3 Days Pingyao Tour from Taiyuan - Jinci Temple & Pingyao Ancient City

Welcome to Taiyuan, the city most adept at consuming vinegar & the biggist city in Shanxi. Upon arrival this morning, your guide will meet you and escort you to Jinci Temple before head to Qiao Family Compound, then reach Pingyao for overnight. It is about 80 km from Taiyuan to Pingyao.

Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi province, has over 2,500 years of city-building history and is an important historical and cultural city in northern China. Taiyuan's vinegar culture, noodle culture, and more are unique cultural symbols of the city. You can taste authentic Shanxi noodles and vinegar-based delicacies in Taiyuan, such as knife-cut noodles, ear-shaped noodles, fried millet noodles, and more. As a transportation hub of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan has a well-developed transportation network, with easy access to and from the city.

You may have seen the movie "Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame《狄仁杰之通天帝国》", which gives you some insight into Detective Dee (狄仁杰) who was a famous politician (during the period of Empress Wu Zetian武则天) and detective in the Tang Dynasty. Detective Dee’s hometown is in Taiyuan, and today, there is a street related to Detective Dee in Taiyuan called Dilian Palace Street狄梁公街 (Digongci Street狄公祠街). His former residence is located in the Xiaodian District of Taiyuan, carrying the life and deeds of Detective Dee.

In the morning, you can hike 1 km through Jinci Park (sightseeing bus; Self-pay) to reach Jinci Temple to get close to the relics remaining by time. Jinci is not only the earliest and largest imperial sacrificial classical garden in China, but also the only existing imperial ancestral temple, and a national first-class museum, renowned as the Museum of Ancient Chinese Architecture. At Jinci, you can see ancient buildings from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties coexist in harmony with the 3,000 years old tree from the Zhou Dynasty, with over a hundred structures such as halls, pavilions, towers, pavilions, platforms, bridges, and belvederes, blending ancient architectural art and garden aesthetics.

"Not visiting Jinci is a wasted trip to Taiyuan." Jinci, the only temple named after a state, was built to commemorate Tang Shuyu (唐叔虞), the founding ancestor of the Jin state (晋国). Tang Shuyu, the brother of Emperor Zhou Chengwang (周成王) of the Western Zhou Dynasty, was enfeoffed in Tang (剪桐封弟), and his son Xie (燮) later changed the state name from Tang to Jin, becoming one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 476 BC). Tang Shuyu's father was the renowned Emperor Zhou Wuwang (周武王) of the Zhou Dynasty. Today, the main hall of Jinci, the Hall of the Holy Mother, commemorates Tang Shuyu's mother, Yi Jiang (邑姜), who was also the queen of Emperor Zhou Wuwang & the daughter of Jiang Ziya (姜子牙).

When visiting Jinci, you cannot miss its "Three Uniques三绝," "Three Treasures三宝," and "Three Plaques三匾." The "Three Uniques" refer to the cypress tree from the Zhou Dynasty (3,000 years old)周柏, the Song Dynasty colored sculptures in the Hall of the Holy Mother (over 1,000 years old)圣母殿宋代彩塑, and the Nanyao Spring (the source of Jinci's water)难老泉. The "Three Treasures" include the Fish Pond Flying Bridge (China's earliest water-land interchange bridge)鱼沼飞梁, the Xian Hall献殿, and the Hall of the Holy Mother (dedicated to Yi Jiang)圣母殿. The "Three Plaques" are the Shuijingtai, Duiyue, and Nanyao (水镜台、对越、难老). You will notice that the highlights of Jinci are mostly aligned along irregular axes, allowing you to experience the sense of order crafted by ancient artisans in a limited space, and the deep romantic ambiance of Chinese classical gardens.

