Essence of Datong and Pingyao
Have you ever seen a temple perched on a cliff? Step into the mysterious world of ancient Chinese architecture and captivating Chinese culture. You can explore the breathtaking Hanging Temple, the largest Buddhist grottoes in China, and the ancient town of Pingyao, savoring authentic local cuisine and experiencing the wonders of historical sites. Join us for a unique customized journey, where we design an itinerary tailored to your interests, allowing you to delve into the stories behind each attraction.
Tour Highlights
Enjoy the thrilling but safe experience at the Hanging Temple
Visit one of the biggest Buddhism Grottoes in China, the Yungang Grottoes
Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Pingyao Ancient Town
Explore the "Forbidden City for Common Folk" - the Wang Family Compound
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Beijing in a day
My partner found this company and booked with ease and no hassle. From start to finish we have been so looked after, upon arrival in Beijing after a train from Shanghai we were met by our guide Selinda. She has been amazing through out the day, flexible with times. She showed us the best place to get some food and then taking us to and from the Great Wall was filled with information and little facts. Plenty of time was given to explore the wall and then we were taken for some dumplings to revive us. Selinda made sure we were looked after and ensured we got back on the correct train. She made this trip so much less stressful and much more enjoyable. Would highly recommend this company for future use. more
Jan 2025, French-Biscuit14
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Great way to tour Beijing
My daughter and I toured Beijing with Selinda. She was prompt, professional, friendly, and helpful. We saw Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu Great Wall section. At each site she shared the history and offered suggestions of good places for pictures. She was attentive to us and made sure we had everything we needed. The driver was helpful and having him drop us off and pick us up was immensely helpful. We toured the Summer Palace with Jason and he also did a stellar job sharing interesting facts and information which gave us context and a greater appreciation of what we saw. Jason, like Selinda, did a splendid job suggesting good photo spots and always happily offered to take our picture for us. I highly recommend these two tour guides and the driver. This was a great way to see some of the tourist attractions in Beijing. more
Jan 2025, Chris
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Epic time in Beijing with Selinda Zhang
A huge shoutout to our most awesome tour guide Selinda Zhang!!! She is a walking talking encyclopaedia with a wealth of knowledge both historic and current. She made our visits to well preserved historical sites all the more interesting sharing architecture, literature, Chinese penmanship and poems to highlight the significance of each site we visited! She engages both adults and children and usually reticent kids were asking questions and learnt heaps about Beijing history this trip. We had an epic time in Beijing thanks to Selinda!! more
Jan 2025, Hwei ling C
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Suggested Itinerary
Your private guide will be holding a sign with your name, and waiting for you at the exit of the train station / airport. A comfortable private car (non-smoking), and experienced driver will be ready. You will explore the main attractions in Datong city.
The Datong Nine-Dragon Screen Wall is the oldest and largest glazed screen in China. A screen wall is a traditional Chinese architectural feature, used for block the view from the front gate.
Huayan Temple is not far from the Nine-Dragon Screen Wall. It has the world's second largest wooden pagoda. Under the pagoda there is an underground Thousand Buddha Palace, which is made of pure copper. It is all copper from the ceiling to the floor.
Lunch will be arranged in a local social restaurant, and your tour guide will assist you to make the order, so you can taste the most authentic local food.
In the afternoon you will visit one of the biggest Buddhist grottoes in China - the Yungang Grottoes . We will arrange a battery cart at the attraction, so you can avoid the long walk between grottoes and have more time to see the statues.
After the day trip, have a good rest in your hotel, and prepare for the adventures of the next day. Your guide will be happy to recommend some local restaurants near you hotel for your dinner.
Accommodation
Garden International Hotel (4-star)/ Shanxi World Trade Hotel (5-star)
It takes about 5½ hours by car from Datong to Pingyao, but don't worry: you won't feel boring on the way! After breakfast in your hotel, drive 1½ hours to the Hanging Temple.
