Peaceful Pingyao 5 days / 4 nights From HKD 9,500 Taiyuan – Pingyao Looking for a peaceful getaway? Why not let us guide you around the peaceful premise of Pingyao over 5 days and 4 nights. Peruse one of the best walled cities in the world, explore old town which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a town standing the test of time for over 2500 years. Walk around the Wang Family Courtyard and then the Qiao Family Courtyard; compare the two locally famous compounds that house many beautiful carvings and treasures from the Qing and Ming dynasty. Relax and enjoy this peaceful paradise while chewing on some famous Pingyao beef in this incredibly wonderful city. G.C. Nanda & Sons Ltd. T - 2522 3137 / 2522 4228 www.nandatravel.com Lic 350558 Day 1 – Hong Kong – Taiyuan – Pingyao Depart Hong Kong via flight MU 5090 at 1250hrs and arrive in Taiyuan at 1525hrs. Enjoy your meet and greet prior to your hotel transfer to Pingyao. Day 2 – Pingyao Welcome to one of the best walled cities in the world whose old town is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This incredible city was established over 2500 years ago during the Western Zhuo dynasty (827-782 BC). The City Walls were originally constructed from tamped dirt, a stark contrast to the now brick and stone design that began in 1370. The city walls are somewhat shaped like a tortoise, City Walls the Chinese character for which represents longevity. Enjoy starting your day by checking out the 72 watch towers scattered along these old walls. Old Town is a walled city stretching across 2.6 sq. kilometres, mostly off limit to cards, a great area to walk around. The cobbled streets and wonderful buildings originate from the Ming Old Town (1368 – 1644 BC) and Qing (1644 – 1911) dynasty, this peaceful environment is relatively unknown to most foreigners. This Ancient City is great to walk around due to the peaceful setting, many shops are catered towards tourists, antiques, handicrafts and cloth shoes are a few of the many different products openly displayed. The city has a large lacquer ware manufacturing industry and Ancient City is known for her cloth shoes. Be sure to make a note of Pingyao’s specialty, Pingyao Beef, an acquired taste, strong and somewhat similar to corned beef. Be aware that bills of ¥100 or more are not uncommon for a meal that appeared less expensive, we recommend asking about the price of any chef’s specials as the price difference varies significantly from place to place. Pingyao Beef Another area worth investigating is Ming-Qing Street, named after the dynasties, the main commercial avenue in the city since her inception. Discover the hundreds of shops that line this busy place, various traditional outlets that sell snacks, food, paintings, furniture, calligraphy and souvenirs all create a bustling atmosphere. Rishengchang Exchange House has an interesting story, in the past, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shanxi merchants has developed intricate trade routes within China and abroad, Pingyao was at the center of trade. Traders would pay for goods with silver coins; it was not a safe time if you were a merchant due to the precarious nature of carrying goods Rishengchang Exchange House or coins from city to city. In 1823 the first piaohao (exchange house) opened up providing accepted deposits, remittance services and loans among other services. Rishengchang (Sunrise Prosperity) was the first exchange house that established branches in various cities across China. This fuelled Pingyao to become the centre of the nation’s banking industry. Day 3 – Pingyao After having seen much of the city’s history yesterday, today will be more focused on the peaceful aspects of the area, starting with the Wang Family Courtyard. Located near Lingshi Town, there are over 50 courtyards and 1000 rooms to explore in this immense compound, one of the largest residential complexes built by Shanxi merchants. Beautiful carvings can be found, stone, brick and wood designs are in abundance here. Paintings, calligraphy and Qing dynasty furniture are also housed here; all can be peacefully enjoyed while learning of the family that used this place since the 1600s. After having seen all you wish at the courtyard, head over to Shuanglin Temple, located about 7km southwest of Pingyao Ancient City. Over 2000 wonderful sculptures depicting warriors, gods and Buddha are housed in this interestingly designed Buddhist temple Wang Family Courtyard complex. Founded over 1500 years ago during the Northern Wei dynasty (368 – 534), the ten halls arranged around three courtyards come from the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911). The main attraction is the impressive collection of over 2000 terracotta and wood sculptures. Day 4 – Pingyao – Taiyuan We recommend a hearty morning meal today as you will be transferred to Taiyuan shortly Shuanglin Temple after. On the way to your new hotel stop by the Qiao Family Courtyard, you will notice that it is only about a quarter the size of the Wang Family Courtyard that you visited yesterday. Film fans may notice this place at being from Raise the Red Lantern, a film set in the 1920s starring the incredible Gong Li. Construction began in 1756 and was finished in the 18th century, the courtyard covers over 9000 Qiao Family Courtyard square meters and houses over 300 rooms. Considered by many architects to be one of the finest examples of great private residences northern China. We saved the best for last, head over to Shanxi’s most famous temple complex, located 25 km southwest of Taiyuan, standing tall at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain near the Jin Springs; Jinci Temple. Founded almost 1,400 years ago this incredibly aged complex contains over 100 sculptures, terraces, bridges and buildings. Be sure to visit the Hall of the Holy Mother where you will find the best known structure, constructed in 1032. Notice the impressive carved wooden dragons that coil around the eight lucky pillars the support the upward-curving double-eave roof. A classical garden with a 3,000 year old cypress from the Zhou dynasty can be enjoyed too. Jinci Temple Day 5 – Taiyuan – Hong Kong Be sure to set your alarm clock for your morning transfer to the airport, depart Taiyuan at 0900hrs via MU5089 and arrive back in Hong Kong at 1150hrs. Services included: - Economy class round-trip tickets for Hong Kong to Taiyuan and Taiyuan to Hong Kong. - 4 Nights’ accommodation with daily ABF at the hotels specified. - 1 Dinner and 3 lunches at the local Chinese restaurants (inclusive of 1 glass of soft drinks per person per meal). - Transfers and sightseeing tours provided by private car / coach with local English speaking guide. - Entrance ticket to all the scenic spots in the itinerary. Services not included: - Meals not mentioned. - Visa and insurance. - Tips and expenses of a personal nature (e.g.: laundry, phone bills, tipping etc.). - Anything else not mentioned in the Services Included section. .