Shanxi Culture Discovery

Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights

Itinerary Design Concept:

This tour highlights the rich culture and profound history of Shanxi Province in China. In five days, you will admire the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, religious Mount Wutai and its surrounding temples, Ancient City of Pingyao and majestic Qiao Family Compound.

Itinerary

Day 1 Datong

Airport-hotel transfer in Datong

Day 2 Datong

Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Temple , Nine Dragon Screen

The Yungang Grottoes is the oldest one of the Three Major Buddhist Grottoes of China. Absorbing Indian Gandhara Buddhist art, Yungang Grottoes melds traditional Chinese art and social features of that time, which make it a masterpiece of early Chinese cave art and Buddhist culture.

The Huayan Temple is the largest and most perfectly preserved temple of the Liao (916-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties in China. it is composed by two sections. The upper temple houses five large Buddhas, and the lower temple contains a collection of Buddhist writings.

The Nine Dragon Screen in Datong is one of the three famous nine dragon screens in existence. The other two are in Beijing’s Forbidden City and the Beihai Park.

Day 3 Datong - Mount Wutai (by automobile)

private transfer from Datong to Mt. Wutai

Hanging Temple

Built more than 1,500 years ago, the Hanging Temple is characterized by its special location on the sheer cliff and its combination of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

Built in 1056, during the Liao Dynasty, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda is known as the highest and oldest Buddhist wooden structure in the world without one nail or rivets, which has already survived more than 940 years.

Private transfer from Datong to Mt. Wutai

Day 4 Mount Wutai - Pingyao (by automobile)

Private transfer from Mt. Wutai to Pingyao

Mount Wutai

Enjoy an exploration to Mount Wutai (UNESCO), one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China. It is home to 47 China's most important monasteries, among which the Xiantong Temple and the Tayuan Temple are the most famous ones.

Day 5 Pingyao - Taiyuan (by automobile)

Pivate transfer from Pingyao to Taiyuan, airport or train station transfer in Taiyuan

Ancient City of Pingyao, Qiao Family Compound

The Ancient City of Pingyao (UNESCO), a well-preserved ancient Chinese city of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, is an must-see attraction for you. You will admire the Ancient City Wall built with bricks and stones. Approach to Rishengchang Bank - the first bank of China, and get impressed by the Old Government Buildings. The courtyard houses, narrow streets and small shops in the city provide a complete picture of China’s cultural and social lifestyle during that period of time.

The Qiao Family Compound was the former residence of a rich businessman - Qiao Zhiyong in the Qing Dynasty. Consisting of 6 large yards and 20 small yards in total, the magnificent compound features its traditional Chinese furnishings and lifelike wood carvings.

Service ends.