6 Days Datong Pingyao Tour with Wutai Mountain

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Datong, Highlights Tour
   Marvel at the Ancient Grottoes, Dragon Wall, Historic Temple

   Welcome to Datong for 6-day Shanxi tour! Upon your arrival at the airport or train station, your guide and driver will meet you and then drive you for 25km to the remarkable Yungang Grottoes. It is a must-visit site during your Datong travel. Globally recognized as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yungang Grottoes is well-known for its over 51,000 Buddha statues and engravings which can date back to 5th and 6th century AD. If you are interested in Chinese Buddhist art and culture, this is a fantastic place to explore.

   

   Next, transfer you to the Nine Dragon Screen Wall, the oldest and largest of Nine Dragon Screen in China. Constructed in 1392 during the Ming Dynasty, It depicts nine distinct dragons made of colored glaze, symbolizing imperial power. The vivid colors and details make it an artistic masterpiece along with great historical significance.

   Then, be guided to visit Hauyan Temple. It is the largest and best-preserved temple of the Liao and Jin Dynasty. You will explore the Main Hall and admire the largest colored glazed chiwens in Chinese architecture. The evening is yours to explore Datong at your leisure. We recommend you to take a leisurely walk on the City Wall of Datong.

   Note: please arrive in Datong before 8:30 in the morning. You are suggested to arrive the night before.

   Meal: Lunch

   Accommodation: in Datong

2. Day 2: Datong to Mount Wutai Tour
   Visit the Scenes from the Globally Popular Game

   After breakfast, it's time to explore the scenes from the globally popular 2024 game 'Black Myth: Wukong'. The first stop is the amazing Hanging Temple, also named Xuankong Temple, located on a cliff above the ground 75 meters (246 feet). Built in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD), it is supported by wooden beams inserted in the cliff, showing an impression that it is suspended in the air.

   

   Then, transfer you to visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, which is the oldest existing all-wood pagoda in China. If you are an ancient architecture lover, the pagoda is a can-not-be-missed site. Your guide will lead you to appreciate its complex design and structure, explore the inside of the pagoda, and glimpse the history and culture of the pagoda.

   After that, we drive for 3 hours to Mount Wutai, one of China's Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism. Upon arrival, you'll check in at your hotel in Wutaishan.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Wutai Mountain

3. Day 3: Mount Wutai Exploration Tour
   Explore the Rich Buddhist Heritage of Mount Wutai

   Today is a full day to explore the Buddhist culture and heritage of Mount Wutai. Wutai literally meaning five terraces, refers to its five peaks which are tall but flat. It is ranked top of the four most famous Buddhist mountains in China. Your guide will take you to visit the Tayuan Temple, Shuxiang Temple, Xiantong Temple, and Pusa Ding Temple.

   Tayuan Temple is one of the five famous Zen places in Mount Wutai. The White Pagoda, towering into the clouds, is the main symbol of the temple. It is 75.3 meters high and has a circumference of 83.3 meters. Local people regard it as the symbol of Mount Wutai.

   

   Shuxiang Temple was founded in the Yuan Dynasty and was named after the deity Manjusri Bodhisattva enshrined in the temple. Xiantong Temple is a large temple with a long history on Mount Wutai, and it is one of the earliest temples in China together with the White Horse Temple in Luoyang. The temple sits in the north and faces south, covering an area of about 80,000 square meters. There are over 400 buildings, and most of which are from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Copper Hall here is 8.3 meters high and made of 50,000 KG of copper, which looks quite spectacular.

   After the temple visits, you'll take a tourist bus to the South Terrace of Mount Wutai. You can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Last, your guide takes you back to Taihuai Town.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Taihuai Town

4. Day 4: Mount Wutai to Taiyuan Tour
   Learn More about the Ancient Chinese Buddhist Culture

   After breakfast, your China tour in Shanxi begins at Dailuo Ding Temple, first known as Qingfeng, which has changed its name four times. It is famous for pine and cypress trees, which have witnessed the history of the temple. You will learn more about the ancient Chinese Buddhist culture here.

   Next, drive 50 kilometers to reach Foguang Temple, located on a small hill. There are more than 120 halls, buildings and pavilions in the temple, from the Tang and Jin Dynasties, Ming and Qing Dynasties. You can enjoy the Tang Dynasty sculptures, murals, and inscriptions.

   

   After that, take a 3-hour car ride to Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province. Check in at your hotel an enjoy free time relaxing or exploring the city.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Taiyuan

5. Day 5: Taiyuan to Pingyao Tour
   Explore the Numerous Historical Sites of Pingyao Ancient City

   Today, your Shanxi culture tour takes you to Pingyao to visit the world heritage site Pingyao Ancient City. It is the most well preserved ancient county town in China today, consisting of city walls, shops, streets, temples, residential buildings, and more.

   Firstly, you will be guided to climb the Ancient City Wall and take a panoramic view of the entire ancient town. Next, go to visit Rishengchang Former Bank located on West Street in the ancient city, which is known as the "ancestor of modern Chinese banks". Understand how it operated during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

   

   After having lunch, we take a walk on Ming and Qing Street, which consists of 4 main streets, 8 small streets, and 72 winding alleys. It is the South Street of Pingyao Ancient City, vividly reflecting the cultural brilliance of the ancient city.

   After that, visit the Temple of City God, which is the earliest City God Temple in China, with a history of nearly 1200 years. You can see the stage, main hall, stele tower, as well as sculptures of Guan Yu (deified as God of War) and Guan Ping (Guan Yu's adopted son).

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: in Pingyao

6. Day 6: Departure from Pingyao
   Glimpse the Lives of Wealthy People of the Qing Dynasty

   After breakfast, your tour guide will transfer you to visit the Zhangbi Ancient Castle. Dating back over 1,600 years, it is a well preserved ancient military fortified village. You will see various carvings here, involving characters, stories, animals, flowers, etc., which can be seen everywhere in the shadow wall and gable wall head.

   Then, drive to Wang's Family Compound, a grand residential complex and features amazing Chinese traditional architecture, arts, and culture. With an area of over 150,000 square meters, the compound consists of 5 courtyards, more than 300 rooms, and many gardens and pavilions. It reflects the exquisite technique and unique lifestyle of rich merchants in the Qing Dynasty.

   

   After your tour in Pingyao, your driver escorts you to the airport according to your departure time! Thank you for choosing China Xian Tour and hope to see you again in your next China tour!

   Meal: Breakfast

   Accommodation: N/A