Upon entering Jinci, you will see the Shuijingtai水镜台, a building famous for being the prototype of the small temple transformed in the 1961 animated film "Havoc in Heaven大闹天宫" where Sun Wukong and Erlang Shen compete. At the Jinrentai金人台, you can admire the iron figures representing the highest level of iron casting technology in the Song Dynasty, and perhaps spot one of the figures recast in 1913. In the Xian Hall献殿, you can experience Jin Dynasty architecture (over 800 years old), where offerings were displayed during sacrifices, uniquely combining a hall and a pavilion. Its wooden structure makes it bear weight on beams instead of walls, surrounded by lattice walls for ventilation, resembling an ancient refrigerator. Walking on the Fish Pond Flying Bridge is like walking on one of China's earliest cross-shaped ancient bridges (1,500 years old). In the Hall of the Holy Mother, the main hall of Jinci, you can admire a masterpiece of Song Dynasty architecture (over 1,000 years old), with eight wooden carved dragons in the front corridor, the earliest surviving in China. The 43 colored sculptures inside are treasures, with the main statue being the Holy Mother surrounded by 42 attendant figures. Find the statue observed by Mei Lanfang (梅兰芳, a legendary Chinese Peking opera artist) for three months, and describe it as "expressing a lifetime with every frown and smile." Remember to ask your guide to show you a photographing spot that transcends three millennia, framing the cypress from the Zhou Dynasty, the cypress from the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Hall of the Holy Mother from the Song Dynasty, and the Nanyao Spring Pavilion from the Ming Dynasty all in your view. Additionally, if you are a fan of the 1986 TV series "Journey to the West," you will discover that many scenes from the 18th episode were filmed in Jinci, Taiyuan.

In the afternoon, you will visit Qiao's Family Compound on the way to Pingyao. Qiao Family Compound (乔家大院), also named Zaizhong Tang (在中堂), built in 1756, was the residence of the famous late Qing Dynasty Shanxi merchant Qiao Zhiyong (1818-1907;晋商乔致庸). It is renowned for its exquisite brick carvings, wood carvings, stone carvings, and murals. The architecture combines the grandeur of northern buildings with the delicacy of Jiangnan architecture, earning it the reputation of "Royal Residence Visit the Forbidden City, Civilian Residence Visit the Qiao Family Compound皇家有故宫，民宅看乔家." Not only was the Qiao Family Compound a filming location for the movie "Raise the Red Lantern《大红灯笼高高挂》," but it is also an important site for studying Qing Dynasty residential architecture and Shanxi merchant culture.

In 1900, Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后) passed through Shanxi and stayed at the Qiao Family Compound, where Qiao Zhiyong generously donated 300,000 taels of silver (30万两银子) to her. In gratitude for his loyalty, the Empress Dowager rewarded him with two "Nine-Dragon Lanterns九龙灯," showcasing the wealth and status of the Qiao family, who once owned over 200 shops and businesses nationwide.

The Qiao Family Compound is a representative of Shanxi Merchant Architecture, covering an area of approximately 8,700 square meters, consisting of the Zaizhong Tang, Dexing Tang, Baoyuan Tang, Ningshou Tang, and the Qiao Family Garden (在中堂、德兴堂、保元堂、宁守堂、乔家花园). The Zaizhong Tang (在中堂) is the main attraction, comprising 6 large courtyards, 20 small courtyards, and 313 rooms, laid out symmetrically in a "囍" shape with defensive walls for high security and privacy. Three notable artifacts in the courtyard include the two "Nine-Dragon Lanterns" gifted by the Empress Dowager during her refuge, the Qiao family's treasured "Rhino Watching the Moon Mirror犀牛望月镜" (a one-ton wooden carving), and the world's earliest endoscope, the "Ten Thousand People Sphere万人球" (a mercury glass ball purchased from the United States).

The Qiao Family Compound not only served as the residence and workplace of the Qiao family but also embodied the essence of Shanxi merchant culture, witnessing the rise and glory of the Shanxi merchants. Qiao Guifa (乔贵发), the ancestor of the Qiao family, accumulated immense wealth through trade activities in Inner Mongolia (走西口). Qiao Zhiyong, as the third-generation descendant of the Qiao family, was strict in managing the household and established six family rules: no drug use, no concubinage, no mistreatment of servants, no gambling, no debauchery, and no excessive drinking. These rules not only prevented internal family conflicts but also became the secret to the Qiao family's commercial success. Walking through the Qiao Family Compound, you can deeply feel the ancient charm of the old courtyards, admire the century-old family traditions of the Qiao family, and listen to the legendary tales of the Shanxi merchants.

