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Home > Beijing & Surrounding > 12 DAYS SHANXI UNVEILED: HISTORIC ROOTS & SCENIC PEAKS

12 DAYS SHANXI UNVEILED: HISTORIC ROOTS & SCENIC PEAKS

Yuncheng, Jincheng, Changzhi, Linfen, Pingyao, Taiyuan, Mount Wutai, Datong

History & Culture

Highlights

  • Offbeat historical gems straddling multiple dynasties, showcasing ancient Chinese cultural heritage and architecture
  • Stunning, unspoiled natural wonders such as the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon and Baquan Gorge
  • Private harvest-themed folk dance performance at the Hukou Waterfall, the largest waterfall on the Yellow River
  • Immerse in the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Pingyao and the sacred Mount Wutai

Discover Shanxi, an important cradle of Chinese civilization and an untouched treasure trove of ancient temples, exquisite Chinese architecture and breathtaking landscapes.

Look forward to a captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, as we journey through majestic natural wonders such as the Yellow River Hukou Waterfall and world-renowned heritage sites like Pingyao Ancient City and the Yungang Grottoes.

Discover hidden gems such as Yongle Palace in Yuncheng and the Baguan Gorge, to Mount Wutai’s famous Buddhist temples and picturesque peaks.

From

HKD 30,980 Per Person

12 Days 11 Nights

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01 Arrival in Yuncheng

Yuncheng
Nil

Car Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Arrive in Yuncheng, a historic city in southwest Shanxi. Yuncheng was formerly known as Hedong, one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilisation. Be met by your guide and transfer to your hotel to rest for the evening.

Day 02 Yuncheng

Yuncheng
Breakfast included

Yuncheng Highlights

Discover underrated historic gems in Yuncheng, starting with Yongle Palace (永乐宫), renowned for stunning Yuan dynasty frescoes, some of best-preserved and most exquisite examples of ancient Chinese mural art.

Visit Guandi Temple (关帝庙), one of the largest temples dedicated to Guan Yu, a revered general from the Three Kingdoms period. Explore the Macun Brick Carving Tombs, (马村砖雕墓) for its intricate brick carving masterpieces from the Jin dynasty

Day 03 Yuncheng / Jincheng

Jincheng
Breakfast included

Car Transfer: Yuncheng to Jincheng with Sightseeing

Start off earlier today for a 3.5hours drive to Jincheng, where we will tour the Yuhuang Temple(玉皇庙), including the 28 Lunar Mansions showcasing ancient Chinese knowledge of astrology.

Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon

Be treated to stunning views of the Taihang Mountain Range from the Wangmangling (王莽岭)Scenic Spot. Take a scenic drive along the Hanging Cliff Road, a remarkable engineering feat carved into the Taihang mountain cliffs to explore the rest of the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon.

Day 04 Jincheng / Changzhi

Changzhi
Breakfast included

Car Transfer: Jingcheng to Changzhi

Drive to Changzhi (101km / 2hrs).

Guanyin Temple & Baquan (Eight Springs) Gorge

Visit the Guan Yin Temple(观音寺), known for its suspended ancient Chinese sculpture masterpieces such as the Eight Immortals and Guan Gong.

Explore the picturesque Baquan Gorge (八泉峡), a National 5A Scenic Area named after the eight springs that emerge from a single spot within the gorge. Enjoy a scenic boat ride through towering cliffs and crystal-clear streams.

Day 05 Changzhi / Linfen

Linfen
Breakfast included

Car Transfer: Changzhi to Linfen with Sightseeing

Drive to Changzhi (175km / 2hrs40mins) to visit Guangsheng Temple, followed by another 2 hours’ drive to Hukou Waterfall, before transferring to your accommodation in Linfen.

Guangsheng Temple

Guangsheng Temple (广胜寺). Here, you will find the Flying Rainbow Glass Pagoda, renowned for its exquisite and exceptionally preserved Yuan Dynasty murals.

Hukou Waterfalls with Private Folk Dance Performance

Drive another 2 hours to tour Hukou Waterfalls (壶口瀑布), the biggest waterfall on the Yellow River and 2nd largest waterfall in China. Here, we arranged a private harvest-themed folk performance specially for our group – a uniquely Shanxi cultural dance with the dramatic waterfalls as the backdrop.

Day 06 Linfen / Pingyao

Pingyao
Breakfast included

Car Transfer: Linfen to Pingyao via Jiexiu

Drive to Jiexiu (140km / 2hrs) to visit the Zhangbi Ancient Castle, followed by a drive to Pingyao (50km / 1hr).

Zhangbi Ancient Castle

Visit the Zhangbi Ancient Castle (张壁古堡), it is an ancient fortress-style village that integrates military, residential, productive, and religious functions. Its history can be traced back to the Sixteen Kingdoms period, dating back over 1,600 years.

Wang Grand Courtyard

Explore Wang Grand Courtyard(王家大院), an outstanding representative of residential architecture from the Qing Dynasty, hailed as the “Foremost Residential Complex in China.” Constructed by the Wang family of Jingsheng over more than 300 years during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it is grand in scale and meticulously designed, standing as a model of traditional northern Chinese residential architecture.

Day 07 Pingyao

Pingyao
Breakfast included

Stories of Pingyao

The UNESCO-listed Pingyao Ancient city (平遥古城) is one of best-preserved ancient walled cities in China. Highlights include the Rishengchang Draft Bank and Ming & Qing architecture.

We will also visit Shuanglin Temple & Zhenguo Temple (双林寺和镇国寺), both renowned for their long history and unique artistic value.

Optional Activity

In the evening, experience the immersive Youjian Pingyao [又见平遥] performance (additional cost applies), set against Pingyao Ancient City as the backdrop.

