Day 1 → → → Datong full day meeting day
All day
Tourists from all over the world can choose their own transportation and meet at the designated hotel in Datong. Please report "China-Travel Note + Name" to the hotel front desk for check-in. It is recommended to check in after 14:00. If you arrive at the hotel early, you can leave your luggage at the hotel front desk and go out to play first. Please carry valuables with you. Please pay attention to safety during free time!
Recommended attractions:
Datong Ancient City, Huayan Temple, Shanhua Temple, Nine Dragon Screen, Datong City Wall, Datong Museum, Datong Earth Forest, etc.
Recommended Datong cuisine:
Datong knife-cut noodles, Hunyuan jelly, assorted copper hot pot, Datong mutton offal, Shuaifu Street rabbit head, oat noodle kuoluoluo, Datong yellow cake, minced eight-part soup, etc.
Traffic information tips:
If there are no suitable direct flights to Datong, you can fly to Taiyuan or Beijing Airport, and then transfer to the high-speed rail to Datong in about 2 hours.
It takes about 40 minutes by taxi from Datong Jiji Hotel to the airport, and about 15 minutes to Datong South and Datong Station, and the cost is about 20-60 yuan.
Day 2 Datong → Yungang Grottoes → Yanmen Pass → Ying County
All day
After breakfast, we headed to the Yungang Grottoes, a world cultural heritage site.
The Yungang Grottoes boast a history of over 1,500 years. Along with the Mogao Grottoes, the Longmen Grottoes, and the Maijishan Grottoes, they are considered one of the "Four Great Grottoes of China" and are hailed as a treasure trove of ancient Chinese sculpture. They boast 45 major caves, over 1,000 niches of various sizes, and over 51,000 stone Buddha statues. Carved into the mountainside, thirteen pairs of "four-sided divine pillars riding elephants" flank Foguang Avenue. Over twenty caves of varying sizes stretch across approximately two kilometers of the mountain, interspersed with classical Chinese architecture. The Yungang Grottoes blend artistic styles from ancient India, the Western Regions, and the Central Plains, creating a breathtaking and captivating experience that is truly captivating and truly inspiring.
After the end, go to [Yanmen Pass], the nine fortresses in the world, Yanmen is the first
In Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils and numerous film and television dramas, Yanmen Pass is a prominent location. From the murder of Xiao Yuanshan at Yanmen Pass to the Liao army's approach and Qiao Feng's suicide by jumping off a cliff after forcing back a million-strong army, all took place at Yanmen Pass. Throughout history, Yanmen Pass has witnessed the heroic deeds of countless heroes and generals, including Li Mu, a renowned Warring States general; Meng Tian, a great Qin general; Li Guang, a flying general of the Han Dynasty; and Xue Rengui, a general of the early Tang Dynasty. Beyond war, Yanmen Pass also witnessed the marriages of five princesses, including Wang Zhaojun, who journeyed from their homelands to distant lands. Let's ascend the Great Wall pass here and indulge in the feeling of chivalry.
After a fun day of sightseeing, we headed to the Ying County Hotel for check-in. We were free to explore the streets and sample Ying County delicacies like jelly noodles, beef kidneys, and mutton offal.
Day 3 Ying County → Ying County Wooden Pagoda → Hanging Temple → Mount Wutai
All day
After breakfast, visit the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the world's tallest wooden pagoda
The Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, considered one of the "Three Great Pagodas of the World" along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, is over 960 years old. Standing 67.31 meters tall and with a base diameter of 30.27 meters, it is octagonal in plan and constructed entirely of wood, without nails or rivets. Two tooth relics of Sakyamuni Buddha are enshrined within the pagoda. Wind chimes are installed under the eaves of each floor, creating a melodious tinkling sound in the breeze. Having survived earthquakes, wars, and lightning strikes, the pagoda still stands today, prompting Liang Sicheng to praise it, saying, "Without seeing this pagoda, one has no idea how far wooden structures can go!"
Afterwards, we headed to the Hanging Temple, one of the world's ten most endangered buildings according to Time Magazine.
Known as "The Hanging Temple, half the height of the sky, suspended in the air by three horsetails," the Hanging Temple boasts a history of over 1,500 years. Its more than 40 halls and pavilions, thanks to their mortise and tenon joints, are embedded into the cliff face and remain standing. The poet Li Bai was so enchanted by the magnificent sight, and Xu Xiake praised it as one of the world's greatest sights. While navigating the temple, you might expect a steep and treacherous staircase, but the entrances and exits are hidden in subtle corners and mezzanines, so be careful when climbing up and down. Ascending the temple and gazing out at Mount Hengshan across the way, you'll experience a thrilling adrenaline rush.