Arrival Ideas:
1.How to get to Taiyuan By Air: Taiyuan Wusu International Airport (太原武宿国际机场) is located about 16 km from city center and 24 km from Jinci Temple. Direct flights connect Taiyuan with major cities in China, such as Beijing (1.5h), Shanghai (2h20min), Chengdu (2h15min), Chongqing (2h15min), Kunming (3h), Hangzhou (2.5h), Xiamen (3h), etc. It's essential to check flight schedules in advance, as not all routes operate year-round.
2.How to get to Taiyuan By High-speed Train: Taiyuan South Railway Station provides high-speed trains to Beijing (2.5-3.5h), Xi'an (3-4h), Datong (2-2.5h), Pingyao (0.5h), etc. Contact us for ticket booking.

Today, you will spend full-day explore Pingyao by visiting Pingyao Ancient City, a world Heritage site.

You will enjoy a city walk in Pingyao Ancient City, a world cultural heritage site. Known as one of the “Four Best Preserved Ancient Cities in China”, Pingyao is an outstanding example of a Han Chinese city of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. With a history of over 2,700 years, the construction of Pingyao resembles a tortoise shell, symbolizing auspiciousness. With its six major city gates and towering city walls, it stands as a stronghold akin to an impregnable fortress. The city has four main streets, eight small streets, 72 winding alleys, and countless narrow lanes, resembling the patterns on a tortoise's back. You can climb the city wall from the Yingxun Gate (迎薰门) to explore this northern Chinese city that combines defensive and cultural functions.

In the 19th to early 20th centuries, Pingyao was the financial center of the entire Chinese banking industry, earning it the nickname "Little Beijing." Stepping into Pingyao, you can wander among the gray brick walls, touch the sturdy wooden doors, feel the imprints of cart tracks underfoot, and imagine the bustling activities of the Shanxi merchants who influenced the world over 100 years ago, seeking their former glory in the buildings they left behind. You can visit the County Government Office (县衙) and witness a 20-minute performance of the county magistrate presiding over a court session (free; please verify the performance schedule). As China's largest surviving county office, it houses a vast collection of cultural relics from ancient officialdom, allowing you to glimpse into the appearance of ancient government offices.

You won't want to miss visiting Rishengchang (日昇昌; 1823-1923), the first draft bank in China and the pioneer of modern Chinese banking. Its name contains four "日" characters, symbolizing business flourishing like the rising sun, witnessing the glory of Shanxi Merchant Culture. Rishengchang once had 35 branches nationwide, conducting business as far as Europe, America, Southeast Asia, and other countries, earning the reputation of "Connecting the World汇通天下." Today, Rishengchang has transformed into the Chinese Draft Bank Museum (中国票号博物馆), facing south and comprising two courtyards, the Central and Eastern yards. It is a mixed-style quadrangle courtyard, representing the most comprehensive, grand, and typical structure among Ming and Qing Dynasty Shanxi draft banks. The museum houses a wealth of material artifacts from Rishengchang, serving as sources for studying Chinese financial history. If time allows, you can also visit Xietongqing (协同庆; 1856-1913), known as the Chinese Money Shop Museum (中国钱庄博物馆), to explore what was once the largest underground treasury in China. You can walk leisurely to the Armed Escort Company Museum (中国镖局博物馆) to learn about the protection of the tangible currency and the top 10 escort companies and top 10 guards. After that, have a nice stroll on the most prosperous traditional Ming and Qing Dynasties Street, which used to be the “Wall Street of China”, taking you back to the former bustle bazaar in the old days.

