Pingyao Highlights Tour
2-Day Pingyao Highlights Tour
See the most highlight attractions in Pingyao and surrounding in 2 days. Have an informative trip with your personal tour guide.
Highlights
- Experience the rich ancient culture of China in the best preserved ancient walled town — Pingyao Ancient Town
- Explore the "unrestored glory" of Pingyao Ancient Town — the Shuanglin Temple, and reveal the history of the sculptures that are covered by dust
- Visit the "Forbidden City in Folk" — Wang's Family Compound — and pry into the life of a family of public officials during the Ming and Qing dynasties
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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The tour was of The Greta Wall of China
The tour was excellent. Selinda was very knowledgeable about all the aspects of our tour. Selinda was very interesting and knew so much Chinese history more
Mar 2024, Alice W
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Beautiful Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful guide, whose praises we can not sing loudly enough, was compassionate, caring, and overall endearing! His sense of ease and familiarity with each sight, which were unfamiliar wonders to us, provided a sense of peacefulness that facilitated full enjoyment - helped too by his punctuality and attention to detail. more
Feb 2024, apisn2023
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The Highlights and High Life of Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful tour guide, made our entire trip an absolute joy for us as he was extraordinarily caring, considerate, and generous. Having had the pleasure of taking in the sights of Beijing previously with another lovely guide, Angela, it was spectacular not only to show the family how fantastic the city is but also how high the quality of services provided by China Highlights are. Each day unveiled a new treasure, helpfully detailed by Ethan, and punctuated by delicious and varied local food. Our driver, Mr. Chen, was also a delight, and was equally as key to the overall experience as he was both attentive and almost mystically punctual! more
Feb 2024, Apis
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Great Time in Beijing
Our 4-day experience in Beijing was unforgettable. Our guide, Selinda, opened the doors to the city's millennia-old history and culture with her knowledge, kindness, and courtesy. We discovered magnificent places, tasted delicious food, and stayed in clean hotels, all accompanied by safe and reliable transportation service. We recommend traveling with China Highlights. more
Feb 2024, Nicola B
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3rd time the charm, is being charmed for the 3rd time.
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan Mueller
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3rd time the charm, is charmed for the 3rd time
The sites stay the same but each time we have done this tour, the tour guides manage to make it feel like it is the first time you are experiencing it. And, with the constant renovations, this time we were able to see previous areas that were unavailable the last time we came. more
Feb 2024, Jonathan M
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Great trip and experience!
From beginning to end, China Highlights was very courteous, responsive and attentive in planning and executing a great trip!Aspects and execution of the trip was as discussed and was an overall great experience. Our guide, Michael, was very kind and knowledgeable throughout the tour and would address all questions and help us take lots of photos. Would definitely travel with China Highlights again! more
Feb 2024, Karol
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3rd the charm is charmed for the 3rd time
This is my 3rd tour of Beijing in the last 18 months and I think that speaks a little to the quality of service you get with China Highlights. Each time the sites are the same but each tour guide managed to present them in new and wonderful ways. Also some attractions that were undergoing renovations have been completed, so there were new things to see as well.A big thanks to Mr. Michael, our tour this time around. He was very gregarious and knowledgeable about all the sites. more
Feb 2024, jkjmueller
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1 Day in Beijing
Nice views, Not too much people, Jessi (guide ) so friendly and she have a great service & she knows the answer of all your questions more
Feb 2024, Fernando J
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Fabulous day!
