Beijing Pingyao One Day Tour By Flight

Early in the morning pick-up from your hotel in Beijing and transfer to Beijing Capital Airport and take early morning flight for Taiyuan - the capital city of Shanxin Province.

Met and transfer to Pingyao Ancient City for a once-in-a-lifetime visit. First visit the Ancient City Wall of Pingyao City. The city of Pingyao is one of the four remaining well-preserved ancient cities in China. The city wall has a perimeter of 6.4 kilometers and is over 12 meters high and 3.5 meters wide. Then visit the Rishengchang Exchange Shop. It is the earliest bank in China, first opened in the 18th century.Rishengchang was the first money exchange shop in the history of China.

Afterwards, move on to the Mingqing Street. Ming and Qing Street, also called Nanda Jie. It is one of the busy and interesting streets in which to experience ancient Chinese culture. It is 440 long, Ming and Qing Street used to be the commercial center of Pingyao ancient city. Then proceed to visit Armed Escort Company Museum. It offers an eye-opening armed escorts in protecting commerce. Cash moving from one area needed the armed escort firm to thwart of thieving hands.

Finally visit County Government Office, an ancient city hall and law court. After the tour, take later afternoon flight back via Taiyuan to Beijing. Met and transfer to your hotel in Beijing. ( Lunch included )

Pingyao City Wall

Pingyao City Wall was first constructed in Xizhou Xuanwang period (827-728BC) when General Yinjipu had it established with mud to protest the city against outside invaders. Later several Reparations were made in each dynasties. In the year 1370, it was widened greatly with much stones and bricks. The City Wall was complete and well defended with 6.4km long. It is square with the southern section a little round and the other three sections straight. Made of bricks and mud, the ancient wall is 10 meters in length and 5 meters in width. There are totally 72 towers and 3000 crenels. Pingyao City Wall is regarded as "Tortoise City" from the past times and is also regarded as " the First City in North China" by some experts. It is now one of the cutural reolics under the State protection.

The Rishengchang Exchange Shop

The Rishengchang Exchange Shop is the earliest bank in China, first opened in the 18th century.Rishengchang was the first money exchange shop in the history of China. It was first set up in 1823 Qing Dynasty with head-office in the county of Pingyao and the first boss was Li Daquan.The first manager of Rishengchang was Lei Lvtai, a gifted and professional person in management. He was the most noted person at that time.

The Ancient Ming and Qing Streets

Pingyao is well known for its lanes and narrow streets ith a long history. The city's main attraction is Ming and Qing Street, also called Nanda Jie. It is one of the busy and interesting streets in which to experience ancient Chinese culture. It is 440 long, Ming and Qing Street used to be the commercial center of Pingyao ancient city.

The Qiao Family Courtyard

It was the courtyard of a rich family in the late 1700s and now still is well preserved. It became famous due to Zhang Yimou's film "Raise the Red Lantern" which used the whole courtyard as its background in the film. The courtyard occupies an area of 8,000 square metres and has six main courtyards and 19 small ones, with totally 313 rooms. From Apavilion on the south-western corner has a overlooking view over the entire courtyard. From this high point it becomes clear that the courtyard is laid out in the outline of the Chinese character Xi (happiness).