7-Day Private Tour to Pingyao,Datong and Beijing by Bullet Train

Day 1: Pingyao. O/N Pingyao.

1. Ancient City of Pingyao
   6h
   Your guide will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel at 09:00 in the morning and today you will going to visit the Ancient City of Pingyao.
   
   As one of the four best preserved old cities in China, the 2,700-year-old Ancient City of Pingyao is famous for containing the most complete dwellings complex and shops with architectural style of Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 – 1911), which are arranged at both sides of the 400-meter-long Ancient Ming-Qing Street. Situated in the center of the city, Ancient Government Office is built with a symmetrical layout. In Security Guard Company, you will know the history about the security industry through the cases, vehicles and weapons used at that time. From our guide's explanation, you will know the cultural background of Rishengchang Exchange Shop, the first private financial institution in China.
2. City Wall of Pingyao
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Your Pingyao ancient town tour will begin with a visit to the City Wall of Pingyao, which has been well preserved. As a whole, the rectangular wall resembles a tortoise, which was considered as a symbol of longevity traditionally. Ascending the wall, you could overlook the ancient city of Pingyao.
3. Ming and Qing Dynasties Street
   1h
   Then, get down from the wall and have a stroll on the traditional Ming-Qing Street. On both sides of this not very wide street, there are many buildings in ancient Chinese architecture style, which used to be firms, exchange shops and different kinds of shops like teashop, cloth shop and salt shop. Nowadays, some of them have been turned to hotels, restaurants or shops selling souvenirs while some have been preserved as attraction sites and museums.
4. Pingyao Ancient Government Office
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Next, pay a visit to Pingyao Ancient Government Office, which is located in the middle of the ancient city for more than 600 years. Covering about 26,000 square meters (31,095 square yards), it includes many majestic courtyards and buildings. The Security Guard Company is also worth seeing for it is a museum which introduces the development of the ancient Chinese security guards.
5. Rishengchang Former Bank
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After lunch, you will proceed to Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop and Tong Xing Gong. Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop is the first money exchange shop in China as well as the founder of Chinese modern banks, which has played an important role in Chinese financial business for about one century. Tong Xing Gong was an establishment which provided private escort service for the exchange shops to guard their safety during transportation.

Day 2: Pingyao - Datong by train. O/N Datong.

1. Pingyao County
   10m
   Your guide will pick you up at the lobby of your Pingyao hotel at around 09:00 in the morning. You will be escorted to the well-known Wang Family's Compound in around 1.5 hours' ride.
2. Wang's Family Compound (Wang Jia Dayuan)
   2h · Admission ticket included
   It is a large and magnificent architectural complex originally built around 250 years ago and Located in Lingshi County in Shanxi Province, the Wang Family's Compound is 35 kilometers (22 miles) away from Pingyao Ancient City. This luxurious residence was originally built during 1762-1811 by the descendants of the Wang Family. What makes this compound so impressive are the sheer size and gorgeous ornamental structures. It is like a mini walled city with more than 200 courtyards, each of them has its own distinctive features. The intricately carved wood doors, window casings, stairways, stone carvings, etc. could be found everywhere in the courtyards.
3. Zhangbi Ancient Castle
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After lunch, the tour continues to Zhangbi Ancient Fortress where you will go through the maze-like underground tunnels.
   Different from the compounds and ancient city, Zhangbi Ancient Fortress is an exception of Shanxi merchants' culture. To resist the invasion of enemies, Chinese ancestors made full use of its geographic advantages and built a 10,000-meter long underground military tunnels with three floors in the village. Zhangbi Ancient Fortress is a complex of historical relics, tombs, residences and tunnels, in which the labyrinth-like underground tunnels are the most interesting.
4. Taiyuan East Railway Station
   1h
   After lunch, drive you to Taiyuan Railway Station where a train to Datong is waiting for you. The train takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival at Datong, you will be picked up on time and transferred to the Datong hotel(driver only,no guide).

Day 3: Datong. O/N Datong.

1. Datong
   10m
   In the morning, your guide will meet you at Datong hotel at 9am and drive one hour to Hanging Monastery.
2. Hengshan Hanging Temple (Xuankong si)
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   The renowned Hanging Monastery, which looks like a grand relief inlaid on the steep cliff. It will be a thrilling experience to go along the hanging walkways to visit each hall of the temple. It is unique that the hierarchs of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are worshiped here together.
3. Pagoda of Fogong Temple
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Then you will take a car ride to Yingxian County to see the famous Wooden Pagoda. It is the oldest wooden tower in China, which has been around for nearly 1,000 years, and not a single nail was used during its construction.
4. 1h 30m
   The often-hostile nomadic tribes to the north meant that some regions of Shanxi Province used to be vital battlefields in the past. After lunch, we will continue our journey to the military fortresses in rural areas. Firstly, we will stop at the Guangwu Fort with tall walls surrounding the present Guangwu Village. After that, the guide will accompany you to take a one-hour hike on the wild Baicaokou Great Wall which has experienced the great vicissitudes of history and retains its original appearance.
   At that, you will take a 2-hour car ride back to your hotel.

Day 4: Datong - Beijing by train. O/N Beijing.

1. Datong
   10m
   In the morning, your guide will meet you at 9am of your Datong hotel then transfer to Yungang Grottoes, need 30 minutes driving, 16km.
2. Yungang Grottoes
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Upon arrival at the Yungang Grottoes, your guide will accompany you as you to go around viewing more than 59,000 solemn Buddha statues made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 - 534). Considered to be a treasure house of Buddhist arts, Yungang Grottoes took over 70 years to reach the present scale. The sculptures there integrate the superb artistry of Northern Wei and showcase the atmospheric and imperial style. You are sure to feel astonished by the magnificent scene there.
3. Huayan Temple of Datong
   40m · Admission ticket included
   After admiring the sculptural arts of the Northern Wei Dynasty, you will then be guided to Huayan Monastery to appreciate the architectural style created during the Liao Dynasty (907 - 1125). You will also see a statue of Bodhisattva with a grin on her face, which makes it stand out from the rest.
4. 1h
   At the end, drive you to Datong Railway Station where a train to Beijing is waiting for you. The train takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival at Beijing, you will be picked up on time and transferred to the Beijing hotel(driver only,no guide).

