Second day in Shanxi (from Pingyao)

Question

Hello,

We’re planning a May trip to China and are planning to spend at least 1 day (2 nights) in Pingyao between Xi'An and Beijing. We have one free day in our itinerary and are looking at maybe using it to spend another night in Shanxi, probably based out of Pingyao for the sake of convenience.

Given two days in Shanxi, how would you plan your itinerary? We're planning to visit the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang, so probably won't go to Datong unless the Yungang Grottoes are very different (which they don't seem to be?), and we live near a lot of waterfalls so Hukou falls aren't really a consideration. We are very interested in history and architecture and understand that Shanxi has many of China's best preserved and oldest temples, though obviously many of those are pretty far out of the way. We are open to hiring a private driver or doing a tour for a day. Any advice is appreciated!

Answer

Spending two days in Shanxi with Pingyao as your base is a great way to explore the province’s rich historical and architectural heritage without excessive travel. Since you already have one full day in Pingyao itself, the second day can be used for a nearby excursion.

Day 1: Pingyao

Explore Pingyao Ancient City, including the city walls, Rishengchang Exchange Shop (China’s first bank), and the Confucian Temple.
Visit local temples and traditional merchant houses. Qiao Family Compound is highly recommended if you want a larger, more opulent residence outside the city (about 1 hour by car).
Stroll the old streets and try local Shanxi cuisine, such as hand-pulled noodles and local snacks.

Day 2: Excursion from Pingyao

For your second day, hiring a private driver or joining a small tour is highly recommended since many of the top historical sites are spread out and public transport may be inconvenient.

Option 1: Qiao Family Compound + Wang Family Compound – Both are impressive examples of Shanxi merchant architecture and can be done in a single day. A driver can pick you up from Pingyao, take you to Qiao Compound, then to Wang Compound, and return you by evening.
Option 2: Shuanglin Temple – Famous for its thousands of well-preserved clay sculptures dating back to the Song Dynasty. This is close to Pingyao (about 30 min drive), so you could combine it with Pingyao city exploration or other nearby temples.
Option 3: Hengshan or Mount Wutai day trip – If you prefer temples in a more scenic or mountainous setting, Mount Wutai is a major Buddhist site. This would require an early start and long travel (approx. 3 hours each way), so it’s more feasible with a private car or driver.

General tips:

Hiring a driver is recommended for flexibility and efficiency, especially if you want to reach sites like Qiao Compound, Wang Compound, or Shuanglin Temple in a single day.
Focus on historical and architectural highlights rather than natural scenery since Shanxi’s temples and merchant houses are the main attraction.
Bring cash for entrance fees and small purchases, as some smaller sites may not accept cards.

Summary: Spend one day immersed in Pingyao itself, and the second day on a half or full-day private excursion to the most historically and architecturally significant sites nearby. Qiao Family Compound + Wang Compound or Shuanglin Temple are the most convenient and rewarding options for a single day.

Second day in Shanxi (from Pingyao)

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