5-Day Shanxi Family Tour: Datong, the Hanging Temple & Pingyao

Morning — Yungang Grottoes
Explore the Yungang Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of more than 45 major caves carved with 5th-century Buddhist figures. Begun in the Northern Wei Dynasty, the caves hold tens of thousands of statues. The 17-meter Buddha of Cave 5 embodies the dynasty's devotion, and the intricate apsara (celestial nymph) reliefs are among the finest carvings on site.

Afternoon — Hanging Temple
Visit the Hanging Temple, a roughly 1,500-year-old wooden structure clinging to the cliffs of Mount Heng. Walking its narrow walkways, you find statues of Laozi, Confucius, and Sakyamuni coexisting under one roof — a rare reflection of China's three great traditions.

Evening — Datong Ancient City Wall
End the day at the Datong Ancient City Wall, whose illuminated Ming-era ramparts glow after dark. Archery demonstrations add a lively note to the evening.

Morning — Nine Dragon Screen & Shanhua Temple
Visit the Nine Dragon Screen, a 45-meter-long Ming Dynasty wall of glazed tiles depicting nine vivid dragons, long regarded as a symbol of imperial power. Compare it with Beijing's smaller counterpart before continuing to Shanhua Temple, a Liao Dynasty temple known for rare Khitan-era murals and finely carved wooden Buddha statues.

Afternoon — Datong Museum
Spend free time exploring the Datong Museum, whose exhibits trace Silk Road trade and the art of the Northern Wei Dynasty, shedding light on the city's importance as an early imperial capital.

Evening — Shanxi Opera Show
Attend a Shanxi Opera show, featuring traditional folk performances by face-painted actors. The vivid costumes and stylized singing offer a lively introduction to a regional opera tradition.

Morning — High-Speed Train to Pingyao
Board a high-speed train to Pingyao, traveling through the landscapes of Shanxi on your way to one of China's best-preserved ancient towns.

Afternoon — Pingyao Ancient Town
Explore Pingyao Ancient Town, a UNESCO-listed 14th-century trading hub whose walls, lanes, and courtyard houses survive largely intact. Walk the cobblestone streets to Rishengchang Draft Bank, founded in 1823 and regarded as China's first draft bank, and see its secret vaults. Together the buildings recall the town's days as a center of commerce and finance.

Evening — Qing Dynasty-Themed Dinner
Enjoy a Qing Dynasty-themed dinner accompanied by storytelling and folk music, a memorable way to experience the region's history and culture.

Morning — Shuanglin Temple
Visit Shuanglin Temple, a roughly 1,400-year-old temple celebrated for its more than 2,000 painted clay statues. The figures date largely to the Song Dynasty, and the Avalokitesvara with 1,000 Arms is a superb example of the craftsmanship of the period.

Afternoon — Qiao Family Compound
Explore the Qiao Family Compound, an 18th-century merchant mansion with intricate woodcarvings, brickwork, and hidden courtyards. As you walk its lanes and halls, you learn about the merchant culture of Shanxi and the Jin business tradition that produced some of China's wealthiest trading families.

Evening — Free Time in Pingyao
Enjoy free time to shop for local lacquerware or attend a traditional shadow puppet show. The evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Morning — The City Wall and Rishengchang
Start early with a walk on Pingyao's city wall, the most complete Ming-era fortification in China, with the whole old town spread below in a grid of grey tiles and red lanterns. Then visit Rishengchang, the draft bank that became the first clearing house of Chinese finance.

Afternoon — The Wang Family Manor
Drive to the Wang Family Manor in Lingshi county, often called the private Forbidden City for its scale: 56 courtyards, more than a thousand rooms, and ornament on every surface — the accumulated wealth of a Shanxi merchant clan made architectural.

Evening — Shanxi Dinner and Courtyard Theatre
Back in Pingyao for a Shanxi dinner, then settle into the courtyard theatre for an authentic local performance.

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included.