Pingyao Tours
31 years after the Stock Exchange began in Wall Street, Chinese banking began in Pingyao in 1823. When the world was busy changing its face, it kept its appearance of 2,700 years ago. You don't need a time machine — just come to Pingyao, and you will see the birthplace of "China's Wall Street", and experience the history of the best-preserved ancient town in China.
Pingyao is like a scroll displaying the development of China's economy, culture, society, and religion for nearly 3,000 years — the First Bank in China, displays of old armed escort companies, colored mud sculptures, wooden temples, the ancient city wall… every corner has its unique story.
Our Pingyao package tours pick out the most representative sights, utilize time efficiently, and thoughtfully present the gems of ancient Pingyao to you. We are flexible to tailoring your own trip according to your schedule, and offer professional suggestions.
Most Popular Pingyao Tour
Experience the rich ancient culture of China in the best preserved ancient walled town — Pingyao Ancient Town
Explore the Buddhism relics- Yungang Grottoesin Datong, combine with the Pingyao Ancient Town and Wang's Family Compound.
Visit the most important historical sites in China- Great Wall, Yungang Grottoes, Pingyao Ancient Twon and Terra-Cotta Warriors.
Immerse yourself into the glory history and stories of imperial family in Beijing, and touch the ordinary life of merchant in Pingyao.
This tour combined Beijing, Pingyao and Xian by bullet train, smart way to save the cost and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Pingyao Ancient City and Surrounding
Pingyao Vicinity Map
Common Questions Travelers Ask Us
1. What are the best sightseeing and transportation options in Datong and Pingyao?
It is recommended to spend one day in Datong (to see the town's attractions and the Yungang Grottoes,), one day traveling from Datong to Pingyao and sightseeing on the way (to see the Hanging Monastery, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, and the Wang Family Courtyard), and one day in Pingyao Ancient Town. The best way to get to Pingyao from Datong is to have a private vehicle. In order to have the most flexibility to enjoy the attractions along the way, we have a four-day package tour that includes the most representative attractions in Datong and Pingyao
2. What are the transportation links between Beijing and Datong?
There are two ways to get to Datong from Beijing: airplane and train. There are two daily flights from Beijing to Datong that depart in the early morning and late afternoon. The flights take 55 minutes. The train journeys take between 6½ and 8 hours, and most of them are overnight trains. They depart in the late evening (around 11pm) and arrive in the early morning.
3. What is an overnight train like? How is a train ticket booked?
For overnight trains, we recommend soft sleepers. There are four bunks in a compartment with a door for privacy. Each bunk has a pillow and a blanket. The toilets are at the end of the carriage and may be a Western toilet; however, they may not always be clean as they are used by people from other carriages. We can book the train ticket for you, and will usually purchase the ticket for a bottom bunk in the compartment, which is easier and steadier. If you do not want to share the compartment with other people, we can also book the whole compartment (four tickets).
4. What is the recommended transportation between Beijing, Pingyao, and Xi'an?
The fastest and easiest way between these three cities is to travel on the CRH (China Railway High-Speed), also known as the bullet train. Below are the schedules of the trains:
Beijing Xi (Beijing West Railway Station) – Pingyaogucheng (Pingyao Ancient Town Railway Station)
| Train Number | Departure City to Arrival City | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.
