Pingyao Tours

Pingyao Tours

Experience historical China on a Pingyao tour

Pingyao city is really something else in the realm of historical China. Come on one of our Pingyao tours and go back in time. Pingyao city is a destination where you can marvel at the business and administrative ingenuity that evolved from this ancient city – in trade, banking, government, and defense– that still hold value today. On a Pingyao tour, it’s entirely possible to imagine the lifestyle of prosperous leading families who drove business, when visiting their home compound that has formed the backdrop for the memorable Chinese film, Raise the Red Lantern.

Among its great appeal, Pingyao boasts one of the most complete examples of an ancient Chinese town. Within its still intact Ming and Qing dynasty City Walls, you will find a veritable treasure trove of culture, society, economy, and religion from an era long gone. It is possible to spend two or three full days exploring with a local bilingual guide on a Pingyao tour.

Our private, small group and custom Pingyao tours encompass all the must-see attractions, while also allowing ample time for relaxed ambling through the narrow historical streets to create your own unique travel memories in this curious destination, such as Pingyao Ancient Town, Qiao, the Wang Family mansion, and the primitive Zhangbi Castle.

Highlights of our Pingyao tours

Our Pingyao tours include memorable highlights.

  • Rishengchang Former Bank – Wonder at the march of financial progress emanating from the Rishengchang Former Bank, a forerunner of modern banking, believed to be founded in Pingyao in 1823 during the Qing Dynasty. “Sunrise prosperity” (translation of Rishengchang) certainly lived up to its name, at its peak spreading throughout major cities in China and some foreign countries until the Xinhai Revolution of 1914. Gain a firsthand view of the inspiration behind today’s banking in China preserved in its original style.
  • Ancient City Wall – A favorite Pingyao tours attraction. As the financial center of the region from the 16th century, Pingyao needed the wall for protection. Since becoming a World Heritage Site in 1997, restoration has continued on the 12 meters high, 4 meters wide wall, with a 6,163 meters perimeter, surrounded by a deep moat. The 72 watchtowers and more than 3,000 battlements are said to represent the number of Confucius’ disciples and other students.
  • Ming and Qing Street – Envisage trade of old in the bustling business center of Pingyao’s narrow, orderly Ming and Qing Streets, built in the traditional Ming and Qing style architecture of bricks with stone. Shops and houses of prosperous trading families line what was once the “Wall Street of China”.
  • Qiao Family Compound – Moviegoers may recognize the Qiao Family Compound as the main location in the film Raise the Red Lantern. Construction began in 1756 and was completed sometime in the 18th century to become the residential compound for a well-known financier. Architects believe the 9,000 square meters of the estate to be one of the finest examples of imposing private residences in northern China and a must-see on a Pingyao tour.
  • Shuanglin Monastery – Be surprised by the Shuanglin Monastery, located in Qiaotou village in the countryside about 7 kilometers outside Pingyao. 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.

Experience more

A world away from China’s super-sized modern cities, Pingyao is a welcome and refreshing change. With its history reflecting China’s strong commercial pedigree, in Pingyao, we help travelers create their own unique experience of this destination.

We can make special arrangements to make your Pingyao tour truly memorable.

  • Imbibe history – On a Pingyao tour, it’s possible to dine as the Chinese did 300 years ago at Yunjincheng. Eat traditional Pingyao Beef served in the elegant blue and white porcelain tableware and you’ll be stepping back in time and taste.
  • Revive the old – Ancient Pingyao comes alive again at the Pingyao Night Show. Set in an old city scene from the Qing era, the show combines music, drama, dance, and performance. Be amazed by this not to be missed Pingyao tour attraction.
  • Visit Tongxinggong Escort Agency – Make a stop at the Tongxinggong Escort Agency which served as an ancient security firm for protecting businesses and individuals trading valuables. Here you’ll gain an appreciation of the necessity for such a service. The organization maintains characteristics of escort: vehicles, cases, equipment and a field for martial arts.