Jesse He ,she is a nice tourist guide patience and take good care for us. We had a wonderful time in Beijing,we did the forbidden city and greatwall We love everything ! more
Feb 2024, Charon R
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Private trip in Beijing and Luoyang
We spent 3 days in Beijing with Helen as our guide. We went to TianAnMen, Forbidden City and MuTianYu Great Wall to name a few. Helen took great care of us and is very attentive as I travel with my 60+ years old parents, from asking whether we need restroom breaks to making sure that our lunch were all according to our dietary needs more
Jan 2024, Iriana Iriana
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An excellent day with Linda
Linda (Ling ling)is a great tour guide,provide a lot of knowledge and history of the great wall,and took us to taste very delicious food too,we had a very good time with her!highly recommend her! more
Jan 2024, Angeline Lim
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Great time in Beijing with Bruce
We stayed in Beijing for three days altogether. We went to the summer palace. the Tian'an'men square, the Forbidden City,the Temple of heaven and the Great Wall. Our tour guide Bruce is very friendly and speaks English fluently. He explained every scenic spot to us patiently and humorously. my family are very satisfied with his service. more
Jan 2024, Mayra C
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Bucket List Trip to China
My first stop in China was Beijing. Ethan was my guide there. Daily, they would pick me up and take me to the spots on the itinerary. He helped me plan outside activities like a Chinese acrobat show. He even walked me to my seat in my theater so I could easily find my correct chair. What was most helpful was Ethan waiting with me at the train station and even helping me on to my seat and giving the train attendant my meal order. Very little English was spoken by the train attendant. more
Jan 2024, Megan Sandbothe
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Great Wall at Jinshanling
We went to the Great Wall at Jinshanling which is a very beautiful place which is not that busy. In fact most of the time it felt like we were alone on the wall.The tourguide (Jack) was very knowledgeable and very friendly.A big thumbs up more
Jan 2024, Onno
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Private trip in Beijing and Luoyang
We spent 3 days in Beijing with Helen as our guide. We went to TianAnMen, Forbidden City and MuTianYu Great Wall to name a few. Helen took great care of us and is very attentive as I travel with my 60+ years old parents, from asking whether we need restroom breaks to making sure that our lunch were all according to our dietary needs. We had great 3 days in Beijing.We also visited Luoyang. Our travel advisor arranged a Business class seat for our high speed train to Luoyang. We were picked up at the station by our guide in Luoyang, Lisa. We then visited Dengfeng to see Songyang academy, shaolin temple, Luoyang grottoes. She also took care of us very well and very knowledgeable about the history. more
Jan 2024, lriana lriana
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Beijing 2024
We traveled to Beijing with China Highlights in January 2024. Our tour guide Ethan was organized and knowledgeable which made our trip seamless and very interesting!! He helpfully suggested additional activities if we had time in the evenings and assisted us in booking tickets for them. Visiting the Mutianyu Great wall of China was a big highlight of our time in Beijing! more
Jan 2024, Lydia
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Beijing 2024
We traveled to Beijing with China Highlights in January 2024. Our tour guide Ethan was organized and knowledgeable which made our trip seamless and very interesting!! He helpfully suggested additional activities if we had time in the evenings and assisted us in booking tickets for them. Visiting the Mutianyu Great wall of China was a big highlight of our time in Beijing more
Jan 2024, Explore49612084715
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Beijing
Fantastic couple days in Beijing. Thank you to my guide Mark who eloquently relayed stories about China history and culture. more
Jan 2024, Steve P
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Jack is an excellent guide
Jack is an excellent guide, very patient, punctual, wonderful command of english. I recommend him any day. more
Jan 2024, Brahma
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Suggested Itinerary
Your private guide will be on time, holding a sign with your name on it and waiting for you at the exit of the train station. A comfortable private car (non-smoking) and experienced driver will transfer you to your hotel in the ancient town.
After check-in, you will start the half-day trip in China's best preserved ancient walled town — be ready to experience the shock of the rich culture.
The Rishengchang Former Bank is the site of the first draft bank in China. Your tour guide will explain how the bank operated, and it will be interesting to see what banking used to be like 150 years ago.
Under the environment of social unrest in the poor Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), the protection of the tangible currency was extremely important; therefore, escort companies appeared. Pingyao was the birthplace of Xing Yi Quan (shape and impression boxing, which is a kind of Chinese kung fu). The Armed Escort Company Museum shows how this special business was formed and how it was run, and also introduces the top 10 escort companies and top 10 guards — they were all kung fu masters.
After seeing the highlights of the ancient town, it is great to go up high and have a view of the roofs of the ancient buildings. You will go up to the Ancient City Wall at dusk, and have a glimpse of the town before darkness arrives.
Have dinner in the Mingqing Street area, which is the most prosperous area in the ancient town. The lanterns are all on at night, and it is very lively there in the evening.
AccommodationHongshanyi Inn (4-star)/Yunjincheng Folk Hotel (5-star).
Good to Know:
High-speed trains from Beijing and Xi'an will arrive in Pingyao at noon or in the late afternoon. Depending on your arrival time, your tour guide might adjust the visiting order of the attractions. Your travel advisor will also give you suggestions.
The Shuanglin Temple is about 10 minutes driving distance from the ancient town, today we will start from it. It has over 2,000 colored mud sculptures, and considered to be the "unrestored glory" of Pingyao.
Then you will drive in a southerly direction for one hour to the Wang Family Courtyard. Lunch will be arranged in a local restaurant on the way — your tour guide will assist you with reading the menu and ordering the dishes, and you will taste the most authentic local food.
The Wang's Family Compound has a nickname — the Forbidden City in Folk. Different from the famous Qiao's Family Compound, the Wang family was an official family, which had a higher social status. The family's generations lasted for over 300 years and built the compound that is approximately 250,000 square meters in size, among which 45,000 square meters (one fifth) is open to tourists. There are 123 courtyards and 1,118 rooms. You will spend about two hours there.
After the visit to the Wang's Family Compound, your guide and driver will take you to the train station and say goodbye.