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13 days in China
We booked a 13 day’s tour of China with China Highlights. Our travel advisor, Ms Leah Zhou organised an itinerary that suited what we wanted. She was really helpful and patient will all our needs. Leah helped us organised our 30th Wedding Anniversary Dinner and my 60th Birthday celebration?? in Beijing. For this to be possible, she had to liaise with our guide in Beijing. The flowers and cake were a real surprise. My husband and I, were really touched at the good service provided by China Highlights and Ms Leah Zhou. Thank you China Highlights and Ms Leah Zhou for your constant care of your customers. I will certainly recommend China Highlights to my friends. more
Nov 2023,
Eda Adams
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Do Beijing like a local
They organised my trip very quickly and efficiently. On the day, Anna was very friendly to me, my mum and my baby. Very accommodating to our needs. The car was immaculately clean and very comfortable. We visited everything we initially wanted and more. Also, Anna took us to the best meal we had in China. It makes a difference to have a local choosing the dishes! more
Nov 2023,
Natali A
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Beijing 2 day tour
Spent 2 days in Beijing with Ethan as my guide and had a fantastic experience. Ethan is very knowledgeable, easy company and takes excellent photographs. The organisation was excellent as well including the driver for the tour as well the airport pick up. more
Nov 2023,
Tam
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Excellent Two Weeks Across China
We used Asia Highlights (China Highlights in China) to help plan two weeks across China: Beijing, Xian, Guilin, a Yangtze cruise and Shanghai. Albee helped put it all together and was a huge help. She was very responsive and all the guides in each city were excellent! The hotels were perfect. We would definitely use the company once again for other trips to Asia. more
Oct 2023,
Charles
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Great Experience with China Highlights
Over at Beijing, Angela met us at the train station and ensured we were well settled in our hotel. We spent 2 days with her as our Guide. Angela is well informed and also adapted the itinerary to cover areas we wanted to take advantage off, e.g. apple picking at the orchard! The driver we had on both legs were good and friendly. more
Oct 2023,
Edwin
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China Round Trip in October 2023 Family FT & G Braun from Germany
Here in Beijing we got Jack as a tour guide who is very knowledgeable and supportive as well as flexible when there is a change in the program needed. Communication with him is easy as he is fluent in English. It is difficult to say which attraction is the greatest as all are outstanding being it the Forbidden City, the Great Wall or the Summer Palace as well as the Temple of Heaven. The driver, Mr. Hu needs also to be mentioned very positively as he politely took special care of us and his driving style was safe and patient with all the heavy traffic situations. more
Oct 2023,
Franz-Theo Braun
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Beijing Experience
I engaged Roger Li at China Highlights to arrange a One Day Beijing Tour for my clients from Brazil and the UK after our business meetings last week. Not only did the clients have a fantastic time visiting Tiananmen Square, Forbidden Palace and the Great Wall all in one day; but they came back with rave reviews on how well the day was organised and commented on the expertise of the tour guide too. I had 4 very happy clients then meet me in Shanghai for part 2 of meetings - thanks to Roger and Felix! Many thanks again. more
Oct 2023,
Bobby Tsang
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Jinshanling amazing hiking trip
We took the hiking trip Jinshanling package, we like it because the view was amazing, not much crowd and our tour guide arrange everything perfectly. We like it.However please be aware that this hiking trip will involve challenging stairs step and inclination, but still suitable for someone that exercise regularly. more
Oct 2023,
Frans A
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Awesome experience!
Awesome experience touring Beijing with China Highlights. My tour guide, Jennifer, was knowledgeable, professional, friendly, and very accommodating. It was like taking a tour with a friend. My favorite part of the tour was walking the Great Wall of China. Jennifer made sure to take me to a remote area, not just the crowded tourist area near Beijing, so I could get a more authentic experience. more
Oct 2023,
Consumer
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Awesome personalized tour. Well worth the money.
Lily Liu was our guide. I highly recommend using her. She helped us check out several local places that we absolutely loved and was great at answering all our questions and helping us experience Peking duck, Hawthorne and other things we were curious about. more
Oct 2023,
Jessica P
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Two great weeks!
