- Datong had a luminous past as the capital of the Northern Wei dynasty (383-534 AD). The city is endowed with rich cultural relics left from different periods like Yungang Grottos, Huayan Temple and Nine Dragon Wall.
- Visit a 2,700-year-old historic and cultural Pingyao ancient city.The City exists because of salt. It is one of the important birthplaces of the Chinese People.
- Go to the comparatively less famous, but amazing city to discover the precious Mural in Yongle Palace in Ruicheng and Guangdi Temple in Xiezhou are some of Yuncheng’s attractive places.
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Destination
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Trip duration
5 days, 4 nights
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Min/Max travelers
Min.2
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Transport
Van
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Accommodation
Local best hotel or boutique hotel
Pingyao Ancient City architecture and ornaments, Shanxi, China
Being known as a mining province, Shanxi is mainly known as an industrial hub. However, a great deal of China’s historical and cultural treasures are also located in this province, located on driving distance from Beijing. In this journey you will explore these treasures, starting at the most famous city of the province, Datong, with its world-renowned Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery. You will visit the walled ancient city of Pingyao and be thrown centuries back in time, and finally you will taken to a magnificent Taoist palace from the Yuan dynasty and on the banks of the Yellow River.
The exploration of the fascinating province of Shanxi will not leave you disappointed. This tour takes the traveller to the Unesco sites of Yungang Buddhist Grottoes, Pingyao Ancient Town, the murals of the Yongle Palace, the hanging monastery,come and experience the roots of ancient traditions, see the ultimate examples of Chinese art and architecture, feel the heartbeat of history from the outer to the inner Great Wall… it is time to Explore!
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN DATONG
Upon arrival you will meet your local guide at train station and drive to the Yungang Grottoes. These grottoes are one of the main attractions that most people pay a visit to Datong for. These grottoes hold over 50,000 Buddhist statues and stretch for about 1 km from east to west. After the visit you will be transferred to the hotel in Datong.
Food
-/-/-
Accommodation
Local best hotel
Day 2
DATONG / PINGYAO
You will be picked by your tour guide at your hotel. First drive to Hanging Temple, 65 km away Southeast of Datong. The temple hangs on the Western cliff of a hill that reaches over 50 meters above the ground, hence the name Hanging Monastery. The Hanging Monastery was first built in 491. The present monastery was mainly rebuilt and maintained in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The biggest attraction of Hanging Temple is the fact that the temple includes elements of the Buddhist, Taoist and Confucianist traditions.
Afterwards, you will visit Jinci Temple, located at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain and is about 25 kilometers southwest to Taiyuan City. The temple was constructed in memory of Tang Shuyu (the first ruler of Jin during Zhou Dynasty) and his mother. Famous for the Nanlao Spring, the Sinu Statue and the Shengmu Statue, Jinci Temple is also home to traditional Chinese ritual structures, gardening, carving and moulding, murals, and inscriptions on tablets.
After the visit you will transfer to the hotel in Pingyao where you can check in for the night.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Boutique hotel
Day 3
PINGYAO
Our guide will take you to visit the Mingqing Street. Ming and Qing Street, also called Nan Dajie (South Avenue). One of the bustling and interesting streets in which to experience ancient Chinese culture, it is 440 meters long and used to be the commercial center of Pingyao ancient city. Then you can visit the 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. In the afternoon, there will be a visit to the Rishengchang Exchange Shop, the earliest bank in China. The company opened its doors in the 18th century and became the first money exchange shop in the history of China. They day will finalize with a visit to the County Government Office, an ancient city hall and law court. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Boutique Hotel
Day 4
PINGYAO / YUNCHENG
After breakfast, you will drive about 60 km Southwards and pay a visit to Wang's Family Courtyard. The Family Wang was once one of the richest family in Shanxi Province as the padre familias was a very successful business man. The courtyard has hundreds of rooms to meet family needs. Commonly, visitors are especially amazed by the architecture of the huge courtyard house from 300 years ago. From the yard walls, you can also see some old cave dwellings under the wall.
Later on, you will visit the Shuanglin temple. This fascinating Buddhist temple houses many incredibly rare and sublimely carved Tang, Song and Yuan painted statues. Rebuilt in 1571, it’s a mesmerizing complex of ancient halls: the interiors of the Sakyamuni Hall and flanking buildings are exquisite. At the end of the day you will move on to Yuncheng and check into the hotel.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
Local best hotel
Day 5
DEPART YUNCHENG
In the morning, you will visit the Guandi temple, is situated in the Xiezhou County of Yuncheng. The Guandi Temple represents the glory and nobility of Guan Yu — a revered general who earned deity status in Chinese culture. This temple is built in the hometown of Guan, which gives a remarkable presence to the city. Architecture from the 17th century and depictions of the general's valor blaze all over town.
Then, you will visit Yongle palace. It is one of the three biggest Taoist temples in China and the largest of all Taoist temples remaining from the Yuan dynasty. The palace was built to consolidate political power for the emperors of the Yuan dynasty. The Palace, covering an area of 248,000 square meters, is world-renowned for its architecture and mural art. It is located in the suburb of Ruicheng County, Shanxi Province, about 3 kilometers north of the county center. Endowed with magnificent and fascinating scenery, the Palace is bounded by the mountains in the north and the Yellow River in the south. After completing this visit you will be transferred to the train station for the next leg of your journey.
Food
B/-/-
Accommodation
N/A
Shanxi boasts countless cultural treasures awaiting your discovery.
PINGYAO
Boutique Hotel
Shanxi boasts countless cultural treasures awaiting your discovery.
Create the experience of your dream with our travel experts
Make your own trailIncluded
- Accommodation as indicated in the program.
- Meals as described in the program
- Transfers, tours by A/C vehicle and private driver
- Entrance fees as indicated in the program
- Services of a private English-speaking guide
Not Included
- Ticket(s) for international flights / domestic flights / Train
- Tips for services of local guides and drivers
- Optional tours
- Tours & meals not mentioned in the program
- Porterage at the hotels (in and out)
- Chinese Visa
- Expenditures of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
- Excess luggage surcharge
- Insurance
Payment and Cancellations
- Deposit: 25% of total package to confirm the booking.
- Full payment is due 4 weeks before departure. We reserve the right to release all services in case of payment overdue
- Cancellation policy:
• Between 60 and 30 days prior to arrival : 25% of total amount
• Between 30 and 15 days prior to arrival : 50% of total amount
• Less than 15 days : 100% of total amount
Important notes
Few important details to frame the experience:
- Please note that the itinerary and the order of the visits as described above is subject to change depending on local conditions
- We reserve the right to replace above hotels by other hotels of similar or superior category
- Price is based on shoulder season, Peak/High season supplements may apply during trade fair, public holiday or special events
Shoulder season: Apr, Jun-Aug, Nov, Dec
High season: May, September, October - Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increases