Datong & Pingyao 4 Days

• Yungang Grottoes - Jiulong Wall
• 4+ stars hotel
• None

Welcome to Datong, Shanxi Province, our guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport or station to take you on today's journey.

First, you will proceed to Yungang Grottoes, where there are 254 Buddhist grottoes stretching for about 1 kilometer as if a gallery of history. Among them, some 5,100 precious sculptures are breathtaking. These sculptures come in all sizes and shapes, with the largest statue standing 17 meters tall and solemn, while the smallest is just 2 centimeters high and delicate. Among the Yungang Grottoes, you can't miss Cave 5 and Cave 6, which are undoubtedly the jewels of the entire cave complex.

Then, you will drive back to downtown Datong to visit a stunning structure, the Jiulong Wall. This is a shadow wall made of colorful glazed tiles depicting nine lifelike dragons.

• Datong - Pagoda of Fogong Temple - the Xuankong Temple - Pingyao
• 4+ stars hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will depart from Datong to Pagoda of Fogong Temple, a 67.31-meter-high wooden pagoda built in Liao Dynasty (907~1125), which is not only the world's oldest and tallest wooden multi-storey building, but also breathtaking with its exquisite craftsmanship that requires no nails, screws or bolts.

You will then proceed to the Xuankong Temple. This ancient temple, founded in 491 in the Northern Wei Dynasty, has survived for more than 1,500 years. What is even more rare is that the Hanging Temple is also a temple that integrates Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, reflecting the profoundness of Chinese culture.

After visiting the Xuankong Temple, you will travel to Pingyao where you will check into your hotel to refresh yourself for tomorrow's trip.

• Pingyao Ancient City - Shuanglin Temple
• 4+ stars hotel
• Breakfast

First, you will go to Pingyao Ancient City, which is known as the "Museum of Ming and Qing Dynasty Architecture". With a history of more than 2,700 years, Pingyao Ancient City is not only one of the best-preserved ancient cities in China, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its rich cultural connotation and unique architectural style. Here, you can witness the towering ancient city walls, exquisite courtyards and quaint temples, each of which speaks of the vicissitudes of history and the accumulation of culture.

Next, you can climb the Pingyao Ancient City Wall to get a full view of this ancient town and experience its unique urban planning and layout. Then, you will visit the Rishengchang Old Bank to experience the financial landscape of that era and learn about the operation of ancient banks.

Then, you can stroll along Mingqing Street, a cobblestone road full of historical flavor, lined with ancient buildings that seem to bring you back to the bustling bazaar of the old days.

At the end of the tour, we will go to the City God Temple, which is an ancient temple full of mysterious colors, in which the wood carvings, paintings and sculptures are even more exquisite. Here, you can feel the ancient people's devotion to their faith and desire for a better life.

After exploring the quaint Pingyao Ancient City, a short 15-minute drive will take you to the Shuanglin Temple. This temple is famous for its many clay sculptures and wood carvings of various gods, goddesses and saints, each detail of which seems to tell a breathtaking story of history and legend.

Recommend for Activities

You can watch a theatre performance of Pingyao Revisited (19:00~20:30). This drama is a vivid presentation of the local life, prosperity and decline of Pingyao during the Qing Dynasty, allowing you to enjoy the art and at the same time gain a deeper understanding of the historical heritage and cultural charm of this ancient city.

• Zhangbi Ancient Fort - Wang Family Courtyard - Departure
• None
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will proceed to Zhangbi Ancient Fort. Originating from a series of tunnels and tunnels dug to escape from war more than 1,380 years ago, this ancient fortress displays a breathtaking display of ancient architectural and engineering skills.

We will then proceed to the Wang Family Courtyard. Known as the "Art Museum of Traditional Chinese Architecture" and the "Forbidden City of Folk", the compound is a brilliant architectural complex built by the Wang family of the Ming and Qing dynasties over 300 years and several generations. It includes five alleys and six castles, 231 courtyards, 2,078 rooms, and a street covering 250,000 square meters. Here, each courtyard contains rooms, kitchens, a schoolhouse and a prayer pavilion, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of life.

This trip is over, hope you leave a pleasant memory in Shanxi!