4-Day Datong and Pingyao Private Tour of Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, Pingyao Ancient City, Wang Family Compound and Shuanglin Temple

Attractions: Yungang Grottoes, Nine Dragon Screen Wall, Huayan Temple

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Datong

Welcome to Datong! You will be greeted by local tour guide at Datong Yungang Airport or Datong South Railway Station or your hotel directly.

Today, you will drive about 50 minutes (23 kilometers) to Yungang Grottoes,which are renowned for their grand scale and artistic excellence, and are one of the treasures of ancient Chinese cave art. It boasts dozens of caves with a large number of Buddha statues, murals and reliefs carved inside, demonstrating the development and prosperity of Chinese Buddhist art. The Yungang Grottoes are listed as a World Heritage Site and are regarded as one of the masterpieces of northern China's grottoes.

In the afternoon, drive back to Datong city to visit Nine Dragon Screen Wall, made of colorful glazed tiles and depicting nine dragons. It was served as a temple's spirit wall placed in the entrance to inhibit the evil spirit's coming. Now it is the biggest and oldest glazed dragon wall in China. Next, you will visit Huayan Temple - is also one of the famous Buddhist Zen temples, attracting many believers and tourists to worship and practice. Inside the temple, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the ancient architecture and feel the solemn atmosphere of Buddhist culture.

Stay overnight in Datong.

Attractions: Hanging Temple, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Pingyao

After breakfast, you will move to Hanging Temple, after 1.5 hours' driving (80 km). This temple is famous for its special architecture, which is situated on a steep canyon wall and appears to be hanging in the air, giving it a feeling like a flying pavilion in the sky. The Hanging Temple was built in 491 A.D. and has a history of more than 1,500 years. The temple preserves a wealth of cultural relics and ancient Buddhist artifacts, including Buddha statues, murals, and sutra scrolls. Visitors can climb up the canyon to view the temple's breathtaking scenery and experience the unique religious atmosphere.

After the exciting experience in Hanging Temple, drive 1 hour to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda. It is one of the oldest surviving and fully functional wooden pagodas in China, built in 952 AD, almost a thousand years ago. The pagoda is 32.84 meters high, has nine floors, and consists of mortise and tenon construction without the use of a single nail. The pagoda enshrines Buddha statues and scriptures and is decorated with beautiful wood carvings and colorful paintings. 

After the tour, drive to the train station to catch your high speed train to Pingyao (about 3hrs). You will be picked up by local tour guide and escorted to check in to your hotel. The rest of today is free for you to explore the ancient city of Pingyao.

Attractions: Pingyao Ancient City, Ancient City Wall of Pingyao, Rishengchang Former Bank, Ming and Qing Street,Temple of City God, Shuanglin Temple

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Overnight in Pingyao

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up to start Pingyao Ancient City exploration.Your tour starts from the Ancient City Wall of Pingyao, The Ancient City Wall of Pingyao is one of the earliest surviving city walls in China and an important historical and cultural site and tourist attraction. Then you will move on to the Rishengchang Former Bank. It was the meeting place of the ancient Chamber of Commerce for business exchanges and deliberation of important matters. The Rishengchang is a magnificent and imposing building, showcasing the architectural style and city culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Later, visit the Temple of City God to appreciate the wonderful wood carvings, paintings and sculptures in the old temple.

After Pingyao Ancient City exploration, drive about 15 minutes to visit Shuanglin Temple. It gets its name from the two sky-high ancient pines in the temple, which look like a pair of unique forest trees. The Shuanglin Temple preserves numerous ancient architectural and artistic treasures, including the mountain gate, the Daxiongbao Hall, the Tibetan scripture building and the Lohan Hall.

Return to your hotel after Shuanglin Temple visit.Optional activity:Enjoy the excellent drama show of Another Glance at Pingyao (19:00~20:30) which presents local life, prosperity and recession of Pingyao during Qing dynasty vividly.

Attractions: Zhangbi Ancient Castle, Wang's Family Compound

Meal: Not Included

Hotel: Not Included

After breakfast, drive about 1 hour to Zhangbi Ancient Castle, which is a series of tunnels dug to hide out in times of war in over 1380 years ago. You will be amazed by the fabulous feat of architecture and engineering in ancient time.

Later, move to Wang's Family Compound which covers an area of 22,000 square meters and is divided into three courtyards, the front, middle and back, with a total of more than 400 houses, including the main hall, compartments and courtyards. The architectural style of the compound is influenced by the cultures of many ethnic groups, including Han, Hui and Tibetan, and blends the Han-Tibetan style and northwest architectural features. The compound is beautifully decorated with paintings, carvings and colorful drawings, demonstrating the architectural art and lifestyle of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

After visiting, your local guide will escort you to Airport / Railway Station to catch your flight / train to next destination.