Private Pingyao tours

On each of our private tours, we provide our travelers the certainty of careful attention to detail. When you book a Pingyao tour with us, we’ll arrange your itinerary and provide you with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic bilingual tour guide. Understanding the importance of balancing structure with flexibility, our tours allow for ample time to explore at your own pace, while gaining firsthand knowledge of your destination.

Why not have a look at some of our other popular China tour packages as well, these tours too can be taken as private tours, just you and your family or fellow group of travelers.


Pingyao Tours

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Testimonials


Genoveva G
Genoveva G
Reviewed on June 24, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great tour with Linda in Beijing

June 2025 • Friends

This is our second tour with China tours, and it was fantastic. Linda was our guide in Beijing. She was great! She was very knowledgeable about history and culture and a very kind person. Our group was a mix of young and old, and she made our days in Beijing interesting for everyone. We highly recommend Linda and China tours!
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Tofta2010
Tofta2010
Reviewed on June 23, 2025
Tripadvisor score Very interesting and inspiring days!

June 2025 • Friends

Linda did an excellent job to explain and teaching us all about Chinese history and give us a good insight to all the places she showed us. We were a diverse group and even got our three children interred along the way. Thanks Linda!
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Gavin M
Gavin M
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score 100% fabulous experience

June 2025 • Family

The trip with China Tours was 100% fabulous. Everything about it was exactly as described. The tour guides were all wonderful, the hotels, and transfers (two bullet trains, two domestic flights) were amazing, everything went exactly as planned, and we had a great first trip to China. We did the 13 Days China Wonders & Pandas tour in June 2025. The balance was perfect between sightseeing with the guides and having free time to explore this amazing country at each destination. The high quality of the five guides along the way really made the trip. They were wonderful people without exception: professional, courteous, very knowledgeable, and friendly. The team at China Tours did truly great work in arranging everything, down to the last detail. Thank you very much for making this trip a really great experience!
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Susan B
Susan B
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score The only way to visit China!

June 2025 • Couples

This is a fantastic tour. The tour guides are amazing- so knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The experience of visiting the historic sites has been made far richer than it would’ve been on our own. We have left China with a greater understanding of Chinese history, culture and its people.
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Galia P
Galia P
Reviewed on June 19, 2025
Tripadvisor score Absolutely fantastic guide

June 2025 • Family

Nancy was absolutely amazing. Knowledgeable, professional, kind and always on time. We had amazing 3 days with her. Recommend!!
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Michael W
Michael W
Reviewed on June 6, 2025
Tripadvisor score A Magical Experience

May 2025 • Couples

From the moment we were met at Beijing airport , until our last day in Shanghai , the service and attention to detail by the guides and drivers, was second to none! We opted for the ten day tour, to take advantage of the Chinese government 240 hour visa free TRANSIT permit , which was easily granted on arrival! ( arrival STARTS at midnight after you arrive! ) The vehicles and hotels were of the absolute best quality , and the whole trip was a joy! As every attraction has to be booked in advance , I certainly would not contemplate trying to organise such a trip independently ; and don`t even attempt to DRIVE in China!! At each stop , the knowledgeable guides would organise everything , and then ten minutes before departure ,would telephone the drivers , who would be waiting for us. Every attraction was well ordered and a real pleasure to visit. The standards of comfort EVERYWHERE were excellent! Thoroughly recommend!
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alizasopharr
alizasopharr
Reviewed on May 27, 2025
Tripadvisor score Amazing trip, extraordinary people !

May 2025 • Friends

Linda (Sun) was an incredibly sweet and attentive guide, she helped make an already amazing trip extraordinary by going above and beyond to help us be as comfortable as possible. I would recommend her and China Tours to anyone hoping to visit, truly an unforgettable experience!
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Adventurer508882
Adventurer508882
Reviewed on May 26, 2025
Tripadvisor score Xi’an more than only the Terracotta Army

May 2025 • Couples

It was a dream come true. Excellent guide, Felix and very good driver with a spacious and clean car. A wonderful experience and a lovely hotel.
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