Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Taiyuan Arrival

   Welcome to Taiyuan! Upon your arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the rest of the day to rest and recover from your journey.

   Taiyuan is the capital city of Shanxi Province and has a rich history dating back more than 2,500 years. Take some time to relax and get settled in your hotel, or explore the city on your own if you're feeling up to it.

   Meal: Dinner

   Accommodation: InterContinental Taiyuan

2. Day 2: Taiyuan Culture Tour
   Shanxi Jin Memorial Hall, Wang Family Courtyard

   In the morning, you'll visit the Shanxi Jin Memorial Hall, which is a museum that showcases the history and culture of Shanxi Province. Next, visit the Wang Family Courtyard, a well-preserved traditional Chinese residential complex that was once home to the wealthy Wang family.

   

   Afterwards, you'll drive to Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved ancient city walls and traditional architecture.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Pingyao Yunjincheng Hotel

3. Day 3: Pingyao Tour
   Pingyao Ancient City, Pasta Making, See Pingyao Again

   Today is dedicated to exploring Pingyao Ancient City, a well-preserved ancient city that dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. You can visit the Pingyao County Government, which was once the political center of the ancient city, and the Rishengchang Former Bank, which was the first bank in China's history.

   

   You'll also have the opportunity to experience making pasta, a traditional Pingyao snack, and enjoy the performance of 'See Pingyao Again', a traditional show that highlights Pingyao's history and culture.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Pingyao Yunjincheng Hotel

4. Day 4: Pingyao - Qixian - Mount Wutai
   Cycling Tour, Qiao Family Courtyard

   You'll start the day with a cycling tour of Pingyao Ancient City, which will allow you to explore the city's narrow streets and alleys up close. Afterwards, you'll drive to Qixian to visit the Qiao Family Courtyard, a well-preserved courtyard-style residence that dates back to the Qing Dynasty. The Qiao Family Courtyard is known for its intricate wood carvings and unique architectural style.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Marriott Hotel Mount Wutai

   

5. Day 5: Mount Wutai

   In the morning, you'll visit Mount Wutai, one of the most important Buddhist sites in China. The mountain is home to more than 50 temples and monasteries, as well as a number of scenic spots.

   

   You'll explore Pusa Ding Temple, which is known for its impressive collection of Buddhist statues, as well as Tayuan Temple, which is famous for its beautiful gardens. Finally, visit Xiantong Temple, which is the oldest and most well-preserved temple on the mountain.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Marriott Hotel Mount Wutai

6. Day 6: Mount Wutai - Hunyuan - Datong
   Hanging Temple

   Today, you'll drive three hours to Hunyuan to visit the Hanging Temple, which is an architectural wonder that was built into a cliff face more than 1,500 years ago. The monastery is unique in that it is home to elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

   

   Afterwards, drive two hours to Datong, a city known for its rich history and culture. You can explore the city on your own, or relax and prepare for the next day's activities.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Yungang Meigao Hotel

7. Day 7: Datong - Qingdao
   Yungang Grottoes

   After breakfast, take a guide tour of Yungang Grottoes, which are a series of ancient Buddhist cave temples that date back to the 5th century. The grottoes are known for their intricate carvings and sculptures, which showcase the development of Buddhist art in China.

   

   Afterwards, you'll fly to Qingdao and have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own. Qingdao is a coastal city that is known for its beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and historic architecture.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: The ST. Regis Qingdao

8. Day 8: Qingdao City Tour
   Olympic Sailing Center, Qingdao Beer Museum

   Today, you'll visit the Olympic Sailing Center, which was built for the 2008 Olympic Games, and the Qingdao Beer Museum, which is dedicated to the history of beer in China.

   

   You can also explore the city on your own and take in the scenic views of the coastline.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: The ST. Regis Qingdao

9. Day 9: Qingdao - Qufu
   Small Fish Hill

   In the morning, you'll take a bird's-eye view of Qingdao City from the mountaintop of Small Fish Hill before taking a high-speed train for two hours to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius.

   

   Qufu is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to a number of historic sites that are associated with the life and teachings of Confucius.

   Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

   Accommodation: Qufu JW Marriott

10. Day 10: Qufu Exploration
    Bells in the Sunrise, Confucius Temple, Kong Family Mansion, Cemetery of Confucius

    Today, you can witness the "Bells in the Sunrise" at 8 am (on your own), which is a traditional ceremony that is held at the Confucius Temple.

    Afterwards, you'll visit the Confucius Temple, which is the largest and oldest Confucian temple in the world, as well as the Kong Family Mansion, once the ancestral home of Confucius' descendants and Cemetery of Confucius, the final resting place of Confucius and his descendants, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Accommodation: Qufu JW Marriott

    

11. Day 11: Qufu - Taian - Jinan
    Mount Taishan, Heavenly Street, Bixia Temple, Cliff Carvings, Jade Emperor Peak

    Drive 2 hours to Taian to take the cable car up Mount Taishan, which is one of the Five Great Mountains of China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll visit Heavenly Street, a scenic pathway that leads to the summit of the mountain. Along the way, you'll pass by several temples and historic landmarks, including Bixia Temple, which is dedicated to the goddess of dawn and childbirth, and the Cliff Carvings of the Tang Dynasty, which are a series of stone carvings that date back to the 7th century.

    

    At the summit, you'll visit Jade Emperor Peak and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from Riguan Peak. Afterwards, you'll drive for two hours to Jinan for the night.

    Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Accommodation: InterContinental Jinan City Center

12. Day 12: Jinan City Tour
    Baotu Spring, Daming Lake

    Jinan is the capital city of Shandong Province and is known for its many natural springs and historic sites. Today, you'll visit Baotu Spring, which is one of the most famous springs in China, and Daming Lake, a scenic lake in the heart of the city.

    

    You can also explore the old city of Jinan on your own, which is known for its historic buildings and traditional markets.

    Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Accommodation: InterContinental Jinan City Center

13. Day 13: Jinan Departure

    Today is the final day of your trip. You'll be escorted to Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport for your departure flight. We hope you enjoyed your trip and have many fond memories of your time in Shanxi and Shandong Provinces.

    Meal: Breakfast

    Accommodation: N/A