10 DAYS SHANXI UNVEILED: HISTORIC ROOTS AND SCENIC PEAKS

Transfer: Airport to Hotel

Arrive in Yuncheng, a historic city in southwest Shanxi. Yuncheng was formerly known as Hedong, and one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilisation.

Transfer to your hotel to rest for the evening.

Yuncheng Highlights

Discover the underrated historic gems of Yuncheng, beginning with Yongle Palace, renowned for its stunning Yuan dynasty frescoes—some of the best-preserved and most exquisite examples of ancient Chinese mural art. After lunch, visit the Guandi Temple, one of the largest temples dedicated to Guan Yu, the revered general from the Three Kingdoms period. Finally, explore the Macun Brick Carving Tombs, home to intricate brick carving masterpieces from the Jin dynasty

Unveiling the Adventure

Begin the day with an early start for a 3-hour drive to Jincheng, where we will visit Yuhuang Temple. The temple tour includes the 28 Lunar Mansions, which highlight ancient Chinese knowledge of astrology.

Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Taihang Mountain Range from the Wangmangling Scenic Spot. Afterwards, embark on a scenic drive along the Hanging Cliff Road—a remarkable engineering marvel carved into the Taihang mountain cliffs—before exploring the rest of the Taihang Mountain Grand Canyon.

Drive to Changzhi

Make a 2-hour drive to Changzhi to visit the Guan Yin Temple to marvel at its ancient hanging sculptures: masterpieces of Chinese deities like the Eight Immortals and Guan Gong that are suspended from the ceiling. 

Baquan (8 Springs) Gorge

Explore the picturesque Baquan Gorge, 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, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of this breathtaking landscape.

Drive to Linfen

Drive for approximately two hours towards Linfen to visit the Guangsheng Temple. Here, you will find the Flying Rainbow Glass Pagoda, famous for its exquisite and exceptionally well-preserved Yuan Dynasty murals.

Hukou Waterfalls with Private Folk Dance Performance

Drive another two hours to visit Hukou Waterfalls, the largest waterfall on the Yellow River and the second largest in China. Here, we’ve arranged a private harvest-themed folk performance exclusively for our group—a uniquely Shanxi cultural dance set against the dramatic backdrop of the cascading waterfalls!

Zhangbi Ancient Castle 

Embark on a 2.5-hour drive to visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle, a remarkably well-preserved fortress with a unique underground defense system that was constructed over 1,600 years ago.

Explore Pingyao Ancient City

Pingyao Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the best-preserved ancient walled cities in China. Highlights of your visit include the Rishengchang Draft Bank and the exquisite Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. In the evening, immerse yourself in the Youjian Pingyao [又见平遥] performance, a captivating show set against the historic backdrop of Pingyao Ancient City.

Shanxi Museum

Drive 1.5 hours to Taiyuan to visit the Shanxi Museum, which houses an extensive collection of over 500,000 cultural artifacts. Highlights include valuable bronze ware, porcelain, stone carvings, and Buddhist statues, offering a deep insight into the region’s rich heritage

Drive to Mount Wutai

On the way to Mount Wutai, stop at Jinci Temple, the earliest example of a classical ancestral temple complex in China, featuring exquisite examples of ancient Chinese architecture. Afterward, continue with a 3.5-hour drive to Mount Wutai, where you’ll rest for the evening

Mount Wutai Unveiled

Tour Mount Wutai, a revered destination for Buddhist pilgrims, named after its five majestic peaks. Explore the key sacred ancient temples, 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

Sakyamuni Wooden Pagoda

Drive for 2.5 hours to visit the impressive Sakyamuni Wooden Pagoda on your way to Datong. This pagoda is one of the oldest and tallest wooden structures in China, having been built over 1,000 years ago during the Liao Dynasty. Remarkably, it has survived several major earthquakes!

Datong Highlights

Start the morning with a tour of the Hanging Monastery in the Heng Mountain area, a spectacular Taoist temple and engineering marvel built into a vertical cliff face.

After lunch, head to the Yungang Grottoes, one of China’s premier grotto sites, renowned for its extensive collection of Buddhist statues carved into the cliffs.

Finally, conclude the day with a special farewell dinner featuring a private noodle-making performance and a hands-on experience!

Depart Datong

Enjoy the morning at your leisure before departing Datong for your high-speed train back to Beijing and flight home.