11-Day Beijing • Datong • Pingyao • Xi’an Tour

Tour Highlights

• Wake Up to the Great Wall — Rise early for a Simatai sunrise and hiking experience, enjoying spectacular mountain views and the peaceful morning atmosphere around Gubei Water Town.

• Experience Beijing Like a Local — Join locals for Tai Chi at the Temple of Heaven, then explore the historic Hutongs by traditional rickshaw and discover the charm of old Beijing neighborhoods.

• Stay in Gubei Water Town — Wander through canals, stone bridges and traditional architecture beneath the Great Wall, then enjoy the beautifully illuminated town and seasonal evening performances.

• Explore Imperial Beijing — Visit Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park, including the Treasure Gallery and Nine-Dragon Screen, with panoramic views over the former imperial palace.

• Discover Ancient Buddhist Heritage — Marvel at the magnificent Yungang Grottoes, the Hanging Monastery and Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, three extraordinary treasures of northern China.

• Step into Shanxi’s Merchant History — Explore Pingyao Ancient City and Wang Family Compound, discovering the architecture, traditions and legacy of Shanxi’s wealthy merchant families.

• Become a Shanxi Banker for a Day — Enjoy a hands-on “Master of the Bank” experience, create your own traditional bank draft and learn how Shanxi merchants pioneered China’s early banking system.

• Experience Local Life in Xi’an — Visit a traditional cave-dwelling family, learn to make Chinese dumplings and try your hand at crafting a miniature Terracotta Warrior.

• Step into the Tang Dynasty — Explore Xi’an’s historic landmarks and the illuminated Great Tang All Day Mall, with an optional Hanfu dressing and photography experience.

• Meet the Terracotta Army — Encounter thousands of life-size warriors and horses and uncover the fascinating story behind one of China’s greatest archaeological discoveries.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Arrival in Beijing（/）

Upon arrival in Beijing, your English-speaking guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for leisure and recovery from your flight.

Overnight: Beijing

Day 2 | Temple of Heaven – Gubei Water Town（B,L）

Start the day with a Tai Chi experience at the Temple of Heaven, where local residents gather for their morning exercises. Continue to Gubei Water Town and enjoy lunch in the ancient water town.

In the afternoon, explore the scenic town and enjoy optional intangible cultural heritage experiences. In the evening, admire the illuminated Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall, with seasonal evening performances such as drone/light shows or Iron Flower Show, subject to the attraction's schedule.

Lunch: Gubei Water Town Feast
Overnight: Gubei Water Town

Day 3 | Simatai Sunrise – Forbidden City – Jingshan Park (B,L)

Rise early for a memorable sunrise and hiking experience at the Simatai Great Wall, enjoying the tranquil morning atmosphere and spectacular views over the surrounding mountains and Gubei Water Town.

After breakfast, return to Beijing and visit Tiananmen Square, one of the world's largest public squares, before entering the magnificent Forbidden City, the former imperial palace of China's Ming and Qing Dynasties. The visit includes the Treasure Gallery and Nine-Dragon Screen. If Forbidden City tickets are unavailable, Prince Gong's Mansion will be arranged as an alternative.

Continue to Jingshan Park and climb to the hilltop pavilion for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Forbidden City and the historic heart of Beijing.

Optional at your own expense: Acrobatic Show & Peking Duck Dinner

Lunch: Beijing Local Cuisine Lunch
Overnight: Beijing

Day 4 | Mutianyu Great Wall & Hutong Experience（B,L）

Visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the most scenic and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall. Round trip cable car or chairlift up + toboggan slide down.

In the afternoon, experience traditional Beijing life with a rickshaw tour through the historic Hutongs.

The evening is free to self explore the lively Shichahai area, known for its lakeside cafés, bars, and local atmosphere.

Lunch: Chinese-Western Buffet Lunch with Wine
Overnight: Beijing

Day 5 | Beijing – Datong by High-Speed Train（B,L）

Take a high-speed train to Datong. Upon arrival, visit the famous Nine Dragon Screen, one of the oldest and largest glazed screens in China.

Continue to the UNESCO-listed Yungang Grottoes, home to over 50,000 remarkable Buddhist sculptures carved into sandstone cliffs.

Lunch: Xianbei-Themed Feast of Datong
Overnight: Datong

Day 6 | Hanging Monastery & Yingxian Wooden Pagoda（B,L）

Today visit Hanging Temple ，dramatically built into a cliff face more than 1,500 years ago.(After taking the shuttle bus to the scenic area, view the temple built on the opposite cliff from the ground viewing platform, no access up the temple)

Continue to Yingxian Wooden Pagoda, the world's oldest and tallest surviving wooden pagoda, an architectural masterpiece dating back to the Liao Dynasty.

Lunch: Datong Sliced Noodles

Overnight: Datong

Day 7 | Datong – Pingyao Ancient City（B,L）

Visit Huayan Monastery before boarding a high-speed train to Pingyao.

Upon arrival, stroll through the beautifully preserved Pingyao Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its traditional streets and admire the atmospheric evening scenery.

Meals: Pingyao Pan-Fried Water Dumplings
Overnight: Pingyao Ancient City

Day 8 | Wang Family Compound & Pingyao Ancient City（B,L）

Travel to nearby Lingshi to visit the impressive Wang Family Compound, often called the "Forbidden City of Shanxi."

Return to Pingyao and continue exploring the ancient town. Participate in a traditional banking experience and learn about the history of China's earliest financial institutions.

Lunch:Jin Merchant Family Feast of Pingyao

Overnight: Pingyao Ancient City

Day 9 | Pingyao – Xi'an by High-Speed Train（B,L）

Travel by high-speed train to Xi'an, the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties.

Visit the Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved city fortifications in China, followed by a visit to the iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

In the evening, explore the vibrant Great Tang All Day Mall, beautifully illuminated and inspired by the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty.

Optional at your own expense: Hanfu Photography Experience

Lunch: Xi'an Roujiamo Lunch
Overnight: Xi'an

Day 10 | Terracotta Warriors & Local Cultural Experiences（B,L）

Discover the world-famous Terracotta Warriors Museum (wireless tour receiver included)

Visit a traditional cave dwelling family, learn to make Chinese dumplings, and participate in a miniature Terracotta Warrior crafting workshop.

Later, stroll through the bustling Muslim Quarter, famous for its local snacks and cultural diversity.

Optional: Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show with Imperial Banquet

Lunch: Dumpling & Farmhouse Lunch
Overnight: Xi'an

Day 11 | Departure from Xi'an（B）

Transfer to Xi'an Airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast only