• Discover China’s Historical Gems: From Xi’an to Pingyao

    ★★★★★

    4.9/5 527 Latest reviews

    Tour Code: ODY-CN-2487

    Destination:Xi’an, Linfen, Pingyao

Duration

2 Days

Tour Type

Private & Bespoke

Tour Style

Classic

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Itinerary
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About This Trip

This 7-day journey offers a captivating exploration of China’s historical and cultural treasures. Begin in Xi’an, where you’ll marvel at the Terracotta Warriors and the ancient city wall. Experience local life and cuisine by visiting a local family before heading to the Hukou Waterfall, a stunning natural wonder. Continue to Linfen, located in Shanxi Province, you’ll discover the architectural inspirations behind the famous scenes in Black Myth: Wukong. Visit the impressive Guangsheng Temple, known for its stunning glazed pagoda, and explore the exquisite cliff carvings of Xiaoxitian. In Pingyao, delve into ancient commerce at Rishengchang Draft Bank, admire traditional Pingyao architecture, and explore the Wang Family Courtyard. Wrap up your trip with the vibrant art of Shuanglin Temple.

Itinerary Summary

DAYPLACEHIGHLIGHTS
1-4Xi’anTerracotta Warriors, Bronze Chariots, Xi’an City Wall, Visit a Local Family, Muslim Street, Great Tang All Day Mall, Hukou Waterfall
5LuoyangGuangsheng Temple, Xiaoxitian Temple
6 -7PingyaoWang Family’s Compound, Shuanglin Temple, Paper-Cutting Experience, The Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Ming and Qing Street, Pingyao Ancient City Wall
Quick Question

Itinerary

Welcome to Xi’an, the eastern starting point of the Silk Road!

With thousands of years of history, this city is often called a living history museum. Upon your arrival in Xi’an, a local guide will pick you up and escort you to your hotel safely. After checking in, you can take a short rest, and if time permits, explore the nearby night market to sample some street food.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

After breakfast, drive about an hour to the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, where you’ll explore the Terracotta Warriors Museum. This site reveals three burial pits, each showcasing different types of terracotta figures—generals, soldiers, and charioteers—all with unique postures and expressions. The army stands in a powerful, orderly formation, evoking a sense of awe. Don’t miss the museum’s crown jewel, the bronze chariots. Their intricate details, from the adornments to the reins, vividly bring to life the charioteer guiding four horses from over two thousand years ago.

Return to the city and enjoy the dazzling Great Tang All Day Mall, where Tang Dynasty architecture blends with modern structures. Under brilliant lights, encounter actors in traditional costumes and marvel at live performances, including the enchanting never-falling performers.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

In the morning, you will step onto the ancient City Wall, which has stood for over 600 years. Stroll along the wall, absorbing its rich history, or choose to cycle around it, taking in panoramic views of this city that once served as the capital for thirteen dynasties.

Next, visit a local home in Xi’an and join the host in preparing a sumptuous lunch. You can try making noodles, wrapping dumplings, or learning to cook authentic local dishes under the host’s guidance.

After a hearty meal and a brief rest, you’ll visit the Gao Family Courtyard to enjoy traditional shadow puppetry and experience the art of Chinese calligraphy. Then, take a leisurely walk at the Muslim Quarter, lined with hundreds of snack stalls. The lights of street vendors, the murmur of passers-by, the shouts of shopkeepers, and the sizzling sounds of stir-frying all blend, creating a lively and vibrant scene.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Today, embark on a four-hour drive to the Hukou Waterfall for an adventurous experience. Here, the mighty Yellow River, spanning hundreds of meters wide, suddenly narrows and plunges into a deep stone trough, creating a spectacular waterfall. In this kettle-shaped canyon, you’ll witness the roaring torrents up close, with splashing waves and mist filling the air, offering an intense and immersive encounter with the river’s power.

After lunch, you’ll leave Shaanxi Province and drive for about two hours to reach Shanxi Province, home to 27 filming locations featured in Black Myth: Wukong, and stay overnight in Linfen.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

This morning, follow in Wukong’s footsteps and visit Guangsheng Temple. The Upper Temple features the multi-colored glazed pagoda, a majestic structure that has withstood wars and natural disasters. In the Down Temple, the Shui Shen Temple showcases murals depicting scenes from 700 years ago, illustrating the rituals of praying for rain, performing rain ceremonies, and offering thanks to the gods. Additionally, the temple houses the Zhaocheng Jin Tripitaka, a Buddhist encyclopedia that has made a significant impact on the academic world.

Next, travel about 150 kilometers to Xi County to visit the Qianfo Nunnery, also known as Xiaoxitian. Here, the cliff carvings and painted statues of Buddhas are renowned for their small size, delicate craftsmanship, and unique charm, with the suspended sculptures representing the pinnacle of this artistic form. Around 2.5 hours later, you will arrive at Pingyao Old Town, where you can relax and rest, preparing for a leisurely journey tomorrow.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Strolling in the ancient town of Pingyao, you will first visit China’s first-ever bank, Rishengchang Draft Bank, to learn about the origins and operations of ancient finance while soaking in the bustling atmosphere that once filled this historic hub of commerce. Admire the well-preserved architecture along the Ming and Qing Street and experience the rich historical ambiance of local life. Try your hand at the traditional folk art of Pingyao paper cutting, where you’ll appreciate the delicate craftsmanship and create your paper-cut work. Then, ascend the well-preserved Pingyao Ancient City Wall for panoramic views of the town, where the interplay between history and modernity comes to life.

Later, head to the expansive Wang Family Courtyard to marvel at the intricate brick and wood carvings, as well as the unique architectural style that reflects the wealth and wisdom of the Shanxi merchants.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Before you leave Pingyao, make sure not to miss Shuanglin Temple. Spanning 15,000 square meters, the temple houses over 2,000 intricately detailed and lifelike painted sculptures. These sculptures depict a wide range of figures, including the Thousand-Armed Guanyin, bodhisattvas, arhats, and heavenly kings. The temple also features rich secular scenes, such as dancers, musicians, and performers, offering a vivid glimpse into both spiritual and worldly life. Afterward, a private transfer will take you to the high-speed train station for your onward journey to your next destination.

🍽 Local dining

◷ Flexible timing

▱ Beijing

Why Choose Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd.

12-Year TripAdvisor Award

Travellers’ Choice winner every year since 2013

No Commission Shopping

Zero shopping stops, zero pressure, zero hidden agendas

100% Private

Every tour is exclusively yours — no strangers, no shared buses

Expert Local Guides

Licensed, English-speaking guides with deep local knowledge

Real reviews from real travellers

  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eI highly recommend Inner Mongolia Jiuhong Travel Service Co., Ltd. The team is very easy to work with, has excellent ideas and the guides are knowledgeable and easy to be with. Very solid itineraries and execution — flexible, high quality, and great value for money.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    James T.
    Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe visited both Xi’an and Shanghai under Jiuhong’s arrangement and received the same first-class service in both cities. The guides were knowledgeable, flexible, and happy to discuss all aspects of modern China — giving insights difficult to obtain elsewhere. Strongly recommended.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Greenfly
    Couples · Verified · TripAdvisor
  • u003cemu003eu003cemu003eWe had a wonderful action-packed day. Fei Fei was amazing — her knowledge was very impressive and she was a real pleasure to be with. This was certainly the highlight of our stay in this beautiful city. Thanks so much.u003c/emu003eu003c/emu003e
    Ludovic V.
    Couples · London, UK · Verified · TripAdvisor

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