10 days Beijing - Datong - Pingyao and Xi'an cultural tour

Upon arriving in Beijing, you will be greeted by your local guide and driver who will then transport you to the hotel. Here you can have a good rest and be prepared for the next days' journey. Overnight at Beijing.

Your first day will begin with a visit to the largest square in the world - Tiananmen square. It is also an assembling place for Chinese people to celebrate important festivals or hold other big events. 

Located in the north of Tiananmen Square, is the Forbidden City, the best persevered imperial palace in China. Walk through this mysterious place and taste the more than 500 years of historical civilization that once was China. Imagine you've traveled back more than 1,000 years ago, wandering here with princess or princes. 

After lunch, drive to visit the Summer Palace, an original royal garden and a temporary dwelling palace for emperors of Qing Dynasty, which is mainly dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. It is declared "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design" by UNESCO. 

In the evening you might enjoy a roasted duck dinner at one of the famous restaurants like Quanjude. Overnight at Beijing.

Today you will start early and drive about 3 hours to Jinshanling Great Mid Gate, from there you will take the local shuttle bus and then walk to Zhuduokou (Brick Crenel), from there you will have about 3-4 hours hiking to Houchuankou, the whole distance is 8km and you will hiking along the highlights of Jinshanling Great Wall with less tourists. Return to Beijing after the Great Wall hiking and you will have the option to be dropped off at your hotel or the Donghuamen night market to conclude the day.

After breakfast, you will be guided to visit the Temple of Heaven, a holy imperial temple where emperors once prayed for a good harvest and offered sacrifices to the God of Heaven during every winter solstice. You will have a glimpse of this masterpiece of architecture and landscape design.

Afterward, you will have 1-2 hours to experience the traditional Hutong culture by visiting Shichahai in west Beijing. You will travel by rickshaw through century-old Hutongs in Shichahai before their demolition. You can also walk along the old Yandai Xiejie, which has an 800-year history surrounding Beijing's Drum Tower. You will have plenty of time to explore on your own and nearby Nanluoguoxiang, where you can taste some local snacks or buy souvenirs from the many antique shows for your family and friends.

In the afternoon, you will take the high-speed train to Datong (about 2 hours train ride). Upon your arrival in Datong, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel.

Morning drive about 1.5 hours to visit the Hanging Monastery, an ancient temple perched on cliffs 164 feet (50 meters) above ground, blending Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian elements. This remarkable structure features temple gates, a bell and drum tower, and spacious halls. Afternoon head to visit Yingxian Wooden Pagoda (Pagoda of Fogong Temple), the world's oldest and tallest wooden structure, built in 1056 without nails, demonstrating ancient Chinese engineering. Return to Datong for overnight.

Today's tour begins with a visit to the Yungang Grottoes, one of the three major grottoes in China, the other two being the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang and the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. Yungang Grottoes is made up of 252 grottoes containing over 51,000 Buddha statues and statuettes.

After that, visit the Huayan Monastery. The original monastery dates back to AD 1140 and the reign of Emperor Tian Ju'an of the Jin dynasty. The entire complex is being developed into a regional museum.

In the late afternoon, you will visit the Nine Dragon Screen, a wall carving built over 600 years ago, which is the oldest and largest glazed screen in China today. 
Stay overnight at Datong.

Take morning bullet train to Pingyao (D5363, 08:07-11:31am). Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to hotel. Afternoon you will have a guided tour to explore Pingyao's ancient city. Your tour starts with the Ancient City Wall of Pingyao, offering a panoramic view of the town's layout. Next, Visit the Rishengchang Former Bank to get a glimpse of the historical banking system. Known as the 'Countryside Grandfather' of various Chinese banks, it was established in 1823 during the Qing Dynasty. Then, wander along the traditional Ming and Qing Dynasties Street, this narrow, bustling street is filled with numerous shops showcasing Ming-Qing style architecture. As you stroll down this street, you'll feel as though you've stepped back in time by 200 years. Continue the day tour by appreciating the intricate wood carvings, paintings, and sculptures at the Temple of City God. You will also be arranged to visit the Pingyao Ancient Government Office. If time permits, you can also visit some other attractions on your own. Overnight at Pingyao.

Today, you will have another half day tour in Pingyao to visit Wang Family Compound & Shuanglin Temple.
Begin your day with a drive to the Wang Family Compound, an architectural marvel located in Jingsheng town. More resembling a grand castle than a cozy home, it boasts 123 courtyards, around 1113 houses, and covers an area of 45,000 square meters. The compound is a reflection of the prosperous era of the Wang family and is noted for its intricate sculptures and woodwork. The journey from your hotel to this impressive location will take approximately an hour

Next, you'll continue to the Shuanglin Temple, located 7 km (4 mi) south of Pingyao. Known for its rare Song and Yuan painted statues, the temple was reconstructed in 571 A.D., making its history span about 1,400 years. The temple consists of halls of various sizes, from small to large, and rooms exclusively designed as sutra chanting halls. The notable Guan Yu's Hall is named after a famous general of the Shu people during the Three Kingdoms period.

Take afternoon bullet train to Xi'an (takes about 3 hours). Xi'an train station pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight at Xi'an.

Today your tour will begin with a short drive into the suburb to visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Here you can embrace this more than 2,000 years lost history with what is now called the eighth wonder of the world. See the more than 10,000 clay warriors and their chariots, none of which are the same!

Afterward, you will be driven back in a private car to Xi'an where in the afternoon, you will visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the landmarks of Xi'an. It's said the pagoda was built to house the Buddhist sutras brought back from India by a famous monk named Xuanzang. Here, you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city and samples of ancient architecture.

A short drive will then take you to the final stop of the day which is Xi'an Muslim Quarters, a vibrant and bustling area that offers a unique cultural and culinary experience. Overnight at Xi'an.

In the morning, visit Shaanxi History Museum, which is often touted as one of the best of China, with a collection of 370,000 elaborate relics. You will feel that you have come to the ancient Xi'an because the museum is built in the architectural style of the Tang dynasty.

After you and your guide have left the museum, enjoy a delicious local lunch and then continue on to visit the famous Xi'an City wall, one of the oldest and best-preserved walls in China. Your last stop on the tour is Shuyuan Men, a perfect place to grab some last minute souvenirs. It presents you what the building and people's life in Tang dynasty. Your guide will ensure you reach the airport or train station for your departure from Xi'an.