Taiyuan Pingyao 5 Day Tour

Day By Day Itinerary

Arrival in Taiyuan and met at Taiyuan airport or train station by our representative in Taiyuan. Check-in at our prearranged hotel in Taiyuan. You are at leisure to explore the city on your own for the remainder of the day.

Meals: No
Hotel: Yes

Picked up from your downtown hotel in Taiyuan and head to Jinci Temple, about 25km southwest of Taiyuan city center. Jinci Temple, an ancient ancestral temple, was founded about 1400 years ago and expanded during the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, featuring a variety of architectural styles. Jinci is ranked as the No 1 attraction in Taiyuan, collections of well preserved old buildings and trees make the temple worth a visit.

Then move on to Mengshan Mountain Buddha. Mengshan is regarded as a sacred mountain and has beautiful mountain scenery with its main attraction known as Mengshan Mountain Bug-Buddha, a 200-ft tall, and carved out of stone. The Mengshan Buddha is said to be China's oldest stone-carved Buddha statue. Hopping into a golf cart and reach the halfway up the mountain. Then you get out and have about a 30-minute hike up to the Buddha.

After Chinese lunch, continue to visit Temple of the Twin Pagodas. Located at Shuangta North Road, Yingze District, this temple is well known for its twins of 13-story octagonal pagodas, dating back some 400 years. At the end of your day trip, returned to your hotel in Taiyuan.

Meals: Hotel breakfast and Chinese lunch Hotel: Yes

After breakfast, you are arranged to take a private car to go to Pingyao.  Before getting to Pingyao Ancient City, you will visit Qiao Family Courtyard on the route. The fame of Qiao Family Courtyard is linked to the Chinese film director - Zhangyimou. Zhang Yimou is an internationally acclaimed Chinese filmmaker and one-time cinematographer. In 1992, he made a film named "Raise the Red Lanterns", nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. From then on, Qiao Family Coutyard has been receiving hundreds and thousands of tourists all year round. 

After Qiao Family Courtyard, head to Pingyao Ancient City. Check-in at our prearranged lodging in Pingyao. There are lots of eateries in Pingyao including the yummy food in your guesthouse and easy for you to arrange your own lunch and dinner at affordable prices. 

Afternoon tour begins with the Mingqing Street. Ming and Qing Street, also called Nanda Jie (South Avenue). It is one of the busy and interesting streets in which to experience ancient Chinese culture. It is 440 long, Ming and Qing Street used to be the commercial center of Pingyao ancient city. 

Then visit the Ancient City Wall of Pingyao City. The city of Pingyao is one of the four remaining well-preserved ancient cities in China. The city wall has a perimeter of 6.4 kilometers and is over 12 meters high and 3.5 meters wide.

Continue to visit the Rishengchang Exchange Shop. It is the earliest bank in China, first opened in the 18th century. Rishengchang was the first money exchange shop in the history of China. Back to your hotel in Pingyao.

Meals: Hotel breakfast
Hotel: Yes 

After breakfast, drive south about 60km for Wang's Family Courtyard. Wang's Family Courtyard was once one of the richest family in Shanxi Province, very successful business man. It has hundreds of rooms to meet family needs. People are especially amazed by the architecture of the huge courtyard house from 300 years ago. Also from family city wall, you can see some old cave dwellings below the wall. 

After Wang's Family Courtyard, continue to drive north 20km to the restauarant by Zhangbi Village. You will have lunch in the local restaurant with yummy local foods on your own. After lunch, walk into Zhangbi Village to visit the ancient tunnels and the old village itself popularly known as Zhangbi Underground Castle. The Village has the oldest and longest tunnels in all China. With three sides facing gullies, one leaning on the mountains, Zhangbi Village was once an military fortified village with easily guided and difficultly attacked. 

After Zhangbi Underground Castle, back to Pingyao.

Meals: No 
Hotel: Yes

After breakfast, continue your morning tour in Pingyao.  First visit Armed Escort Company Museum. It offers an eye-opening armed escort in protecting commerce. Cash moving from one area needed the armed escort firm to thwart thieving hands. Finally visit County Government Office, an ancient city hall and law court. 

 At the end of your Pingyao tour, you are transferred to Taiyuan or Taiyuan airport or train station for your next destination.  

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: No

Price List for this tour (Price per person in US dollars)

Price inclusion: 1. Private car or van with English speaking guide 2. Two sharing at our selected hotel (3 nights) with breakfast. 3. Entrance fees 4. Meals as listed 5. The above private escorted tour is customized for you, your family or your friends exclusively. No other travelers will join in your group. 6. All the prices for the tour above are subject to reconfirmation from our trip advisors when an actual booking is being made.   Price exclusion: 1.Domestic airfares  2.Gratuities to drivers and guides.  3.Travel insurance for your coverage of injury or accident

Reservation Notes

Questions & Answers:

Here is only for Questions and Answers. ( For anyone who wants to have an enquiry or customized tour, please email us to . )