Day 5: Beijing. O/N Beijing.

1. Beijing
   10m
   At 09:00am, your guide will meet you at your Beijing hotel lobby and start this 1 day Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven city tour
2. The Palace Museum
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Firstly, you will visit the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, and Gu Gong in Chinese, lies at the city center of Beijing, and once served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). It was first built throughout 14 years during the reign of Emperor Chengzu in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Ancient Chinese Astronomers believed that the Purple Star (Polaris) was in the center of heaven and the Heavenly Emperor lived in the Purple Palace. The Palace for the emperor on earth was so called the Purple City. It was forbidden to enter without special permission of the emperor. Hence its name 'The Purple Forbidden City', usually 'The Forbidden City'.
3. Jingshan Park
   40m
   Next, go to Jingshan Park which is a beautiful royal landscape garden. Covering an area of 57 acres (about 230,000 square meters), the park stands on the central point of the south-north axis of the city and faces the north gate of the Forbidden City. It is found on Jingshan Hill, which was originally named Wansui Hill (Long Live Hill), Zhen Hill or Meishan Hill (Coal Hill). The mid summit of the hill is the highest point in Beijing. Looking from the peak, you will able to get a full and clear view of the Forbidden City.
4. Tiananmen Square
   30m
   And then, you will head to Tiananmen Square is the large plaza near the centre of Beijing named after the Tiananmen (literally translated as the “Gate of Heavenly Peace”). It sits to the city's north, separating it from the Forbidden City. As a symbol it has great cultural significance, as it was the site of several key events in Chinese history.
5. Temple of Heaven
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After the lunch, you will visit The Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven, is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in south-eastern urban Beijing, known as the Xuanwu District. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It is regarded as a Taoist temple, although the Chinese Heaven worship by the reigning monarch “ohe day” pre-dates Taoism. The Temple of Heaven is a must-see attraction in Beijing!
6. Beijing
   17h
   At the end, your guide will escort you to your Beijing hotel.

Day 6: Beijing. O/N Beijing.

1. Beijing
   10m
   In the morning, your tour guide can meet you at your hotel lobby at 9:00am then transfer to Mutianyu great wall, need 90 minutes driving,80km.
2. Mutianyu Great Wall
   2h · Admission ticket included
   When you reach the Mutianyu Great wall and you will take the chairlift up and toboggan town.
   The Great Wall at Mutianyu was built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and is one of the most famous sections of the Wall. Roam the ancient structure and learn the history and facts that make its so famous. Your professional guide will be able to answer any questions and offer exclusive stories and facts about the Mutianyu Great Wall.
3. Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling)
   2h · Admission ticket included
   At 13:00 you will enjoy a lunch at a local countryside restaurant before heading to the Ming Tombs. The Ming Tombs lie in Changping County, about 50-kilometers northwest from the urban area of Beijing. The site is a tomb cluster of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), including 13 emperor's mausoleums, seven tombs for concubines and one grave for eunuchs. Located at the foot of Mount Yan, the surrounding area is extremely beautiful.
4. Beijing
   17h
   At the end, your guide will escort you to your Beijing hotel.

Day 7: Beijing. The tour end.

1. Beijing
   10m
   Your tour guide and driver will meet you at your Beijing hotel at 9:00am and driving to the Beijing Lama Temple, need 18 minutes driving, 6km.
2. Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Discover the very best of Beijing on this 1-day private sightseeing tour. Begin the day at the calming Lama Temple and learn the site's fascinating history.
   The Yonghe Temple, also known as the Yonghe Lamasery, or popularly as the Lama Temple, is a temple and monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism located in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China. The building and artwork of the temple is a combination of Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.
3. Summer Palace
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Afterwards,you will head to the expansive Summer Palace which is covering an area of 2.9 square kilometers, 3 quarters of which is water: Kunming Lake. This artificial lake was created by extending an existing body of water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou.
   The Summer Palace was Situated in the Haidian District northwest of Beijing, Summer Palace is 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the downtown area. Being the largest and most well-preserved royal park in China, it greatly influences Chinese horticulture and landscape with its famous natural views and cultural interests, which also has long been recognized as 'The Museum of Royal Gardens'.
4. Back Lakes (Hou Hai)
   1h · Admission ticket included
   And then, take the private car to Hou hai alke area and do the rickshaw hutong tour, a Hutong tour will definitely provide you with a chance to mingle with local residents and get a unique travel experience in the intricate winding Hutongs. They are maze-like, deep and exactly as they were a long time ago, recording the history of the city. Even today, there are many residents reluctant to move from their beloved Hutongs. You can visit a local family's house to experience authentic Beijing life and stop every now and then to take pictures.
5. Nanluoguxiang
   1h
   Next, go to Nanluoguxiang and If you're keen on retail therapy, one must-see hutong is Nanluoguxiang in the Gulou, or Drum and Bell Tower, district, which has several kilometers of shops, galleries and cafés that range from the chic to the kitschy. You'll find lots of cool T-shirts here (Plastered has a good line) featuring tricked-out images of everything from Mao Zedong to garden gnomes.
6. Beijing
   10m
   Finally, your guide will escort you to your hotel. End of your services.

Pickup details

We can pick up any hotels in the Pingyao central

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Wheelchair accessible
• Can add more days if you want