Optional Show of Pingyao:
Seeing Pingyao (19:00~20:30; Closed on Mondays;《又见平遥》), a large-scale historical drama directed by Wang Chaoge王潮歌, tells the story of the late Qing Dynasty. In the ancient city of Pingyao, the boss of the Pingyao ancient draft bank, Zhao Yishuo赵易硕, spends all his money to hire 232 Armed Escorts to rescue the branch manager Wang of the Russian branch. It takes you on a journey to appreciate the richness of Shanxi merchant culture and the depth of history.

Today, you will visit Shuanglin Temple (6 km away) for its art of painted sculptures. Then, head back to Pingyao via a stop at the Zhangbi Ancient Castle, a unique village hidden deep in the mountains. 

In the morning, you can pay a visit to Shuanglin Temple from Pingyao Ancient City. The Shuanglin Temple, with a history of over 1,400 years, is hailed as the "Treasury of Eastern Painted Sculpture Art东方彩塑艺术的宝库." The temple houses over 2,000 painted sculptures from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, constituting one-sixth of Shanxi's extant painted sculptures. Among them, the Thousand Buddha Hall (千佛殿) stands out, adorned with over 500 painted sculptures, with the most famous Skanda statue (韦驮像) acclaimed as the "crown of Skanda statues in China 全国韦驮之冠." Additionally, the statue of Avalokitesvara (自在观音像) in the hall is equally exquisite, showcasing graceful lines and a beautiful figure. The statue of the Thousand-armed, Thousand-eyed Avalokitesvara (千手千眼观音像) in the Bodhisattva Hall (菩萨殿) is also worth seeing, with its 26 pairs of skillfully crafted arms, each hand displaying different gestures and holding various Buddhist implements.

Stepping into the Shuanglin Temple, the well-preserved Ming Dynasty architecture stands tall and imposing, with a layout that is both intricate and harmonious. As you wander through, you can admire exquisitely painted sculptures, ancient trees of the Tang Dynasty, elegant stone tablets of the Song Dynasty, resonant bells of the Ming Dynasty, and vibrant murals, evoking an experience akin to being in a Buddhist paradise. The Chiwen on the temple's roof, made of yellow, green, and blue glazed tiles, display a magnificent and exaggerated form, adding an air of mystery and solemnity to this ancient temple.

Then, head to visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle (张壁古堡), the "Number One Astrology Village in the World天下第一星象村". It is named after two constellations: Zhang and Bi (张宿和壁宿). It is said that entering Zhangbi Ancient Castle is like stepping into the midst of a constellation. Zhangbi Ancient Castle is hailed as "It is a city both above ground & below ground (地上一座城，地下一座城)," and is one of the best-preserved ancient miniature castles in China, integrating military, residential, production, astrology, and religious activities, covering an area of only 0.12 square kilometers. It was built 1,600 years ago as a military fortress and features an extensive underground tunnel system (about 10 km) to escape warfare. The tunnels are equipped with traps, communication passages, observation holes, ambush routes, drainage outlets, and more.

The numerous temples within Zhangbi Ancient Castle are also a major highlight. There are 16 temples, including the Zhenwu Hall, Erlang Temple, Guandi Temple, and more, most of which are built on the city walls, adding to their unique charm. Located in Jiexiu, known as the "Hometown of Colored Glaze Art琉璃艺术之乡," the roofs of Zhangbi Ancient Castle display stunning colored glaze ridge animals, with flying dragons, dancing phoenixes, running beasts, blooming peonies, and stoic warriors, shining brightly after centuries of history.

At last, it is time to end your 3 Days Shanxi Tour. Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your China Tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to Asia. Safe journey!

Extension Ideas:
1.If you wish to extend your trip and explore other highlighted parts of Shanxi, such as Datong, Pingyao, Mount Wutaishan, Taiyuan and more, we can help you with the arrangements.
2.If you plan to continue your exploration to other cities in China, such as Beijing, Luoyang, Xian, Chengdu, Chongqing and Shanghai, please feel free to let us know. We can customize your itinerary and assist you with travel arrangements.