10-Day Private Tour to Beijing,Datong,Pingyao and Xi'an by Bullet Train

Day 1: Beijing. O/N Beijing.

1. Beijing
   10m
   At 09:00am, our 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, we 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
   40m
   And then , we 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, we 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!

Day 2: Beijing. O/N Beijing.

1. Beijing
   10m
   In the morning,our 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
   18h
   At the end, your guide will escort you to your Beijing hotel.

Day 3: Beijing. O/N Beijing.

1. Beijing
   10m
   Our 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 Place, Melville Road, Hyde Park
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Afterwards,we 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 30m
   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
   17h
   At the end, your guide will escort you to your hotel.

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

1. Beijing Railway Station
   1h
   In the morning around 7:20am,we will drive to Beijing Railway Station, where a train to Datong is waiting for you(G2505 8:40-11:00am). The train takes around 2.5 hours.
2. 20m
   Upon arrival at Datong, you will be picked up on time with our Datong local guide and transferred to Datong hotel.
3. Yungang Grottoes
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After checking in and lunch, we will head to Yungang Grottoes.
   Upon arrival at the Yungang Grottoes, our 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.
4. Datong
   17h
   At the end, your guide will escort you to your Datong hotel.

Day 5: Datong - Pingyao by train. O/N Pingyao.

1. Datong
   10m
   In the morning, we 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 we 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
   After lunch, we will drive to Datong Railway Station, where a train to Taiyuan is waiting for you. The train takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival at Taiyuan, you will be picked up on time and transferred to the Pingyao hotel.

Day 6: Pingyao. O/N Pingyao.

1. Ancient City of Pingyao
   6h
   Our guide will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel at 09:00 in the morning and today we 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
   Then, 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 7: Pingyao - Xi'an by train. O/N Xi'an.

1. Pingyao County
   10m
   Our 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. 1h
   At the end,we drive you back to Pingyao Railway Station where a train to Xi'an is waiting for you. The train takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival at Xi'an, you will be picked up on time and transferred to the hotel.

Day 8: Xi'an. O/N Xi'an.

1. Xi'an
   10m
   Today,our tour guide can meet you at your Xi'an hotel lobby at 9:00am then transfer to Terracotta Warriors Museum, need 80 minutes driving,45km.
2. The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
   2h · Admission ticket included
   As the former capital of China, Xi’an was the seat of the Chinese Emperor for more than 10 dynasties over a period of 1,000 years. On this full-day, 8-hour private tour you will visit one of the highlights of Xi’an, the thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors in the superb mausoleum museum.
   Visiting the Terracotta Warriors and Horses is a highlight of any Xi'an tour, and gives you the chance to see more than 8,000 life-size Qin Dynasty-era model soldiers. Discovered in 1974, the warriors are located to the east of Emperor Qin Shihuang's Tomb, where the man who first unified China is buried.
   Among the three pits, No. 1 pit is the largest, containing more than 6,000 clay warriors and horses in 11 three-meter deep corridors. Since their discovery, the warriors have captured the world’s imagination as they have traveled the globe, from England to America to Chile.
   The warriors and horses are now back in China, displayed in an oblong battle formation of the Qin Dynasty. Facing east, they look healthy and determined, with different facial expressions that all reflect Emperor Qingshihuang's determination to wipe out the other 6 states and unify the entire country.
   Travel from Xi’an City with a private guide to get an intimate view of this magnificent exhibition, with personalized attention and the best local knowledge available.
3. Small Goose Pagoda
   1h
   Next, we will Transfer to Small Wild Goose Pagoda which is located inside Jianfu Temple, about one kilometer south of Xi'an city proper. It is one of the two famous and important Buddhist pagodas erected in the Tang Dynasty about 1300 years ago. Small Wild Goose Pagoda and its large neighbor, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, are two important Buddhist sites, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, 1300 years ago.
   
   The two pagodas were a symbol of Chang'an (Constant Peace) city. Xi'an (West Peace) was called Chang'an until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when Beijing became the capital of China. Chang'an had served as the capital for ten dynasties.
4. Xi'an City Wall
   1h · Admission ticket included
   After the lunch, we will Transfer to city wall.You can walking or cycling around the wall, the bike fees you pay locally if you do that.
   The first landmark visitors will encounter in Xian is the ancient City Wall, which stretches round the old city. It is also one of the most famous attractions in Xian. Today, this wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
5. Muslim Quarter
   1h 30m
   Our last stop will be the Muslim Bazaar, the most thriving area of the city. If you are interested, you can explore the bazaar at your own pace and then return to the hotel by yourself. Our guide will give you directions for returning to your hotel. The Great Mosque and the Bell and Drum Tower Square are within walking distance of the Bazaar. There are many boutique stores at fair prices in Bazaar and also a number of excellent choices of food for dinner.
   
   If you prefer not to tour the Muslim Bazaar, we will take you back to the hotel. End of our services.

Day 9: Mount Huashan. O/N Xi'an.

1. Xi'an
   10m
   In the morning,our tour guide will meet you at your Xi'an hotel lobby at 7:30am then transfer to Mount Huashan, need 2.5hrs driving,120km.
2. Mount Huashan
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Today you have to get up early so as to take the new cable car up to the West peak, then you can challenge other peaks. Mt. Hushan is well-known for its steep and high peaks, and it enjoys a great reputation for its fall scenes, blue sky with white clouds, and the red maple leaves scattered in the valleys here and there.
   
   Situated in Huayin City, Mount Huashan is 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Xi'an. It is famous for natural vista of steep and narrow paths, precipitous crags and a high mountain range. Its five peaks are the representative attractions and each has its distinctive charms: East Peak is the best place to enjoy the sunrise; South Peak has the highest altitude; West Peak is the most elegant; North Peak is famous as the Cloud Terrace Peak and Middle Peak is also called Jade Lady Peak.
3. Xi'an
   17h
   At the end, your guide will escort you to your Xi'an hotel.

Day 10: Departure from Xi'an. The tour end.

1. 2h
   Today, there is no activities, you can have a rest and our driver(just the driver, no guide) will takes you to the Xi'an airport or railway station according to your flight/train departure time. End of our 10 days tour services.

Pickup details

We can pick up the hotels of Beijing central.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Can add more days if you want.
• The last day train/flight ticket of departure from Xi'an not included.
• The last day of departure from Xi'an, just offer the private car and driver services, no guide.