True to its name, the Hanging Temple is hanging on a cliff. Ancient people built this temple to store food and water for people who passed by, and accepted three major Chinese religions, so that travelers of those religions could stay there.
Why built so high? It followed a requirement of Taoism: "Do not hear the rooster crow and dog bark." It meant the temple had to be built in a quiet place, far from noisy living.
Lunch will be arranged near the Hanging Temple, and then you will head to the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. As a UNESCO site, the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is the oldest and tallest surviving wooden structure in China.
After the pagoda travel by highway directly to Pingyao, and check in at your hotel in Pingyao Ancient Town.
Accommodation
Hongshanyi Inn (4-star)/ Yunjincheng Folk Hotel (5-star)
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.
Wake up in your traditional-Chinese-style room. It's better to start the day with the Ancient City Wall. If you are a photographer, sunrise at the Ancient City Wall is a great chance to grasp the charm of the ancient town.
The core history of Pingyao Ancient Town is the history of Chinese banking system. Rishengchang Former Bank was the first draft bank in China. There you will learn how the banking system was born, and how it developed until the first bank was defunct.
Lunch will be arranged in a local restaurant.
To protect the tangible currency, armed Escort Companies came into being. 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.
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.
Accommodation
Hongshanyi Inn (4-star)/ Yunjincheng Folk Hotel (5-star)
After breakfast in your hotel, your guide will be waiting for you in the lobby on time. You will explore the rich culture outside of the ancient city wall.
Driving for 10 minutes, you will visit the Shuanglin Temple first. The Shuanglin Temple is considered to be the "unrestored glory" of Pingyao, and it has over 2,000 colored mud sculptures preserved under its humble-looking roofs. Every sculpture has its own face and expression, and each of them is a rare treasure.
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.
Lunch will be arranged in a local restaurant.
The Wang Family Compound is about 1½ hours from the ancient town. It is the former residence of the Wang family - a reputable official's family that lived there for over 300 years. Its total area is about 25 ha. (62 ac.), with 123 courtyards and 1,118 rooms. The structure of the compound embodied the different status of men and women, masters and servants.
After your trip, your guide and driver will drive you to the train station and say goodbye.
Wang's Family Compound and Shuanglin TempleTrip Notes
1. Pingyao Vicinity Map
2. Hanging Temple Tips:
Comfortable shoes and a light backpack are suggested, as for all excursions.
The stairs to the Hanging Temple are narrow, only allowing one person to pass, and the rail is short, so be careful. It is 60 to 90 meters above the ground, so people who fear heights should consider this before going up.
Continuing heavy rain might cause rock falls, so for safety the temple will be closed in bad weather.
The viewing platform that under the mountain and opposite the river is a great place to have a full view of the Hanging Temple. People can take pictures from the square if they don't plan to go up, or when the temple was closed due to bad weather.
Note: Due to the continuing rain and large area rock falls, tourists are not allowed to climb the mountain and go into the Hanging Temple since 13th Oct. 2015. People can still have a full view of the Hanging Temple at the viewing platform that under the mountain and opposite the river. We will continue to watch the situation and update the information.
3. Photography
If you are a photographer, taking a shot of the sunrise at the ancient city wall is a great opportunity to grasp the charm of the ancient town. The sun rises at around 6am. As the morning fog fades away, people start to come out and prepare for the new day. If you want to wait for the right moment, it is suggested that you take a photo first, and then go back to your hotel and have breakfast.
Another good time to take photos on the ancient city wall is at 4pm, because the sunlight slants on the tall wall and you can capture a sense of the historical vicissitudes. Many great photos have come from this moment.
Aerial photography with a drone is currently allowed in Datong and Pingyao, and it is a good way to have a bird's-eye view of the ancient town. Our package tour provides the most flexibility for you to stop and fly a drone, and your private tour guide will help you to avoid the curious crowds. Be aware of electric wires and inconspicuous trees in the ancient town when flying a drone.
4. 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.
5. 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.
Tour Price
Price includes: