Pingyao

A local friendly tour guide will meet you at your Pingyao hotel lobby at 9:00 am and lead you to start the tour of the well-preserved ancient city with a grand City Wall, traditional residences, former security guard companies, time-honored shops, and Ancient government offices. While walking along the ancient Ming-Qing Street, learn about the Old Town’s history, culture, and architecture from your guide. Founded during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 – 771 BC) and rebuilt in 1370, the Pingyao Ancient City is one of China's four best preserved old cities and was inscribed as a world cultural heritage in 1997. Visit the Ancient Government Office to the west of the Ancient Ming-Qing Street and hear about old trials at the law court. Explore the nearly 200-year-old Rishengchang Exchange Museum, the first 'bank' in China's history. With more than 30 branches throughout the country. It once controlled the lifeblood of the nation's economy in the Qing Dynasty. Later you will have a break and enjoy a delicious lunch of traditional local food. Then proceed to visit the Confucius Tempel to learn the development and procedure of the old examination, wander in the City God Temple to see exquisite pavilions and towers, and explore one of the best-preserved ancient walls in Chia - the turtle-like Ancient City Wall. To conclude the trip, your local guide will escort you back to the hotel and bid farewell.

Pick-up from your hotel lobby is at 9:00 by local tour guide, aboard a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to start the highlight day trip from Pingyao. Your first stop will be Shuanglin Temple reputed to be the ancient painted sculptures museum. Listed in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1997, Shuanglin Temple houses more than 2,000 colorful sculptures reflecting the exquisite skills of the artisans of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Head inside the Temple with a history of about 1,400 years, follow your guide to stroll around the large and small halls, and view the vivid and lifelike sculptures. Move on to a local restaurant to enjoy delicious lunch and have a short break. Then drive approximately 1 hours to visit the Wang's Compound -a luxurious residence built during 1762-1811 of the Wang Family. Wang's Compound is not only an example of residential architecture, but also a museum of architectural art. Walk into the courtyard, one can see sculptures of stone, wood and brick everywhere. The architectural groups open for viewing are Gaojia Ya, Hongmen Bao, Chongning Bao, etc. The Painting and Calligraphy Hall displays hundreds of excellent works while Treasure Hall contains collections of furnishings, old coins, porcelains, rare stones and jade carvings. Afterwards, enjoy comfortable transfer back to your hotel to conclude the memorable day trip.