Shanxi - Pingyao

Pingyao 01 : 5 Days Taiyuan - Pingyao - Linfen - Yuncheng

 
Upon arrival in Taiyuan, go to Jiannan coach station (Add: South Jianshe Road, Taiyuan city; Tel: 0351-7071219) to take the coach from Taiyuan to Pingyao. There are many buses to Jiannan coach station such as bus No. 11, 23, 201, 611, 619, 801, 805, 809 etc. En route, you can get off the coach at Qiao's Compound for a visit. The Qiao's Compound is about 50 km from Taiyuan city and the driving takes about 1 hour. In the afternoon, continue to wait for the same coach to Pingyao old town. Stay overnight in a local guest house in Pingyao.

The highlight of the second day's tour will be wandering around the old town of Pingyao including the Ancient City Wall in Ming Dynasty, Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Ming and Qing Street and the Old Feudal Official. The through ticket is CNY120.00 covering around 20 scenic spots. Pingyao old town was built according to the traditional Han Chinese town planning and architectural style. Four main streets, eight narrower ones and 72 small lanes formed a neat grid. The town's dwellings were built either in the style of courtyard houses or man-made cave-houses. Old temples and shops are still scattered all over the town which bring back memories of its flourishing past. In the afternoon, hike to the Shuanglin Temple which lies in the north of Qiaotou village, about 6 km southwest of Pingyao old town. It is famous for the painted sculpture on the walls. The ticket is CNY25.00.
 

On the third day, head to Hukou Waterfall to enjoy the largest magnificent yellow waterfall in the world. You can take the train from Pingyao to Linfen which is located southwest of Shanxi province. The journey takes about two and a half hours. Upon arrival at Linfen railway station, take the bus No. 11 to Yaomiao coach station (Add: at the entrance of Qiaojiazhuang Village, South Waihuan Road, Linfen city; Tel: 0357-2512720). Then take the coach to Jixian for about 3 hours. Hukou Waterfall lies 25 km southwest of Jixian town so you should continue to take the coach there for about one and a half hours. The journey is a bit tiring but the reward is pleasing owing to the splendid waterfall scenery to both the eyes and the mind. October is the best time to visit Hukou Waterfall. But you need to bring your warm clothes with you since the temperature is quite low there. One and a half hour is enough for the visit there. Stay overnight in Jixian town.
 

On the forth day, return to Linfen city. Walk around in the city to feel the atmosphere there. Then you can take a coach or train to Yuncheng city. Yuncheng city is about 143 km from Linfen city. It is 1.5 to 2 hours by coach or 2 to 2.5 hours by train. In Yuncheng, you can hike to have a city tour to Yongle Palace, Pujiu Temple and Iron Ox of Yellow River. 
 

On the fifth day, leave according to your schedule.