Pingyao 3 Day Tour

Arrival at Pingyao train stations at noon ( train tickets on your own ), met by our English speaking tour guide and transferred to our pre-arranged hotel inside Pingyao Ancient City.

Before getting to Pingyao Ancient City, you are arranged to have a side trip to Qiao Family Courtyard. The fame of Qiao Family Courtyard is linked to the Chinese film director - Zhangyimou. Zhang Yimou is an internationally acclaimed Chinese filmmaker and one-time cinematographer. He made his directorial debut in 1987 with the film Red Sorghum. In 1992, he made a film named "Raise the Red Lanterns", nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. From then on, Qiao Family Courtyard has been receiving hundreds and thousands of tourists all year round.

After Qiao Family Courtyard, move on to Pingyao Ancient City. Check-in at our pre-arranged lodging in Pingyao. There are lots of eateries in Pingyao including the yummy food in your guesthouse and easy for you to arrange your own lunch and dinner at affordable prices.

Afternoon tour begins with the Mingqing Street. Ming and Qing Street, also called Nanda Jie (South Avenue). 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 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.

Continue to 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. Back to your hotel in Pingyao.

After breakfast, drive south about 60km for Wang's Family Courtyard .Wang's Family Courtyard was once one of the richest family in Shanxi Province, very successful business man. It has hundreds of rooms to meet family needs. People are especially amazed by the architecture of the huge courtyard house from 300 years ago. Also from family city wall, you can see some old cave dwellings under the wall.

After Wang's Family Courtyard, continue to drive north 20km to the restaurant by Zhangbi Village. You will have lunch in the local restaurant with yummy local foods on your own. After lunch, walk into Zhangbi Village to visit the ancient tunnels and the old village itself popularly known as Zhangbi Underground Castle. The Village has the oldest and longest tunnels in all China. With three sides facing gullies, one leaning on the mountains, Zhangbi Village was once an military fortified village with easily guided and difficultly attacked. After Zhangbi Underground Castle, back to Pingyao.

After breakfast, continue your morning tour in Pingyao. First visit Armed Escort Company Museum. It offers an eye-opening armed escort in protecting commerce. Cash moving from one area needed the armed escort firm to thwart thieving hands.

Finally visit County Government Office, an ancient city hall and law court. At the end of your Pingyao tour, you are either free on your own or transferred to Pingyao train station for your next destination.