Trip Notes
1. Map of Pingyao Ancient Town
2. Accommodations in Pingyao Ancient Town
Most hotels and hostels in the ancient town are in traditional Chinese style, you will see antique courtyard and wooden furniture, and even have a chance to experience sleeping on a "kang"-- heatable brick bed that popular in North China. Extra quilt can be required to soften the bed.
3. Easy Trip Planning
Our 1 to 1 private travel advisors will give you professional suggestions, you can alter the itinerary, extend or shorten it to suit your price, interest and schedule. Feel free to tell us your requirements, and we are happy to help you arrange with our professional knowledge and experience.
4. Payment Methods
We now offer 3 payment methods: PayPal, credit card authorization via fax and wire transfer. PayPal is recommended for its safety and efficiency. You can pay USA dollars, Australian dollars, European dollars and Great Britain Pound directly with your credit card or debit card, even if you don't have PayPal account.
5. Optional Extra Tour
An optional extra is to spend an half day exploring Zhangbi Ancient Village. Zhangbi Ancient Village, or Zhangbi Ancient Castle, is located approximately 1½ hours' drive from Pingyao Ancient Town. With an area of approximately 12 square miles, it was initially established as part of a military defense system. Its underground tunnel was scientifically constructed according to ancient Chinese astrology. Temples and old buildings are dotted around the village.
If your time permits, it is suggested to visit the Zhangbi Ancient Village and the Mian Mountain in a full day.
Mian Mountain is the birthplace of national cultural heritage. The mountain is noted for its natural and cultural scenes, especially for its cultural relics, including Cold Food culture, Buddhist culture, Taoist culture and health preservation culture. Covering an area of 75 square kilometers, the mountain is a national scenic spot with 14 tourist areas and 400 attractions. It is worth visiting in any season. Visitors are able to participate in local traditional activities and watch folk performances.
6. Utilize Your Weekend
Pingyao is a small destination that suitable for a weekend trip. Benefited from the high-speed train, it's convenient to take a bullet train directly from Beijing/Xian. Tell us your travel date, and we are happy to book the trains for you! .
7. Train Information
CRH (China Railway High-Speed, which is also known as a bullet train) operates between Beijing, Pingyao, and Xi'an, with the following timetables:
Beijing Xi (Beijing West Railway Station)– Pingyaogucheng (Pingyao Ancient Town Railway Station)
Train Number | Departure City to Arrival City | Duration |
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D2001 | 07:52 Beijing Xi – 12:08 Pingyaogucheng | 4h 16m |
G609 | 10:33 Beijing Xi – 14:32 Pingyaogucheng | 3h 59m |
D2005 | 15:29 Beijing Xi – 19:45 Pingyaogucheng | 4h 16m |
Pingyaogucheng (Pingyao Ancient Town Railway Station) – Beijing Xi (Beijing West Railway Station)
Train Number | Departure City to Arrival City | Duration |
---|---|---|
D2002 | 08:42 Pingyaogucheng – 12:55 Beijing Xi | 4h 13m |
G616 | 13:40 Pingyaogucheng – 17:28 Beijing Xi | 3h 48m |
D2006 | 16:16 Pingyaogucheng – 20:39 Beijing Xi | 4h 23m |
Xi'an Bei (Xi'an North Railway Station) – Pingyaogucheng (Pingyao Ancient Town Railway Station)
Train Number | Departure City to Arrival City | Duration |
---|---|---|
D2506 | 09:38 Xi'an Bei – 12:23 Pingyaogucheng | 2h 45m |
D2512 | 11:07 Xi'an Bei – 14:14 Pingyaogucheng | 3h 07m |
D2514 | 12:10 Xi'an Bei – 15:10 Pingyaogucheng | 3h |
D2518 | 13:40 Xi'an Bei – 16:47 Pingyaogucheng | 3h 07m |
D2532 | 16:12 Xi'an Bei – 19:26 Pingyaogucheng | 3h 14m |
D2530 | 19:05 Xi'an Bei – 22:04 Pingyaogucheng | 2h 59m |
Pingyaogucheng (Pingyao Ancient Town Railway Station) – Xi'an Bei (Xi'an North Railway Station)
Train Number | Departure City to Arrival City | Duration |
---|---|---|
D2503 | 08:40 Pingyaogucheng – 11:55 Xi'an Bei | 3h 15m |
D2031 | 10:05 Pingyaogucheng – 13:12 Xi'an Bei | 3h 07m |
D2513 | 14:11 Pingyaogucheng – 17:04 Xi'an Bei | 2h 53m |
D2521 | 16:38 Pingyaogucheng – 19:45 Xi'an Bei | 3h 07m |
D2529 | 20:00 Pingyaogucheng – 22:40 Xi'an Bei | 2h 40m |
Price includes: