Beijing - Taiyuan - Pingyao

Early in the morning transfer to the airport and flight to Taiyuan which is the Capital of Shanxi province. Pick-up by our local guide and transfer to the Jinci Temple, which is one of the most beautiful temples in the area. On the way we watch in the coach the movie “Raise the Red Lantern” by Zhang Yimou. It’s the story of the wives of a wealthy Chinese businessman who marries his 4th wife whose behavior in the house ends in a drama. The movie is set in the huge Jiao courtyard, which we will visit on the way to Pingyao.
In the later afternoon we arrive at the old Ming Town of Pingyao. Pingyao is situated in the province of Shanxi and has the longest, still complete city wall from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in China. Whoever passes the gate into the city, seems to enter a different world; a world offering the visitor this typical China feeling which cannot be found in large cities anymore.
Until the end of the 19th century, Pingyao and Shanxi were the economical center of China. With banks, money transports and impressive courtyard estates, the visitors can estimate how wealthy the city used to be. Pingyao is an absolute "must" to be visited when being in the province of Shanxi.
Arrived in Pingyao we check-in and after a short relaxation time go for a dinner. In the evening you can stroll in the old town and suck up the feeling of old China.