[Important Reminder! Hanging Temple Ticket Reservation Rules]
1. Due to the high number of visitors to the Hanging Temple, there may be temporary restrictions, suspension of sales, and long queues. The scenic area requires real-name reservations for ticket purchases, and travel agencies cannot purchase tickets on behalf of the visitors. Therefore, this product only includes the entrance ticket to the Hanging Temple and does not include the boarding ticket (boarding ticket is 100 yuan/person). Tourists who want to experience the boarding experience, please make a boarding ticket reservation in advance on the Hengshan Scenic Area official account (entry tickets are handled by travel agencies, so you do not need to make a reservation yourself). If you are unable to make a reservation, you will have to queue up on site to buy tickets. If you cannot get a ticket, please remain calm, as we will visit the temple as usual.
2. Reservations for tickets to the Hanging Temple will start 7 days in advance through the official account. Tickets will be released at 7:20 every morning, with two time periods: 8:00-12:00 in the morning and 12:00-17:00 in the afternoon. The time for purchasing tickets to the Hanging Temple during the normal Shanxi Panorama itinerary is 8:00-12:00 on D3. Please make your own reservations according to the group period you registered for. Please be informed!
3. If the official account shows that there are no tickets, you can go to the "Ctrip" and "Tongcheng" mini-programs or apps to purchase boarding tickets; or until the day of the Hanging Temple, if there are no tickets, check more often at 7:20/12:00 every day, and you may be able to find a bargain.
4. Note! Tourists over 60 years old or children under 6 years old who require free boarding tickets must make a reservation. Boarding is not permitted without a reservation. Free boarding tickets can only be reserved through the official WeChat account and cannot be reserved through Ctrip or Tongcheng.
5. Foreign tourists or tourists holding passports can purchase boarding tickets on Ctrip. Please purchase them 7 days in advance according to your travel schedule!
After having fun, head to Mount Wutai, one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China.
Mount Wutai is not a single mountain, but a series of peaks nestled atop the "Roof of North China." Five peaks encircle the entire area, their treeless, flat, broad summits resembling a platform of earth, hence the name. Mount Wutai is a Buddhist monastery where Qing (Han Buddhism) and Huang (Tibetan) temples intersect, attracting emperors of many dynasties. (Today's visit schedule and attractions are subject to change, generally 1-2 stops.)
We will stay in Taihuai Town for dinner. We will prepare a vegetarian meal for you.
Experiencing vegetarian food culture at a Buddhist holy site. The origins and spread of vegetarian food can be traced back to Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan. With imperial advocacy and imperial decrees, vegetarianism became widespread. During the Qing Dynasty, whenever Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong visited Mount Wutai, the abbots of the temples would serve them a delicious vegetarian meal as a welcome treat.
Stay at Mount Wutai at night and have a good rest~
Day 4 Mount Wutai → Foguang Temple → Taiyuan
All day
After breakfast, visit Mount Wutai, one of the ten famous mountains in China (today's visit time and attractions will be adjusted according to actual conditions, usually 3-4 points)
You can pray along the way. At Tayuan Temple, you'll find the iconic White Pagoda, a pristine white tower with over 200 bronze bells adorning its summit, creating a melodious sound. The tower rises majestically from the ground, soaring into the sky. You can circumambulate the pagoda to fulfill your vows, chanting sutras, kowtowing, and stroking the Dharma Wheel as you walk.
Xiantong Temple—One of the earliest Buddhist temples in China, it boasts a well-organized layout of halls and wings, a distinct central axis, and symmetrical side halls. The bronze hall, containing 100,000 kilograms of copper, is one of the best-preserved in China.
Luohou Temple is one of the ten well-preserved yellow temples and five Zen temples in Wutai Mountain. The two wooden buildings in the temple are famous for receiving guests from all over the world. The "Buddha appearing in the flower" in the temple is very mysterious.
Shuxiang Temple, one of the five major Zen temples in Wutai Mountain, is the largest temple in the central Taihuai area. The statue of Manjushri riding a lion, enshrined on the central altar within the temple, stands nearly ten meters tall and is the tallest Manjushri statue among the temples in Wutai Mountain.
