Xian Pingyao Datong Beijing 7 Day Tour

Met at Xian Airport, or Xian Train Station and then transferred to your hotel ( booked by us ).

After lunch, first visit Big Goose Pagoda for a visit. Big Goose Pagoda is one of the oldest structures in China. Originally Big Goose Pagoda consisted of a brick structure of five storeys and was about 60 meters high. First built in 589A.D.in the Sui Dynasty. It is one of the city's most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, possibly the most beautiful building left in Xian today.

Then move on and ascend the Bell Tower. In Chinese history from Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), each city had a bell tower and a drum tower. The bell was sounded at dawn and the drum at dusk each day in ancient time, a means of telling time.

Finally visit the Muslim Quarters(excluding the visit to the Great Mosque). Xian Muslim Quarters is just located behind ( north of ) the Drum Tower. The Xian muslim quarters is a delightful place you mustn't miss! The bazaar in the Muslim area is most attractive with a wide area of stalls selling everything. The streets and walkways are full of life. The shopping is great, very cheap and some unusual items we will seldom see anywhere else in China. End of service. Transferred to your hotel in Xian.

Xian

Pick up from your hotel in Xian. First visit the Terra-cotta Warriors. The original site was found by a local farmer drilling a well in 1974. Now it has turned into the most important attraction in Xian - Terracotta Warriors and Horse Museum. The museum includes Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3 as well the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. The Pit 1 is the largest of the three. The museum and the mausoleum are listed the world's cultural legacies as the UNESCO.

After lunch, drive back to the city center of Xian, and continue to visit the City Wall. The main magnet of Xian is the city wall, which is the most complete city wall that has survived in China as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. You can walk, even cycle on the wall. Its south gate is the most largest with a suspension bridge. Most of the tourists choose the south gate for sightseeing. At the end of the day tour, back to your hotel in Xian.

Pick up from your hotel in Xian and take the 3-hour morning high speed train for Pingyao. Arrival at Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station, met by our English speaking tour guide and transferred to Pingyao.

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 Coutyard has been receiving hundreds and thousands of tourists all year round.

After Qiao Family Courtyard, move on to Pingyao Ancient City. Check-in at your 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.

Late afternoon tour begins withthe 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, and 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.

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 dewllings under the wall.

After Wang's Family Courtyard, continue to drive north 20km to the restuarant 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 attacted. After Zhangbi Underground Castle, back to Pingyao.

After breakfast, you are transferred to Pingyai train station for the 3 hours' high-speed train going to Datong. Arriving in Datong at noon time. After lunch, visit Yungang Grottoes. These grottoes are the main reason that people make a trip to Datong. The grottoes hold over 50,000 Buddihist statues and stretch for about 1 km east to west. Transfer to your hotel after the tour.

Pick up from your hotel in Datong. First drive to Hanging Temple, 65 km away south-east of Datong. The temple hangs on the west cliff of a hill with over 50 meters above the ground, hence Hanging Monastery. Hanging Monastery was first in 491. The biggest attraction of Hanging Temple is the fact that the temple includes Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

Then move on to Yingxian County to visit the Wooden Pagoda, the oldest wooden Buddhist pagoda in existence in China. The pagoda is 67 meters high the pagoda wih a 9 story octagonal building. It was was buit without using any nails. Transferred back to your hotel in Datong.

After breakfast, transferred to Datong Railway Station and take the 2 hour high-speed train for Beijing. Arriving in Beijing, met and transferred to your hotel and you are free on your own.