D1 Beijing--Pingyao

Our Beijing driver will take you to Beijing train station to catch your train to Pingyao. It takes around 4 hours. Once you arrive, our local guide will meet at the exit of the station. Two Days Pingyao Tour includes following activities:

                     

The first spot is Qiao Family Courtyard. It is a courtyard house located in Qi County, northeast of Pingyao Ancient County. It is the residential compound of well-known financier Qiao Zhiyong(???,1818—1907), who was the most famous member of the Qiao family. Construction began in 1756 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing Dynasty and was completed sometime in the 18th century. The estate covers 9000 square meters and has 313 rooms with 4000 square meters within 6 large courtyards and 19 smaller courtyards. Architects consider it to be one of the finest remaining examples of imposing private residences in northern China. It has been converted into a museum and has many period furnishings.

After visiting Qiao Family Courtyard, drive to your hotel in Pingyao directly and check-in.

In the late afternoon, visit the Ancient Wall of Pingyao City. The wall is 6,400 meters long and is considered one of the four best-preserved city walls in China and, after Ming and Qing Dynasty repair work, it has kept its original design and structure. The city is laid out in a square pattern with walls about 12 meters high. The outer facing is brick, and there are battlements and a moat, four meters wide and deep.

The last stop is Mingqing Street. Mingqing Street is located on Pingyao county’s central axis. Stores from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties are well preserved on the street. The street is the most prosperous business center in Pingyao. On either side of the 400-meter-long street lie 78 stores, including draft banks, pawn shops, drug stores, groceries, butcher shops and clothing shops.

After the tour, drive you back to your hotel in Pingyao.

D2 Pingyao --Beijing

After breakfast, you will visit the Armed Escort Company Museum. Founded in 1885, It is the only private organization of armed escort in Pingyao's history and one of two most famous during the Ming and Qing dynasty, was found in 1885. And now is a museum offers an eye-opening insight into the significant role played by armed escorts in promoting commerce. The economic boom under the Ming and Qing dynasties meant a lot of cash moving from one area to the next. To avoid thieving hands, Pingyao's wise and thoughtful merchants left their cash passed all the way safely in the professional hands of the security company.

The last stop in Pingyao is County Government Office. Located to the southwest of Pingyao Ancient City center on Yamen Street, Ancient Government Office is the largest and best-preserved existing ancient county government office in China. Pingyao Ancient Government Office dates back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). One can learn of the bureaucratic culture of Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1912) from its architecture, plaques, and couplets.

At the end of the tour, you are transferred to Pingyao Ancient City Railway Station for the 4-hour afternoon high speed train back to Beijing. You will be transfer back to your hotel once you arrive.

Price Per Person in US Dollars