Beijing Pingyao Xian 5 Day Highspeed Train Tour

Day 01    Beijing Pingyao Highspeed Train

Pick up from your hotel in Beijing and take the 4-hour morning high speed train for Pingyao. Arrival at Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station, met by our English speaking tour guide and transfer to your hotel in 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.

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, 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 in Pingyao.

Meals: No
Hotel: Yes

Day 02   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 resaturant 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 03   Pingyao    Xian Highspeed Train
After breakfast, continue to visit Pingyao in the morning. First visit Armed Escort Company Museum in Pingyao. 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. Pingyao Yamun (County Government office ) is one of the best preserved. Along the axis from south to north are the Entrance Door, Yi Gate, Torn, Liubufang, Grand Hall, Gate, Ertang, Inner House, etc. Grand Hall is the place that ancient officer held grand ceremony and cognizance serious cases.

At the end of your Pingyao tour, you are transferred to Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station for the 3-hour afternoon high speed afternoon train going to Xian. Met and transfer to our pre-arranged hotel in Xian.

Meals: Hotel breakfast
Hotel: Yes

Day 04    Xian
Pick up from your hotel in Xian. First visit Shaanxi Provincial History Museum. It is a giant architectural complex in the Tang-dynasty style. It focuses on the highlights of the Shaanxi culture and depicts the development of the Chinese civilization.

Then move on to Big Goose Pagoda for a visit. Big Goose Pagoda is one of the oldest structures in China. It is one of the city’s most distinctive and outstanding landmarks, possibly the most beautiful building left in Xian today.

After Chinese lunch, ascend the Bell Tower. In Chinese history from Ming Dynasty, 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. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower of Xi’an date back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The Bell Tower is located in the center of the Xian city connecting the four roads from east, south, west and north within the city wall. Atop the Bell Tower you will have a panoramic view of the Xian City.

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.

After the day tour, get to the Shaanxi Grand Opera House around 6:00pm and our tour guide will help you find your seat for the Dumpling dinner within the Opera House. Dumpling, or Jiaozi in Chinese, is one of the most representative Chinese food. Enjoy the jiaozi dinner and and watch Tang Dynasty Show. The Tang Dynasty Show showcases the costumes, music, and dancing of China’s golden age: the Tang dynasty (618 – 907). Return to your downtown hotel in Xian.

Meals: Hotel breakfast, Chinese lunch and dumpling dinner
Hotel: Yes

Day 05   Xian Exit
Pick up from your hotel in Xian. First visit the Terra-cotta Warriors. 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.

Driving back to the city center of Xian, 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. It was enlarged in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) from the city wall initially built in Tang Dynasty (618 -907). Now it is 12 meters tall, 12-14 meters wide covering 14 kilometers in length with a deep moat surrounding it. You can walk, even cycle on the wall. Its south gate is the most largest with a suspension bridge.

End of service. Transferred to your hotel, or Xian airport, or Xian Railway Station.

Meals: Hotel breakfast, Chinese lunch
Hotel: No