No matter you access to Datong city by plane or high speed train, your local guide and driver will pick you up timely. A private vehicle with spacious luggage room will transfer you to your hotel. You can have a good sleep or explore the city a bit in the rest of the day. If looking for places to eat, you guide would be glad to give you some recommendations.

Your exploration begins with the UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes, one of the three greatest Buddhist sculpture complexes in China. With a history of over 1,500 years, Yungang Grottoes are replete with exquisite Buddhist imagery, which represents the best rock-cut achievement in the 5th and 6th centuries.

Then continue your exploration to a rare cultural relic, the Nine Dragons Screen. It was a part of a former celebrity’s mansion in Ming Dynasty. You cannot only see nine dragons in different postures on the reliefs, but also discover many delicate carvings of the sun, moon, cloud and vivid animals like lions, tigers, deer and horse.

Afterwards, you will head for the Huayan Temple, one of the oldest and best-preserved temple in Liao-Jin era. Wandering across the temple, you would be amazed at the sophisticated clay sculptures, wall paintings as well as the resplendent brass underground palace that houses hundreds of Buddha statues.

After breakfast, you will embark on a land transfer to the 1,400-year-old Hanging Monastery. The temple is quite a spectacle as it closely clings to a sheer cliff like a miracle. If you know a bit about Chinese religion, you will note that the temple combines three main beliefs including Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

After the visit follows a trip to the famous Wooden Pagoda in Ying County. With a striking height of 67.31 meters, it is the tallest wooden tower in the world that dates back to 1056 AD. A shiny facts you must know is that the pagoda is fully supported by mortise and tenon joints without any use of metal nails. Finishing the visiting, you will be transferred to Wutaishan and stay overnight there.

Hanging Monastery

Wooden Pagoda in Ying County

In the morning, you will set out for a pilgrimage to Mount Wutai, one of China’s four most sacred Buddhist Mountains. Listed as a world heritage site, the mountain is not only famous for its breathtaking natural scenery, but more immortally for its rich temple sites. There are 47 old temples and arrays of pagodas remaining in the mountains, which provide you a great chance to study Chinese Buddhist culture, ancient architecture and folk customs. Among the huge number of religious relics, you are highly recommended to cover the Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple and Bodhisattva Summit. At the end of the tour, you would be chauffeured to the Pingyao Old Town for a night stay.

Mount Wutai

Wutaishan

In its nearly three millennia of existence, Pingyao Old Town is regarded as one of the best-preserved walled towns in China. You can start today’s sightseeing from a panoramic view on the 6.4km-long city wall, where you can imagine how flows of ancient folks lived along the crisscrossing lanes. Pingyao Ancient Town still retains a great number of historical gems that offer you great insights into China’s yesterday. It would be great delight for you to stroll along the cobbled Ming-Qing Street to sense the old commercial ambience.

There is no reason to skip Rishengchang Draft Bank, the first public bank in China, where you can learn about the financial industry in ancient days. Then move to the former County Government to see what Chinese ancient trial court is like, and drop by the Confucius Temple to see how civil servants are elected by imperial exams. In the evening, you are suggested to explore the glitzy lantern-lit views of the town on your own. It is a great time for photography, do not miss it.

After breakfast, drive out of Pingyao Old Town and have an adventure to the Zhangbi Ancient Fortress. Zhangbi is a very small and remote village where only a few elderly people still live in. The ancient fortress is an interesting defense system based on tunnels built on a hill top where locals could hide and sustain a siege for months. You can walk through the maze-like tunnels with a flash light, and your guide will help you make the turns.

Later, hop on your van again for a ride to the Wang’s Compound. Constructed in the 18th century, it was an impressive collective residences of all descendants and extended family of Governor Wang, where you can admire ancient Chinese architecture at its best preserved condition. Strolling through the courtyards, you would see a lot of beautiful carvings and statues. Every little piece of decoration has its hidden meaning waiting for you to uncover. Concluding the trip, you will be escorted to the railway station for a train to your next destination. Have a safe journey!

Zhangbi Ancient Fortress

Wang's Compound