5 Days of Datong, Mt. Wutai and Pingyao

Day 1 Arrival in Datong
Yungang Grottoes
Yungang Grottoes
Upon arrival in Datong, you will find our guide waiting for you at the exit of the railway station. Then this 5-day private Datong tour will start with the Yungang Grottoes. A comfortable car ride will take you there directly. Different-sized Buddha statues are enshrined in Yungang Grottoes and it is surprising to find that some of them possess the facial features of ancient Indians. After that, we will head for the Huayan Temple, founded in 1062, with halls, sculptures and murals showcasing the artistic style of the Liao Dynasty (907 – 1125).

After lunch, you will continue your Datong tour to the Shanhua Temple where you can admire not only buildings of the Liao Dynasty, but also statues of the Jin Dynasty (1115 – 1234) and murals of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911). Then conclude today’s itinerary with the gorgeous Nine-Dragon Wall built more than 600 years ago. After that, you will be transferred to a downtown hotel for one night.

Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Yungang Meigao Hotel

Day 2 Datong – Yingxian County – Mt. Wutai
After breakfast, our guide will pick you up in the hotel lobby and help you check out. Then, you will take a car ride to the Hanging Monastery which seems to have been carved out on the cliff rock and has hung over the precipice for more than 1,500 years. Afterwards, you will be escorted to admire the Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian County that was entirely built of wood in 1056 without any iron nail.

You will then continue your journey to Mt. Wutai by a 2.5 hour drive. The guide will take you to check in a local hotel upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hua Hui Hotel

Day 3 Mt. Wutai
Mt. Wutai
Mt. Wutai
Today, you will enjoy a whole day’s hike on Mt. Wutai, which is said to be the place where Bodhisattva Manjushri preached Buddhist doctrines. Our guide will take you to famous sites, including Bodhisattva Summit – the leading hall of the Tibetan Buddhism, Xiantong Temple – the largest and oldest temple in the area, Ten Thousand Buddha Pavilion – one of the most prosperous temple of Mt. Wutai, Tayuan Temple – housing the symbolic white stupa, Shuxiang Temple – enshrining the tallest statue of Masnjushri on the mountain, and Luohou Temple – famous for the special animation of four Buddhas appearing when a wooden lotus-shaped flower blooms.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hua Hui Hotel

Day 4 Mt. Wutai – Pingyao
Pingyao Ancient City is a must-see destination for most tourists visiting Shanxi Province. After breakfast, you will continue the Datong Pingyao tour and start your 4.5 – 5 hours car ride to this historic city. Pingyao used to be the financial center of China during the Qing Dynasty, brimming with exchange shops and security guard companies. Our guide will accompany you to wander around the town and visit famous sites like Ancient Ming-Qing Street, Ancient Government Office, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, and City Wall and give you a a glimpse of the special and profound culture of Shanxi merchants.

At the end of the day, you will check in a hostel inside the Pingyao Ancient City to spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Yide Guesthouse

Day 5 Departure from Pingyao
Pingyao Ancient Town
Pingyao Ancient Town
Check out after breakfast then drive out of Pingyao Ancient City to admire more than 2,000 colored paintings and clay sculptures at the Shuanglin Temple. After that, we will proceed to the Wang’s Compound and round off this 5-day Datong to Pingyao tour package here. It is a large-scale mansion of the wealthy Wang clan, consisting of nearly 230 courtyards and more than 2,000 rooms.

Afterwards, your will be taken to the railway station to catch your departure train.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch