Day 1 Xian--Pingyao by Train

Today, you'll take the train from Xian to Pingyao by your own. Upon arrival in Pingyao, your local guide will pick you up at the exit of the train station with a welcome signage. 

Your Pingyao adventure tour begins with Qiao Family Courtyard. Qiao Family Compound is 42 km away from Pingyao Ancient City. With Chinese classical architectural designs and exquisite decorations, it is representative of Chinese northern folk residences. This family compound shows not only the fortune and prosperity of the Qiao family, but also the folk customs and culture of Shanxi Province in the period. 

Highlights: The whole complex looks like double Chinese characters "?" standing together from a bird-eye view. "?" in Chinese means joy and happiness. The complex was built in such a structure to express a good wish. In the Qiao Family Compound, wood carvings, brick carvings, stone carvings, murals and wall sculptures with distinctive characteristics. Over 140 chimneys each has different features and decorations. On the underside of the eaves, there are murals telling about folktales. The courtyard has been featured in many famous Chinese movies and TV series, including the well-known film "Raise the Red Lantern." This internationally-acclaimed film fully demonstrates the house's character.

After lunch, you will head for Mingqing Street. Known as the "Wall Street of China" in the ancient times, Ming-Qing Street runs around 750 meters and is home to about 100 shops and local houses. This street is not very wide, but is an ideal place for who want to go shopping or eat food. The shops on the street are very nicely arranged on the sides. Built from bricks and stones, the shops manifest the Ming and Qing architectural designs. you will not only be held back by its awesome air of ethnicity complete with Chinese red lanterns in front of each establishment, but also by the waft of local gastronomy, which you just cannot miss. 

Continue your tour to the Ancient Wall of Pingyao City. The ancient wall was first built in about 2,700 years ago was expanded in the Ming Dynasty. It was the most well-preserved wall among the ancient historical and cultural cities in China. This City Wall in Pingyao is square, 10 meters high, 5 meters wide, and 5.4 kilometers in circumference. A bird's-eye view of the city, the wall looks like a turtle, hence the name 'Turtle City'.

After the tour of City Wall, drive you to your hotel in Pingyao, our guide will help you check in and today your tour ends.

Day 2 Pingyao

After breakfast, you will start your tour with Rishengchang Exchange Shop.

Rishengchang Exchange Shop: It's considered the first draft bank in China's history, was founded during the Qing Dynasty (1823). In the nineteenth century, at its peak, it controlled almost half of the Chinese economy and its branches were widespread throughout China's big urbans and capital, Beijing. And in some western and southeastern countries, Rishengchang also owned its branches and offices. A famous Chinese writer named Yu Qiuyu has once stated that Rishengchang is the " rural grandfather " of all the modern Chinese banks. The exchange shop is now a museum and in 2006 was included on the List of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites (6-484). 

In 1824, Rishengchang set up a branch in Taiyuan. The main business was cheques or drafts which called the "tickets" in Chinese. The secrecy of the production and writing of the "tickets" had very strict request and were never allowed to make mistakes. At that time, Taiyuan was the base camp of Shanxi businessmen's distribution and maintenance of goods.

Then head to the Armed Escort Company Museum, it offers an eye-opening insight into the significant role played by armed escorts in promoting commerce. The economic boom under the two dynasties meant a lot of cash moving from one area to the next. In order to thwart thieving hands, Pingyao's ever-resourceful and pragmatic merchants lete their cash cows in the professional hands of security escorts.

Your final destination is County Government Office. According to historical records, it was originally built in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), then renovated in 1370, giving it a history of more than 600 years. County Goverment Office is one of four classical county government complexes in China that have been preserved, and the biggest of its kind. There are front rooms for offices, back rooms for living quarters, with those to the left for civil servants and those to the right for members of the military.

Highlights: In the county government office, visitors can see the county magistrate judging cases and handling official affairs every day. They can also see an official standing by the magistrate, recording files in the same way as in ancient times. Such a vivid performance will give tourists a sense of transcending time and space.

At the end, drive you back to your hotel or Pingyao train station.

Optional Service:
1. Private One Way Transfer From Xian downtown hotel to Xian train station: 51USD
2. Private One Way Transfer From Xian train station to Xian downtown hotel: 51USD
3. Round Way Xian Pingyao "D" Train Tickets:  50USD for 2nd class train ticket
Above service is for your references, the 3 days Pingyao tour from Xian is 100% flexible and customizable, feel free to let us know your requirement.

Price Per Person in US Dollars