5-Day Private Tour to Datong, Mount Wutai and Pingyao

tion then transfer to Yungang Grottoes, need 30 minutes driving, 16km.

around viewing more than 59,000 solemn Buddha statues made during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 - 534). Considered to be a treasure house of Buddhist arts, Yungang Grottoes took over 70 years to reach the present scale. The sculptures there integrate the superb artistry of Northern Wei and showcase the atmospheric and imperial style. You are sure to feel astonished by the magnificent scene there.

guided to Huayan Monastery to appreciate the architectural style created during the Liao Dynasty (907 - 1125). You will also see a statue of Bodhisattva with a grin on her face, which makes it stand out from the rest.

can admire not only buildings of the Liao Dynasty, but also statues of the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234) and murals of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

ty Wall and then take you back to your hotel

o Hanging Monastery, need 90 minutes driving, 84km.

It will be a thrilling experience to go along the hanging walkways to visit each hall of the temple. It is unique that the hierarchs of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism are worshiped here together.

It is the oldest wooden tower in China, which has been around for nearly 1,000 years, and not a single nail was used during its construction.

Wutai Taihuai town by a 2.5 hour drive. The guide will take you to check in a local hotel upon arrival.

Wutai, which is said to be the place where Bodhisattva Manjushri preached Buddhist doctrines. Our guide will take you to famous sites, including Bodhisattva Summit - the leading hall of the Tibetan Buddhism, Xiantong Temple - the largest and oldest temple in the area, Ten Thousand Buddha Pavilion - one of the most prosperous temple of Mt. Wutai, Tayuan Temple - housing the symbolic white stupa, Shuxiang Temple - enshrining the tallest statue of Masnjushri on the mountain, and Luohou Temple - famous for the special animation of four Buddhas appearing when a wooden lotus-shaped flower blooms.

d today we will going to visit the Ancient City of Pingyao.

As a whole, the rectangular wall resembles a tortoise, which was considered as a symbol of longevity traditionally. Ascending the wall, you could overlook the ancient city of Pingyao.

On both sides of this not very wide street, there are many buildings in ancient Chinese architecture style, which used to be firms, exchange shops and different kinds of shops like teashop, cloth shop and salt shop. Nowadays, some of them have been turned to hotels, restaurants or shops selling souvenirs while some have been preserved as attraction sites and museums.

middle of the ancient city for more than 600 years. Covering about 26,000 square meters (31,095 square yards), it includes many majestic courtyards and buildings. The Security Guard Company is also worth seeing for it is a museum which introduces the development of the ancient Chinese security guards.

Ri Sheng Chang Exchange Shop is the first money exchange shop in China as well as the founder of Chinese modern banks, which has played an important role in Chinese financial business for about one century. Tong Xing Gong was an establishment which provided private escort service for the exchange shops to guard their safety during transportation.

You will be escorted to the well-known Wang Family's Compound in around 1.5 hours' ride.

years ago and Located in Lingshi County in Shanxi Province, the Wang Family's Compound is 35 kilometers (22 miles) away from Pingyao Ancient City. This luxurious residence was originally built during 1762-1811 by the descendants of the Wang Family. What makes this compound so impressive are the sheer size and gorgeous ornamental structures. It is like a mini walled city with more than 200 courtyards, each of them has its own distinctive features. The intricately carved wood doors, window casings, stairways, stone carvings, etc. could be found everywhere in the courtyards.

r temples for it still maintains its very old character. Shuanglin Temple is a peaceful, quiet and beautiful old temple. It is one of the three treasures of Pingyao, having been included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1997. Praised as the 'ancient painted sculptures museum', this temple houses as many as 2056 colorful sculptures of Chinese Buddhism reflecting the exquisite skills of the artisans of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. The sculpture of One-thousand Hand Kwan-yin is definitely the most mesmerizing.

End of the 5 days tour serives.