Xian Pingyao Beijing 5 Day Tour

Day 01  Arrival at Xian
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 Quarter (excluding the visit to the Great Mosque). Xian Muslim Quarter 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.

Meals: Chinese lunch
Hotel: Yes

Day 02Xian
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.

Meals: Breakfast and Chinese lunch
Hotel: Yes

Day 03  Xian   Pingyao
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 Courtyard 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 with the 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.

Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Yes

Day 04   Pingyao   Zhangbi     Wang’s Family Courtyard    Pingyao
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 dwlling 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 attacked. After Zhangbi Underground Castle, back to Pingyao.

Meals: Hotel breakfast
Hotel: Yes

Day 05   Pingyao    Beijing
After breakfast, continue to visit Pingyao in the morning. First visit Armed Escort Company Museum. It offers an eye-opening armed escort in protecting commerce. Cash moving from one area needed the armed escort firm to thwart thieving hands.

Finally visit County Government Office, an ancient city hall and law court. At the end of your Pingyao tour, you are transferred to Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station for the 3 hour high speed afternoon train going to Beijing Met and transfer to your hotel in Beijing.

Meals: Hotel breakfast
Hotel: No