Day 1 Taiyuan → Zhenguo Temple → Shuanglin Temple → Pingyao Ancient City → Taiyuan Liuxiang
·morning
【Special Reminder】
During the peak season, traffic jams and queues at scenic spots may occur, so you may need to leave early. Please do not take photos if you mind.
During the peak season, we do not accept tourists who have big travel plans on the day. If you still register with big travel plans and cause missed flights or trains, the travel agency will not be able to compensate you.
Meet at 07:50 and depart at 08:00. Please take the subway or taxi to the North Gate of Yingze Park to meet up and head to Pingyao Ancient City to start your exploration of the World Heritage today.
The specific address is: North Gate of Yingze Park, Da Nanmen, Yingze Street, 30 meters from Exit E of Taiyuan Metro [Da Nanmen] Station. Please be informed!
·morning
Visit Zhenguo Temple from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Zhenguo Temple, over 1,000 years old, is said to have been founded during the Five Dynasties period. Though modest in scale, it boasts a majestic and imposing presence. Zhenguo Temple boasts two treasures: the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, a Five Dynasties building, and its painted sculptures. Among my country's surviving wooden structures, the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas is only later than the Nanchan and Foguang temples on Mount Wutai. Constructed entirely of wood, the entire structure is constructed entirely of interlocking timber, without a single nail. It is one of the few surviving Five Dynasties wooden structures in China. Aside from a small number of Five Dynasties painted sculptures found in the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, the painted sculptures within the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas at Zhenguo Temple are the only Five Dynasties-era works to survive in temples and monasteries nationwide.
Key attractions: Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Five Dynasties-era colored sculptures
Lunch at your own expense in Pingyao Ancient City from 11:30 to 13:00
·afternoon
Visit Shuanglin Temple from 13:00 to 14:30
Shuanglin Temple boasts a history of over 1,400 years. Its Tang Dynasty locust trees, Song Dynasty steles, Ming Dynasty bells, painted sculptures, and murals are among the world's rarest treasures. The more than 2,000 painted clay sculptures are particularly remarkable. They inherit the fine traditions of painted sculpture from the Tang, Song, Liao, Jin, and Yuan dynasties, representing a quintessential fusion of sculpture and painting techniques. They are known as the "Art Treasure House of Oriental Painted Sculpture." Among them are the Crossing the Sea Guanyin, the Eighteen Arhats, the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin, and the Skanda statue, each a masterpiece that evokes pause, fascination, and imagination.
Key attractions: Guanyin Crossing the Sea, Eighteen Arhats, Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin, Skanda Statue
Around 14:30-18:00 [Pingyao Ancient City] Free travel, self-guided tour
Pingyao Ancient City, one of China's four best-preserved ancient cities, was built during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou, with a history of over 2,700 years. It has well-preserved the basic features of a county town from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Pingyao Ancient City is a vivid reflection of Shanxi's merchant culture. Rishengchang Bank pioneered China's national banking industry, and Tongxing Public Escort Agency, the predecessor of modern logistics and insurance, was once at its peak. You can have a free lunch in Pingyao, eat and shop, walk along the ancient city wall, and have some fun.
Recommended travel guide: (ticket version) Qingxu Temple - China Chamber of Commerce Museum (good photo angle in the third exhibition room upstairs) - Gongji Gate Upper City Wall - Yingxun Gate Lower City Wall - Confucian Temple - City God Temple - Xietongqing (underground vault) - Rishengchang - County Government Office
Recommended travel guide: (No ticket required) Huoshenmiao Street - Yaochang Street - Madao Street - Shaxiang Street - Xihujing Street (explore the scattered ancient century-old courtyards on your own) - South Street
Special reminder: This tour does not include the Pingyao Ancient City Pass, please purchase it as needed.
If you want to watch "See Pingyao Again" or stay in Pingyao that night, you can inform the tour guide in Pingyao Ancient City and then leave on your own.
After having fun, return to Taiyuan
The group will disband at Liuxiang Food Street in Taiyuan at around 19:30. You can continue to visit and eat at Taiyuan's night market.
