Datong

 
 Day by Day Itinerary

Departure: Daily 
 
Day 01: Datong
Visit the well-known Hanging Temple, which hovers between cliffs and over deep gully. The distance between the top and the bottom is over 50 meters. The three sides of the temple are surrounded by covered corridor, six palaces and cabinets hovers in mind airs. The wood stairs go through with each other. There are more than 70 Buddha in the temple, which is sculptured by mud and is reserved well now. The next destination is to visit the most ancient and highest architecture of pagoda style reserved well at home and abroad. What is most surprising is that the construction of the whole pagoda mainly depends on the combination of blocks inserted between the top of a column and a crossbeam, columniation and girder without any nails and rivets. It remains still though it came across the earthquake for eight times.

 
Day 02: Datong
Visit one of the largest rock caves - Yungang Rock Cave, which is as famous as Longmen and Dunhuang Rock Cave. It has 53 caverns and over 5,1000 stone carvings. All of Yungang Rock Stone is dug besides mountains. Among theses, the most representative is 6 Rock Cave, which is sculptured the series of stories of Buddha. The three Buddha in the back of 5 Rock Cave is the largest Buddha within rock cave. The sculpture of Yungang Rock Cave absorbs and learns from the Buddha arts of India. Meanwhile, it combines them with China's traditional arts and is the world renowned art mine, playing an important role in the history of world sculpture. 

 
 Day by Day Itinerary

Departure: Daily 
 
Day 01: Arrival in Datong

 
 Day by Day Itinerary

Departure: Daily 
 
Day 01: Arrival in Datong
Arrive in Datong and get prepared. Stay overnight at the local hotel.

 
Day 02: Datong - Wutaishan
Visit the Yungang Grottoes. Built against the Wuzhou Mountain, the grottoes extend for almost a mile east to west. The 53 grottoes include some 1,000 niches with about 51,000 statues - a treasure-trove of cave art that combines traditional Chinese forms with foreign influences, particularly Greek and Indian. Sculptures here are noted for their vigorous features and a rich variety of sizes that range from the smallest, only .75 in. high, to the tallest - a Buddha 56 ft. high. Halfway through the Jinlong Valley lies the Hanging Temple of Wutaishan, another unforgettable historical place of interest. Situated against steep rock and facing a high valley, the temple literally hangs on the west cliff of Jinxia Gorge, more than 165 ft. off the ground. This type of structure is rarely seen in Chinese architecture, and is in fact, the only wood building built on a cliff in China. The Hanging Temple was built during the North Wei Dynasty and was renovated in the dynasties of Tang, Jin, Ming and Qing. It is the most amazing sight on the Hengshan Mountain.

 
Day 03: Wutaishan - Taiyuan
Today you will visit Mt. Wutaishan, one of the most sacred Buddhist Mountains in China. The Five Terrace Mountain (Wutaishan) is a quiet area that, despite recent tourist infiltration, still retains its Buddhist roots. With an alpine-esque atmosphere of dense forests and scattered snow capped peaks, the mountain is known for its purity in the form of clean streams, including the aptly named Clear Water River (Qingshuihe), and a piety of Buddhist thought. Choose from a variety of activities in and around the mountain, including hiking and visiting the City of Temples. In the afternoon you will be transferred to Taiyuan (4 hours. drive).

 
Day 04: Taiyuan - Pingyao
Drive approximately 4 hours to Pingyao, a small town located 62 miles south of Taiyuan, whose history goes back 2700 years. En route to Pingyao, visit the Jin Ci Temple. Located just outside of Taiyuan city, the temple is a combination of historical and cultural relics mixed with beautiful landscapes. Take some time to stroll around the temple halls and observe the many figures that it houses. All of this, together with the Flying Bridge across the Fish Pond (an architectural wonder of its time), provide evidence of a new era in Chinese architecture. Built in the Ming Dynasty, Pingyao is one of the few towns left in China that is still encircled by original Ming Dynasty walls. Most of the buildings in this town date from the Qing Dynasty, when Pingyao was at its most prosperous point. Because of the remarkable state of the city’s preservation, and its importance as the city in which banking in China originated in the 19th century, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 
Day 05: Pingyao
Today you'll walk along the ancient city wall, which is marked with a watchtower every 50 meters (164 ft). Visit several of the ancient courtyards and a complex of old private houses that have been converted into museums exhibiting their collection of art and furniture. In addition to appreciating the ancient architecture, you will learn about how banking started in China over a century ago in this very city. Of particular interest is the Qing Dynasty Yamen, or county magistrate's complex. Today's pace is leisurely, allowing you to absorb the atmosphere of the buildings and the relaxed way of local life. 

 
Day 06: Pingyao - Jingsheng - Taiyuan
In the morning, head about 4.5 miles south of town to the 1,300 year old Shuanglin Temple, which houses over 2,000 Buddhist terracotta sculptures. Travel a few more miles to the Zhenguo Temple, the only existing Buddhist complex dating back to the Five Dynasties Period. After lunch, continue the drive to Jingsheng Village in Lingshi County. Jingsheng has a quaint and unique charm, and is famous for its well-preserved Qing Dynasty architecture and a heritage of wealthy bankers that inhabited the area. The main attraction of the village is the Wang Residence, the former living quarters of a prosperous local family. Spend about two hours wandering around this enormous but little known mansion, exploring its many nooks and crannies. Return to Taiyuan.

 
Day 07: Departure from Taiyuan
Leave Taiyuan according to your schedule.