5 Days Classic Xi’an and Pingyao Tour

Day-by-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Xian Arrival

   Upon your arrival at Xian airport / train station, the local driver will pick you up from the exit gate by holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to the downtown hotel for check-in. Free and easy on your arrangement for the rest of the day.

   Meal: N/A

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian

2. Day 2: Xian Highlight Day Tour
   Visit the Must-see Attractions in Xian

   Your Xian exploration begins with the world’s heritage of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. Known as “the Eighth Wonder of the World”, it is the No.1 attractive site in Xi’an. The museum includes Pit 1 (the largest pit), Pit 2, Pit 3, and the exhibition hall of the chariots and horses. You will stay in the museum for 2-2.5 hours. Listening to the explanation from the expert tour guide, you will learn the hidden story of those life-sized sculptures.

   

   Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then head back to the Xian downtown area for another historical highlight - the Ancient City Wall. It is the most completely preserved and the largest city wall in China, which was built for military defense in ancient times. Since it is cycling the city, visitors can ride a bike around the city wall (optional).

   Later, move on to the Bell and Drum Tower Square, the symbol of this old capital. Walking forward, you will find many special local products and authentic local snacks at the Muslim Quarter, a paradise for food lovers. You can enjoy preserved meat, casserole, and various noodles.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Xian

   

3. Day 3: Xian to Pingyao Tour by High-speed Train
   Appreciate Relics and Landmark of Xi'an

   As one of the most famous historical cities, Xian has lots of interesting places to go! Today you will explore the must-see sights in the Xian downtown area.

   Firstly, your tour guide will take you to the Xi'an Museum (closed every Tuesday). The museum has collected numerous cultural relics from various eras in the Xi'an area, some of which were unearthed from important dynasties in Chinese history such as the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties, including many exquisite cultural relics. In this scenic area, you can also see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.

   

   After that, move on to Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Standing in the Da Ci'en Temple complex, it attracts numerous visitors for its fame in the Buddhist religion, its simple but appealing style of construction, and its new square in front of the temple.

   After lunch, you will head to the train station to catch the 3.5-hour high-speed train to Pingyao. When you arrive at Pingyao Gucheng Train Station, there will be a local driver waiting for you at the exit gate holding a welcome board with your name and transfer to a local hotel.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Pingyao

   

4. Day 4: Pingyao Tour
   Explore the Historical Sites of Pingyao Ancient City

   Today, your China tour in Pingyao takes you to 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.

   Besides, joining a Paper Cutting Class in the ancient city would be a big highlight today. Following the local expert and waving the scissors in your hands, you will amazingly get a vivid “bird” or “fish”, through which the interesting Chinese culture could be caught a glimpse.

   Meal: Breakfast + Lunch

   Accommodation: Overnight in Pingyao

5. Day 5: Pingyao Departure
   Glimpse the Lives of Wealthy People of the Qing Dynasty

   In the morning, you will visit the Qiao Family Courtyard which is a name card of travel to Shanxi Province. It’s a typical folk art museum with strong characteristics of Shanxi merchants’ culture, reflecting the social and economic life in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

   Different from the tiny and elegant ancient town embraced by streams in southern China, the Qiao Family impresses visitors strikingly with its square layout, tall and thick walls, grey bricks, and red lanterns as well as classic overhanging eaves.

   

   Then, you will be transferred to visit Shuanglin Temple. This temple could be said as a “surprise” among the attractions in Pingyao because it is a lesser-known site but has been collecting incredible artworks in its lengthy past. It’s a Buddhist temple where you will meet many delicate wall paintings, colored statues, and beautiful buildings of the Tang, Song, and Ming Dynasties.

   After the Pingyao tour, you will be dropped off at the train station for departure. This is the end of your 5-day Xian and Pingyao tour.

   Accommodation: N/A