Journey to Pingyao&Linfen

• Pingyao Ancient City - Shuanglin Temple
• 4+ stars hotel
• None

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

If you are so inclined, you can also choose to enjoy the wonderful theater performance of See Pingyao Again, which will present the prosperity and decline of Pingyao during the Qing Dynasty and give you a deeper understanding of the city's history and culture.

• 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.