Then go to [Foguang Temple] Liang Sicheng's hard-earned pursuit of "China's First National Treasure"
Foguang Temple has survived millennia, defying Japanese scholars' claim that "there is no Tang Dynasty art in China." It embodies the culmination of over 1,000 years of architectural and decorative art, showcasing the styles of the Wei, Qi, Tang, and Song dynasties. This grand exhibition hall of architectural art showcases Foguang Temple's "Four Wonders": Tang Dynasty architecture, Tang Dynasty inscriptions, Tang Dynasty murals, and Tang Dynasty statues, demonstrating its high-caliber construction. While no tangible remains of Tang Dynasty palaces and government offices remain, this building offers a crucial glimpse into the splendor of the Tang Dynasty and preserves a vital hope. Here, one feels the arduous and persistent search for ancient architecture by Liang Lin amidst the war, and finds inner peace and tranquility amidst the pristine mountains.
If you stay in Taiyuan at the right time, you can freely explore the streets and taste Taiyuan's special delicacies such as knife-cut noodles and oat noodles.
Day 5: Shanxi Museum → Jin Temple → Pingyao Ancient City
All day
After breakfast, head to Shanxi Museum: the hardcore "Internet celebrity" of Shanxi
To understand a place, you must visit its museums. The Shanxi Museum boasts a collection of over 500,000 artifacts, including bronze, porcelain, stone carvings, Buddhist statues, murals, calligraphy, and paintings, all of which are truly astonishing. Here, amidst the dazzling array of artifacts and the bustling crowds of people, you'll see "old objects" from different eras, etched with the marks of time, constantly telling ancient stories. You'll also witness people, fascinated by history, wandering among them with awe, gaining a deeper understanding of Shanxi.
Then go to [Jin Temple] The best of the Three Jins, all in Jin Temple
A visit to Shanxi is a must-see for those visiting the Jin Temple. Over 1,500 years old, it's one of China's oldest existing imperial sacrificial gardens. It embodies a blend of grandeur and elegance, a model of ancestral temple architecture integrated with natural landscapes. The Nanlao Spring, the Maidservant Statue, and the Virgin Mary Statue are known as the "Three Wonders of the Jin Temple." Two Zhou Dynasty cypress trees within the temple are said to be over 3,000 years old, reflecting the vicissitudes of Jinyang. A quiet tour of the Jin Temple reveals a thousand-year-old beauty that even Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin cherished.
After having fun, head to Pingyao Ancient City, one of the four relatively well-preserved ancient cities.
Upon arrival at Pingyao Ancient City, we'll check in at the inn before embarking on our journey through the ancient city. Located in Pingyao County in central Shanxi Province, Pingyao Ancient City boasts over 2,700 years of history and is one of only two ancient county towns in China to have been successfully nominated for World Heritage status as a whole. You can purchase a Pingyao Pass, which includes access to over a dozen attractions, including the County Government Office, Rishengchang, the Escort Agency, and the Ancient City Wall, allowing you to immerse yourself in the culture of Shanxi merchants and the stories of Pingyao. Alternatively, you can relax on the inn's kang (kang-shaped bed) or quietly wander the streets and alleys of the ancient city, discovering your own version of Pingyao and savoring the leisure and laziness this ancient city offers. In the evening, you can explore the city's delicious food and enjoy the beautiful nightscape in the cool breeze.
Day 6 Pingyao Ancient City → Shuanglin Temple → Wang Family Courtyard → Overnight in Hongdong County
All day
After breakfast, everyone had free time in Pingyao Ancient City for the whole morning.
Tourists who want to immerse themselves in Pingyao's attractions can purchase the Pingyao Ancient City Pass. Here are some recommended attractions:
Xietongqing Bank - Get your money! It has the largest and most complete underground vault in my country! Imagine the glorious past when the cave-like vaults were filled with gold and silver.
The China Escort Agency Museum, founded by renowned martial arts master Wang Zhengqing, offers a glimpse into the life of the Escort Agency. For those interested in martial arts, the backyard training ground features sandbags, archery targets, and plum blossom piles, perfect for posing for photos.
Rishengchang - China Piaohao Museum, China's earliest bank! Learn about the origins of Shanxi merchants, the Piaohao operating system, and the brilliant Shanxi merchant culture, and experience the integrity culture that Shanxi merchants defended with their lives and the great talents and strategies of Shanxi merchants at that time.
Chenghuang Temple - the God of Wealth Temple, the City God Temple, and the Kitchen God Temple are three temples in one. This temple-within-a-temple structure is unique in China. The glazed tiles and colored sculptures are very attractive.
Ma Family Courtyard - known as "the first house in Pingyao", is the former residence of Ma Zhongxuan, a wealthy businessman in the Qing Dynasty. It is an ancient residential complex with great artistic charm and ornamental value.
Tourists interested in travel makeup and photoshoots should definitely try the "Jin Merchants' Madam" makeup and photoshoot experience when visiting Pingyao! After getting your makeup done, pose in various poses along Ming and Qing Dynasty streets, and you'll feel like you've stepped back into that era!