Day 08 Pingyao / Taiyuan

Taiyuan
Breakfast included

Car Transfer: Pingyao to Taiyuan

Drive to Taiyuan (107km / 1.5 hours).

Taiyuan’s Historical Treasures

Visit Shanxi Museum (山西博物馆) with its extensive collection of more than 500,000 cultural artifacts, including valuable bronze ware, porcelain, stone carvings and Buddhist statues.

Head to Jin Memorial Hall (晋祠), a temple built in honor of Tang Shuyu, the founding feudal lord of the Jin State. It is one of the oldest existing royal sacrificial gardens in China, with a history of over 1,500 years.

Day 09 Taiyuan / Mount Wutai

Mount Wutai
Breakfast included

Car Transfer: Taiyuan to Mount Wutai

Drive to Mount Wutai (200km / 3hrs)

Sacred Mount Wutai

Tour Mount Wutai (五台山), a revered destination for Buddhist pilgrims, named after its five majestic peaks. Explore the key sacred ancient temples here such as Xiantong (the oldest and largest temple on the mountain), Tayuan (known for its iconic white pagoda), as well as Bodhisattva Peak and Shuxiang.

Day 10 Mount Wutai / Datong

Datong
Breakfast included

Car Transfer: Mount Wutai to Datong with Sightseeing

Drive to Ying Country (277km / 3 hours) to visit Sakyamuni Wooden Pagoda. Continue another 1 hour to visit the Hanging Monastery. Thereafter, drive to Datong (70km / 1.5 hours).

Sakyamuni Wooden Pagoda (应县木塔)

This is one of the oldest and tallest wooden pagodas in China, first built over 1000 years ago during the Liao Dynasty. It has miraculously survived several major earthquakes!

Hanging Monastery (悬空寺)

Marvel at the Hanging Monastery, a spectacular Taoist temple and engineering feat built on a vertical cliff face.

Day 11 Datong

Datong
Breakfast included

Highlights of Datong

Visit Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟), one of the top grotto sites in China, famous for its vast array of Buddhist statues carved into the cliffs.

Explore the Huayan Temple (华严寺), one of the largest and most well-preserved Buddhist temples from the Liao and Jin periods, as well as the ancient city wall (古城墙), which has a history of over 600 years and represents China’s finest ancient military defence.

Day 12 Departure from Datong

Nil
Breakfast included

Car Transfer: Accommodation to Airport

Enjoy leisure time before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.

Hotels & Tour Price

Recommended Hotels

Indicative Cost Per Person (HKD)

Minimum 2 Pax HKD 49,980
Minimum 4 Pax HKD 30,980
Single Supplement HKD 5,350

Yuncheng Novtel Hotel • Jincheng Fengcheng Wellness Hotel • Changzhi Binhu Hotel • Linfen Wandayuehua Hotel • Pingyao Xinghuacun Hotel • Wutai Mt Marriott Hotel • Taiyuan JW Marriott

Yuncheng

Yuncheng

Yuncheng Novotel Hotel

Novotel Shanxi Yuncheng is situated on North Xueyuan Road with easy access to the major places of interest including Guandi Temple, Pujiu Temple, Guanque Tower, Yuncheng Salt lake, Yongle Palace and Mount Yunqiu. (239 rooms)

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Jincheng

Jincheng

Jincheng Fengcheng Wellness Hotel

Nestled in the scenic city of Jincheng and next to the Longma Lake, the Jincheng Fengcheng Wellness Center is a luxury hotel that offers a tranquil retreat designed for rejuvenation and relaxation. (Opened: 2020; Rooms: 118)

Changzhi

Changzhi

Changzhi Binhu International Hotel

A standout destination combining business, leisure, and cultural experiences. This 5-star hotel hosts extensive conference facilities and serves as a key venue for events and a gateway for visitors to explore Changzhi. Its expansive green spaces also offer guests a serene and picturesque retreat. (Opened: 2021; Rooms: 230)

Linfen

Linfen

Wanda Yuehua Hotel

Newly opened in 2023, Wanda Yuehua Linfen offers travelers a pleasant stay in Linfen, whether for business or leisure purposes. With multiple attractions nearby including Dayun Temple, Fenhe Park and Linfen Museum, guests will find plenty to keep themselves occupied. (Opened: 2023; Rooms: 99)

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Pingyao

Pingyao

Pingyao Xinghuacun Hotel

A welcoming retreat located in the heart of Pingyao Ancient City.This traditional inn hotel offers guests an authentic experience with its classic Chinese décor and modern comforts. (Opened: 2023; Rooms: 34)

Taiyuan

Taiyuan

Taiyuan JW Marriott Hotel

Located in the center of Taiyuan hinterland, standing in the lively proximity of the Yinxian commercial circle, the hotel is conveniently located in the surrounding transportation, only 20 minutes' drive from Taiyuan Wuxu International Airport and 15 minutes' drive from Taiyuan South Railway Station. (Opened: 2024; Rooms: 308)

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Mount Wutai

Mount Wutai

Wutai Mount Marriott Hotel

Located in the highly acclaimed Mount Wutai Area in Xinzhou, Wutai Mountain Marriott Hotel boasts guestrooms that feature breathtaking views of Mount Wutai and a variety of facilities that include an indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour gym center, KTV rooms and more. Enjoy a medley of local and international culinary delights at its restaurants and lounge. (Opened: 2016; Rooms: 256)

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Datong

Datong

Yungang

Conveniently located just 8km from Datong South Railway Station and 14km from Datong Yungang Airport, the Datong Yungang Hotel is a perfect base for exploring attractions in the vicinity such as the Yungang Grottoes. (Opened: 2022; Rooms: 484)

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