5 Day Beijing – Datong – Pingyao Tour

Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a day of exciting exploration of world renowned attractions of Datong. On the drive to the Yungang Grottoes you will hear legendary stories of one of the four largest grottoes in China. Upon arrival, a round trip battery car saves time and walking to the grottoes. Follow the guide to explore different stone carvings of Buddha, more than 50,000 statues built in three different phases: the first is the grand large Buddha statues; the second phase an innovation period; and the third phase features smaller caves with smaller statues developed with private patronage.

A drive back to Datong will take you to admire the amazing Nine Dragon Screen, the largest in China, even larger than the one in the Forbidden City. The screen was erected in front of the mansion of the 13th son of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding father of the Ming Dynasty, around the year 1392. Hear from your guide the legend behind the glorious glazed depictions of different dragons so significant in Chinese life.

Nearby you will be able to explore the Shanhua Monastery, a grand Buddhist temple first built during the Tang dynasty in the 8th century, rebuilt in the 11th century and more recently renovated to showcase traditional architecture and artifacts. Your day exploring Datong concludes when you are transferred to the hotel to rest up for the next day’s adventures.

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast in the morning, your guide will pick you up at the hotel and drive to the miraculous, mysterious Hanging Monastery, the only existing monastery built in honor of three traditional Chinese religions: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. On a guided walk through the temple discover how the wooden structure survived 1400 years perched precariously in the cliff. Find out why it is built there, when it would have been much simpler to build on a mountain.

The Wooden Pagoda in Ying County is the next stop, where you can be intrigued by the oldest existing wooden construction in China, built without a nail, using 54 types of bracket arms. The pagoda, erected in 1056, has survived several big earthquakes over the centuries. A centerpiece of the ground floor is an 11 meter high statue of Buddha built during the same period.

At the end of the day’s tour, you will be driven to the pre-booked hotel in Pingyao to check in.

Meals included: Breakfast

Your whole day’s sightseeing in Pingyao Ancient Town, the former financial center of all China, covers highlights of commerce such as the Rishengchang Former Bank, established in 1823, which become a forerunner of modern banking. Pingyao’s bustling trade was protected by an Ancient City Wall dating back to 1370. The 6,163 meter wall with watchtowers and battlements represents one of the best preserved city walls in China. In the bustling business center of Pingyao’s narrow, orderly Ming and Qing Streets, you can imagine the trade that has been ongoing for centuries as you wander the same streets. Shops and residences, built with bricks and stone in the traditional Ming and Qing style architecture, line what was once known as the “Wall Street of China”. At the end of the day you will be returned to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Following pick up from the hotel, the first stop of the day is the unique architectural Qiao Family Compound, a well preserved example of the finest Chinese courtyard residences, made even more famous as the main location in the film Raise the Red Lantern. This expansive estate covering 9,000 square meters has 313 rooms, 6 large courtyards and 19 smaller courtyards. From its origin as the home of a wealthy Pingyao trader, it has been converted into a museum with many authentic period furnishings.

In the small village of Qiaotou in the countryside about 7 kilometers outside Pingyao, you stand to be surprised by the Shuanglin Monastery. Founded in the 6th century, the monastery is notable for its collection of more than 2,000 decorated clay statues dating back to the 12-19th centuries.

Afterwards, you will be transferred to the train station or the airport for your next destination. Your memorable tour ends here.

Meals included: Breakfast

Notes:
Flight or train back to Beijing is available upon request, at an additional cost
Transportation or tours from Pingyao to your next destination in China are also available upon request, at an additional cost