Shanxi In-Depth 7 Days Tour

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

Welcome to Datong, Shanxi, our guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport or station to take you on our Shanxi tour.

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.

Immediately after, you will visit Huayan Temple - the largest and best-preserved temple built by the Khitan during the Liao Dynasty. You can deeply feel the weight of history and the charm of culture during your visit.

• Pagoda of Fogong Temple - the Xuankong Temple - Wutai Mountain
• 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 Wutai Mountain where you will check into your hotel to refresh yourself for tomorrow's trip.

• Wutai Mountain-Taihuai Town-Tayuan Temple-Shuxiang Temple-Xiantong Temple-Bodhisattva's Peak
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will set foot in the heart of Wutai Mountain, Taihuai Town, and explore four of its most influential temples: Tayuan Temple, Shuxiang Temple, Xiantong Temple, and Bodhisattva's Peak.

The Tayuan Temple is named after the Great White Pagoda, the landmark of Wutai Mountain. Standing at a height of 75.3 meters and a circumference of 83 meters, this towering white pagoda is not only a landmark, but also carries a profound Buddhist culture.

Next, you will visit Shuxiang Temple (Temple of Manjushri). Many historical emperors and empresses have visited this temple, adding to its rich historical heritage.

Afterwards, you will arrive at Xiantong Temple, one of the largest and oldest temples in Wutai Mountain. It is home to a bronze hall built in 1610, which is made of 50,000 kilograms of cast bronze and is one of the best-preserved bronze buildings in China. Most major Buddhist events and ceremonies are held here, highlighting its importance in the Buddhist community.

Finally, you will climb to the Bodhisattva's Peak, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Wutai Mountain. Legend has it that this is the true abode of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva, and the architecture is grand and stately.

After exploring these four temples, you will return to the peaceful Taihuai Town by coach, bringing your trip to Wutai Mountain to a successful conclusion.

• Dailuoding Temple - Foguang Temple - Pingyao
• 4+ stars Hotel
• Breakfast

After breakfast, you will embark on a spiritual journey to the Dailuoding Temple, which is located at the top of the Dongtai hillside. This temple is uniquely situated to stand overlooking a magnificent panoramic view of the other temples and the Taihuai Town. There are two ways to reach the temple: choose to climb the 1,080 steps to show your devotion or take the convenient cable car.

Immediately after, you will drive to the Foguang Temple. The East Hall of the temple is one of the three surviving wooden buildings of the Tang Dynasty in China, and even more so, the best-preserved of them all. The Tang Dynasty architecture, sculptures, murals and inscriptions here are of great historical and artistic value and are known as the "Four Wonders".

After the visit to Foguang Temple, you will end this wonderful journey with full of rewards and memories and set off for Pingyao.

• 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.

• Zhangbi Ancient Fort - Wang Family Courtyard - Linfen
• 4+ stars Hotel
• 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.

After the tour, we will take you to Linfen to continue our journey of discovery!

• Hukou Waterfall
• None
• Breakfast

After breakfast, we will take a bus to Hukou Waterfall. Upon arrival, your guide will lead you to the perfect location to view it. Hukou Waterfall, as the largest yellowish waterfall in the world and the second largest waterfall in China, is a breathtakingly magnificent sight. As the Yellow River rushes down at the sudden narrowing of its course, bisecting Shanxi and Shaanxi Provinces, the thunderous roar of water and the splashing of water on the rocks create the unique Hukou Falls.

After visiting Hukou Waterfall, we will head to the railway station to catch the train to our next destination. At Linfen Railway Station, you have several high speed train lines to choose from, whether you are travelling to Beijing, Xi'an, Pingyao, Zhengzhou or Chengdu.

Note:
1. Best viewing time: Hukou Waterfall is best viewed between May and October. At this time, the waterfall is full of water and magnificent, which is the perfect time to appreciate the beauty of the rushing waterfall. However, in the cold winter, you can also enjoy a different kind of beauty - calm glacier waterfalls, its unique landscape is also worth a visit.
2. Longdong Cave Exploration: If you want to enjoy the breathtaking view of Hukou Waterfalls from another angle, consider visiting Longdong Cave (RMB 20 entrance fee required), which is located below the waterfalls. Looking up at the waterfall from the Longdong Cave, you will get a brand new visual experience of the majesty of the waterfall's flow and nature's ingenious workmanship.