyuan by bus, train and flight, then connect the buses at Taiyuan Jian Nan Bus Station (just south of Taiyuan Railway Station) for Pingyao.
Travel to Pingyao by bus allows you to flexibly stop at Qiao Family for a short visit, then board a passing bus or local cab again for Pingyao.
The best time to travel to Pingyao is autumn and winter, since the landscape of Pingyao is most beautiful during this time. But different seasons give the ancient city different appearances. So when to visit Pingyao all depends on your budget, tolerance for large crowds and your personal interests.
Pingyao City Layout
The ancient city wall of Pingyao is 6km in circumference, like a shortened Xian city wall which has a perimeter of 14 km. The similarity of the two ancient cities also lies in their street grid pattern layout featuring four main streets in the two walled cities, e.g. North Street, East Street, South Street and West Street. Each street is linked to a gate.The south and west streets in Pingyao walled city are most important, rife with souvenior stalls, restautants, hostels, hotels as well as major attractions. The tallest City Building in Ming & Qing Style is situated on the south street.
On the south street, you find Tong Xing Gong Armed Escort Agency, Chinese Armed Escort Agency Museum, Xie Tong Qing Draft bank. Som popular hotels are also located on the south street, like Tian Yuan Kui Hotel, Tong Tai Mao Hotel, Jin Jing Lou Hotel,Changyihe Guesthouse.
The must see Ri Sheng Chang (the First Draft Bank of China) is on the west street. Yun Jin Cheng Hotel, a five star folk-custom hotel is on the west street too.
Pingyao Railway Station is located about 1000m to the northwest of the west gate of Pingyao ancient city and Pingyao Bus Station is located about 500m to the northeast of the north gate of the ancient city. The south gate is the main gate. The fact is that each gate has its unique feature.
To Zhangbi Underground Castle, Wang Family Courtyard and Shuanglin Temple, further outside the walled city, it is advisable to hire a car around RMB 300 for an excursion day trip.
Get around in Pingyao
The walled Pingao city is easily navigated on foot. If you don't have strong legs, you may use the local electric cars or rent a bike careening down the narrow streets within the four main streets. As a small ancient city, the walled Pingyao has no public buses, no taxis.Most of the first time visitors to Pingyao would like to stay inside the walled city which is teemed with accommodations, budget, mid-range and high end.
Beside on the four main streets, various hotels are also clustered on Yamen Street where the ancient Pingyao Government Building is located, the Cheng Huang Temple Street where Cheng Huang Temple and Confucian Temple are located. Some hotels are scattered around the narrow lanes in the grid pattern of the city.
For normal season, you don't have to prebook your stay in Pingyao. But in high season as well as on Chinese holidays and weekends, you are advised to reserve your accommoations in advance. Hotel booking is simple, send an email, or just give a call. See below the hotel list with phone numbers:
| Hotel Names | Folk Custom Hotel Class | Phone (0354) |
| Kylin Grand Hotel | 5 star | 5689988 |
| Yun Jing Cheng Hotel | 5 star | 5888888 |
| Hongshanyi Hotel | 5 star | 5689000 |
| Tian Yuan Kui Hotel | 4 star | 5680069 |
| Yi De Hotel | 4 star | 5685988 |
| De Sheng Yuan Hotel | 3 star | 5680788 |
| Xi Ren Tai Hotl | 3 star | 5683211 |
| Xin Cheng Hao Hotel | 3 Star | 5687000 |
| Yu Feng Heng Hotel | 3 star | 5686558 |
| Hong Fa Hotel | 3 star | 5686555 |
| Changtai Yongmin | 3 star | 5680172 |
| Harmony Guesthouse | 3 Star | 5684952 |
| Zhengjia Hotel | 3 star | 5684466 |
| Si Sheng Qing Hotel | 3 star | 5686777 |
| Yun Yang Yi Hotel | 3 star | 5687666 |
| Ya Men Hotel | 3 star | 5683539 |
| Zhong Du Hotel | 2 star | 5675888 |
| Shi Hua Hotel | 2 star | 5671718 |
Situated at a place 80kms south of Taiyuan, Pingyao is the best preserved ancient city in China. There are many cultural relics and historical sites in Pingyao, such as the most intact ancient county city wall in China, which was made of bricks and stones and built in the early days of the Ming Dynasty, China's first Rishengchang Draft Bank, Ming and Qing Street, the Chinese Bodyguard Office (armed escort agency)...
In age-old Pingyao, its traditional snacks transfer the centuries-old culture just as its ancient architectures. Local staple food in Pingyao is mainly wheaten products like noodles and clay oven rolls.
Among these simple food or snacks there are many special ones: Pingyao Beef, Wantuo, Qiaomian Kaolaoloa, Mao Erduo, Yam...
The historical prosperity of Pingyao established in ancient times has left this city of many millennia imposing city walls and a series of ancient buildings as well as a vitality for handcrafts and local products.
Wandering on Ming and Qing Street, you could find these almost every where.
Pingyao is one of the hottest tourist sites in Shanxi Province. When night approaches, the ancient city is enveloped in gentle colorful neon light.
Numerous red lanterns hang in the avenues highly portraying a grand air. However, besides for some main avenues, most of the streets and lanes become dark for most shops in this Old City close early in the evening. Pingyao people keep to their original life style far away from the fascinating nightlife of the modern city. But Ming and Qing street is also noisy, involving by the red light.
Located in central China, Pingyao climate is typically temperate. Annual average temperature of Pingyao is about 10ºC . Winter is very cold while summer is often rainy and hot.
April and November are the best time to visit there. Temperate, continental, monsoonal climate; long and cold winters and mild summers. Average Temperature: -16 - -2ºC in January while 19-28ºC in July.
Reservation Notes:
1. Please use our online booking or send your travel request via email to
. You are also welcome to call us at 00 86 10 67160201 ext 1006 or 1007.2. Our real trip advisors will have your booking confirmed no more than one working day. When your booking is confirmed, you will get a confirmation email or call from us, which includes the confirmed detailed itinerary with prices.
3.Way of Payment
Prepayment is needed to hold your reservation. Cash payment, credit card payment or wire transfer. Both RMB and US$ or other hard currencies are acceptable.
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Questions & Answers:
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