We had Olivia as our tour guide in Beijing and Mervyn in Xi'an. They were both fantastic at their job and made us feel so welcome and added to the great experience we were already having. So grateful to their professionalism and wide knowledge as well as their friendliness. We're glad that China Highlights took us to the Mutianyu Wall instead of the crowded Badaling Wall. Less crowded and great views all around! more
Oct 2023,
Road36501241284
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Beijing 4 day trip
Silvia arranged my itinerary which included buying the high speed train ticket from Shanghai to Beijing and airport transfers. I did not have to think about anything. She added places to the itinerary which I would not have known to visit . more
Oct 2023,
Wing Yee Cheung
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Amazing 2 weeks because of China Highlights
We had Olivia as our tour guide in Beijing and Mervyn in Xi'an. They were both fantastic at their job and made us feel so welcome and added to the great experience we were already having. So grateful to their professionalism and wide knowledge as well as their friendliness.All in all, we are so glad for China Highlights. Affordable and really value-for-money kinda tour. more
Oct 2023,
Elisabeth Zackrina
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One Day Beijing Trip (Great Wall, Summer Palace) With Jennifer
My tour guide Jennifer made this quick one day trip to Beijing great! The day started out a bit overcast and rainy when I landed, but Jennifer’s positive attitude and kind communication (along with her being able to keep up/put up with my jokes) made it fine.Despite this, Jennifer and our driver Chen were able to swing an extra photo shoot stop at the Olympic Stadium. I guess it gives me an excuse to come back to visit again, and when I do - I will use China Highlights and this great fantastic team. more
Sep 2023,
Alan Landau
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Best Great Wall experience
Used China Highlights for a private all-day tour of Jinshanling portion of the Great Wall. One of the best days of my life! Tour guide Alan and a driver met me at my hotel and the ride was very comfortable. Alan was extremely knowledgable and friendly, I really enjoyed talking with him. The scenery was astoundingly beautiful; this is a less touristy portion of the Wall. The hiking was fun, Alan brought plenty of water, and showed me things I would not have noticed by myself. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a local restaurant for lunch that Alan had arranged - delicious! Once in a lifetime experience. more
Sep 2023,
LZviajera
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Non-standard private China tour
I booked a 4 weeks private China tour with ChinaHighlights covering landscapes and cultural sites between Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Hangzhou and Shanghai. The entire tour was set up accurately, very fast and in the light of all relevant personal preferences by Mrs. Carol Wang, an expert in organizing hand made voyages in China. Due to her knowledge and immediate responses the tour was scheduled comfortably and straightforward, including all transfers and authentic hotel bookings. I highly recommend ChinaHighlights and in particular Carol Wang for organizing any extraordinary, non-mainstream travel to China. more
Sep 2023,
Dr. Manfred Leubner
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Alisa Liu
Alisa was very helpful tailoring a trip to China for my wife and I.Alisa was able to put together a great itinerary at a reasonable cost.Alisa is very conscientious and pays attention to detail.Example - We had a midnight flight into Shanghai on one segment of the tour. Alisa followed the flight until an earlier flight became available. Alisa changed the flight, guide and driver. Alisa has great attention to detail. Thank you Alisa. Al and Debbie more
Sep 2023,
AI Cluett
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Best way to see Beijing
Our guide Lily Liu was lovely - super patient, warm, knowledgeable about Chinese history, and great English skills. Would definitely recommend this service! more
Sep 2023,
Stephanie N
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Amazing tour!
Our guide, Linda, was by far the best person to have for our tours of The Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, and Mutianyu Great Wall. She was an encyclopedia with great knowledge of Chinese History and was able to explain every detail of what we were seeing. She picked us up with a very nice car and driver from our hotel both days, at the time most convenient to us, and dropped us back off wherever we wanted at the end of our tours. Both the Forbidden City and the Great Wall are marvels of human and Chinese achievements and are a must to see in Beijing. Visiting them both with a tour guide that feels more like a friend was certainly helping enjoying it even more. more
Sep 2023,
Robin Z
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Beijing is AMAZING
Linda Wang our amazing tour guide helped us to have an unforgettable trip to all the best of Beijing. From organizing the driver (also excellent) to drop us/pick us up exactly when we were leaving busy tourist sites, excellent food recommendations, fascinating knowledge relevant to us and our children (13yo and 11yo) making The Forbidden City, Tiannamen Square, Great Wall, Beijing Zoo and The Hutongs thoroughly enjoyable. Handling all the entrance/exit passport and ticket requirements, interpreting, answering any questions we had about local culture, we were so comfortable and happy, never rushed, everything you could want and more. more
Sep 2023,
Michelle A
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