Tourists interested in ancient architecture can also take a taxi to Zhenguo Temple, one of the "Twin Pearls of Pingyao" and listed as a World Cultural Heritage together with Pingyao Ancient City, to admire the ancient buildings, painted sculptures, and murals.
We will then visit Shuanglin Temple, a treasure house of oriental colored sculpture art, to appreciate the beauty of the blend of clay sculptures and murals.
Shanxi's ancient architecture is incredibly popular. Let's explore Pingyao's Shuanglin Temple and experience the breathtaking beauty of Chinese painted sculptures! These temple's painted sculptures are a classic fusion of sculpture and painting, perfectly preserving Buddhist iconography. While inheriting the essence of Tang, Song, Jin, and Yuan dynasty sculptures, they transcend religious limitations and emphasize the humanity of the deities. Each sculpture is vivid and lifelike, imbued with both human presence and divine charm. The Sakya Hall features statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and his attendant bodhisattvas. The walls, in the form of comic strips, depict 48 episodes from the life of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, from his reincarnation as a white elephant to his death in Shuanglin Temple. These sculptures fully demonstrate the versatile and rich artistic expression of small clay sculptures.
Afterwards we will go to [Wang Family Courtyard] China's Folk Palace Museum
The Wang Family Courtyard is a culmination of Qing Dynasty residential architecture. Known for its emphasis on refinement over grandeur, novelty and elegance over delicate and extravagant design, it embodies the "delicate and complex" aesthetic of the Qing Dynasty. Following the footsteps of history, we'll wander among the ancient buildings, listen to stories of the courtyard's ups and downs, touch the meticulously crafted historical heritage, and stroll among the flowers and trees in the courtyard, feeling a sense of comfort all our own.
We will stay in Hongdong County that night, where you can enjoy local specialties such as Hongdong mutton stew, crispy pork noodles, rolls, ma tuo, and cakes.
Day 7 Hongdong County → Guangsheng Temple → Xixian Xiaoxitian → Stay in Hukou
All day
After breakfast, we headed to Guangsheng Temple to visit the Three Wonders of Guangsheng.
Remember the scene in the 1986 CCTV version of "Journey to the West" where Tang Monk sweeps the pagoda? That scene was filmed at Guangsheng Temple in Hongdong. Guangsheng Temple consists of three buildings: the Upper and Lower Temples, and the Water God Temple. The Feihong Pagoda, the Zhaocheng Golden Canon, and the Yuan Dynasty murals in the Water God Temple are known as the "Three Wonders of Guangsheng." The Feihong Pagoda is one of the five Buddhist relic pagodas and one of the four extant ancient pagodas in China. It is also the only well-preserved glazed pagoda with an inscription by a craftsman discovered to date. The Zhaocheng Golden Canon is a Song Dynasty woodblock print of the Kaibaozang, my country's first Tripitaka. This Tripitaka is a rare Chinese translation of Sanskrit scriptures brought back from India by the Tang Dynasty Tripitaka Master Xuanzang. It is the only such copy in the world and is therefore considered a rare treasure. It is considered one of the "Four Great Treasures of the National Library," along with the Yongle Encyclopedia, the Siku Quanshu, and the Dunhuang Manuscripts. Guangsheng Temple boasts murals throughout its halls, particularly the Yuan Dynasty murals in the lower temple's rear Buddha Hall and the Water God Temple. Whether it is selling fish on the street, praying for rain, playing ball, dressing up and having tea parties, etc., the mural scenes truly reflect the life of the people in the Yuan Dynasty.
Afterwards, we headed to Xiaoxitian in Xi County, a place that is considered the "ultimate masterpiece of hanging sculpture" in the history of Chinese sculpture and a must-see in your lifetime.
Hanging sculptures utilize the technique of "suspended sculpture." In ancient times, artisans accomplished such intricate feats by hand, a feat truly astonishing today. Forming these clay sculptures requires first creating fixed wooden stakes, then constructing a framework of wood strips and straw. The entire process is performed manually, without any machinery, at high altitudes, relying on manual labor. Due to the complex and challenging production process and the difficulty of preservation, these sculptures are extremely valuable. Xiaoxitian's colorful hanging sculptures, housed within a small hall measuring only 169.6 square meters, boast over 1,030 pieces, representing over 4% of the province's Ming and Qing dynasty sculptures. Surrounding five main figures, they fill the walls, purlins, and pillars, showcasing Buddhist disciples and birds and animals from legends in exquisitely sculpted and lifelike forms. The sculptures, including the Dharma Protector, Skanda, Vajra, Shancai, the Dragon Girl, the Musician, the Apsaras, the Dapeng, the Baipeng, and the Peacock, are particularly striking. Sculpted figures range from over three meters tall to barely the size of a thumb, they create a breathtaking, illusory Buddhist world.
