Step Back into China’s Best-Preserved Ming and Qing Dynasty Town

Itinerary quick look

Detailed 2-Day Itinerary

Make this route your own. We will refine every day around your dates, energy level, and interests.

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Pingyao — Ancient City Wall, Rishengchang Exchange House & Historic Streets

   Arrive in Pingyao, a city where traditional Chinese architecture and historical atmosphere have been remarkably preserved.

   Your private guide and driver will meet you at the railway station and transfer you to your hotel inside or near the ancient city area.

   Begin your exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage town.

   Pingyao Ancient City Wall

   Start with the impressive Pingyao Ancient City Wall, one of the most complete surviving city walls in China.

   Built originally as a defensive structure, the wall surrounds the old city and provides a perfect viewpoint to understand Pingyao’s traditional urban layout.

   Walking along the wall allows you to see rows of gray-tiled rooftops, historic courtyards, and the symmetrical design of this ancient town.

   Rishengchang Exchange House

   Continue to Rishengchang Exchange House, known as the birthplace of China’s modern banking system.

   Founded during the Qing Dynasty, Rishengchang created a nationwide money-transfer network and played an important role in the development of Chinese commerce.

   Explore the traditional courtyards, offices, and historical displays that reveal how merchants managed financial transactions centuries ago.

   Ming-Qing Street

   Walk through Ming-Qing Street, the most famous commercial street in Pingyao Ancient City.

   The street preserves the appearance of a traditional Chinese marketplace, with historic storefronts, wooden signs, old residences, and local businesses.

   Take your time exploring the narrow lanes and experiencing the atmosphere of an ancient merchant town.

   Overnight in Pingyao

   After sightseeing, enjoy a relaxed evening inside the ancient city.

   The lantern-lit streets and traditional buildings create a completely different atmosphere after sunset.

   

2. Day 2

   Pingyao Cultural Heritage — Government Office, Confucian Temple & Shuanglin Temple

   Continue discovering Pingyao’s historical treasures before departure.

   Pingyao Ancient Government Office

   Visit the Pingyao County Government Office, one of the best-preserved ancient administrative complexes in China.

   Explore the traditional government buildings, courtyards, offices, and judicial areas to understand how local officials managed society during imperial times.

   The site provides a fascinating look into China’s historical administrative system.

   Confucian Temple

   Continue to the Confucian Temple, an important cultural landmark dedicated to Confucius.

   The temple reflects the importance of Confucian education and philosophy throughout Chinese history.

   Explore the traditional architecture and peaceful surroundings while learning about the role Confucian values played in ancient Chinese society.

   Shuanglin Temple

   Finish your Pingyao journey with a visit to Shuanglin Temple, located outside the ancient city.

   The temple is especially famous for its exceptional collection of painted clay sculptures, many of which have survived for centuries.

   Unlike ordinary Buddhist temples, Shuanglin Temple is celebrated for the artistic value and detail of its sculptures, making it one of Shanxi Province’s most important cultural sites.

   Departure from Pingyao

   After completing the sightseeing program, your guide and driver will transfer you to Pingyao railway station or your next destination.

   Your two-day Pingyao journey ends with memories of ancient city walls, merchant history, traditional culture, and remarkable Buddhist art.