Afterwards, we will go to Hukou to stay and listen to the surging Yellow River.
Day 8: West Hukou Waterfall in Tianshan Mountain → Yunqiu Mountain Ice Cave → Talpo Ancient Village → Stay in Yuncheng
All day
After breakfast, visit the Yellow Waterfall at Hukou Waterfall in Shanxi Province
At this point, the mighty Yellow River, over 500 meters wide, is suddenly bounded by its banks. Wide at the top, it narrows at the bottom, surging and pouring over a 50-meter drop, its momentum resembling the pouring out of an enormous pot, hence the name "Hukou Waterfall." Hukou in Shanxi offers two renowned wonders: "Boat on Land" and "Smoke Rising from the Water," both of which are rare sights. Details of Hukou in Shanxi: From the Shanxi side, you can see the "Yellow River Flowing from Heaven." In spring and autumn, the waters of Hukou are magnificent and majestic, transforming the clamor into tranquility. The waters become crystal clear, with crystal-clear icicles hanging upside down from the banks. The surging waters in the river, mingled with icicles, create the spectacular spectacle of a "Jade Pot of Icefall." On a clear day, the mist created by the water creates a rainbow in the sunlight, which hangs over the falls, a truly lucky sight!
Then go to [Yunqiu Mountain Ice Cave Group] to discover a huge natural ice cave group in China
Yunqiu Mountain's unique karst topography and rocky forests have created a variety of unique peaks and unique landscapes, creating a scene of "thousands of peaks competing for beauty and countless valleys." The Yunqiu Mountain Ice Caves, formed during the Quaternary glacial period, date back over three million years. Their scale is unique worldwide, and ice shoots, icicles, ice cones, and ice grapes can be seen everywhere, creating a breathtaking, fairy-like scene within the caves.
Then go to [Talpo Ancient Village] Jinnan Ancient Village Folk Customs
Talpo Ancient Village, a serene paradise nestled in the Yunqiu Mountains, boasts a maze-like architecture of stone-built, arched cave dwellings, with courtyards nestled within each other and cave dwellings within cave dwellings. Some courtyards are connected by secret passages, creating a maze-like architectural form. Local villagers still uphold traditional customs of marriage, childbearing, community sacrifices, and prayers. The Zhonghe Festival, originating in the Tang Dynasty, is a national intangible cultural heritage and continues to this day. Here, you can experience a variety of southern Shanxi folk customs. In summer, the Shenxian Valley in Yunqiu Mountain resembles a fairyland, with rising mist permeating the mountain forests, creating a refreshing and dreamy atmosphere. Don't miss it!
After enjoying the fun, check in to your Yuncheng hotel. You can find your own food at your leisure. Beixiang mutton and carrot, Wenxi boiled cakes, Jishan fried dough twist, and Jiezhou mutton soup steamed bun are all local delicacies not to be missed.
Day 9 Yuncheng → Yongle Palace → Yuncheng Station → Yuncheng High-speed Railway Station → Disband at Yuncheng Airport
All day
After breakfast, head to Yongle Palace, a wonder of ancient Chinese murals.
A must-see when visiting southern Shanxi is the murals of the Yongle Palace. Whether you're a mural enthusiast or not, you'll be captivated by them. The nearly 300 figures, each unique in its own way, are truly breathtaking. As a direct descendant of Tang and Song dynasty painting, especially mural art, the Yongle Palace murals hold a special place in the history of Chinese painting. The murals, covering a total of 1,000 square meters, were painted slightly before the European Renaissance, extending almost to the Yuan Dynasty.
At the right time, we concluded our pleasant journey, first dropping you off at Yuncheng Station, then at Yuncheng North Station, and finally at Yuncheng Salt Lake Airport. We estimated arrival times at Yuncheng Station are approximately 13:00, Yuncheng North Station approximately 13:20, and Yuncheng Airport approximately 13:40. We recommend that tourists book trains and high-speed trains after 14:00, and flights after 15:30.
Important reminder!!! During holidays such as May Day and National Day, there may be traffic jams during peak return trips. To avoid delays, please purchase flights or high-speed trains later than the ones noted on this page. Thank you for your understanding!
If there are tourists whose flights do not match the airport/station drop-off time or have other itinerary arrangements, we will disband the group in Yuncheng and will no longer arrange separate airport/station drop-off services. Please understand!
