2 Days Private Pingyao Ancient City Tour

Your guide and the driver will wait for you at Pingyao Railway Station, and they’ll then escort you in an air-conditioned private car to your guesthouse within the Pingyao Ancient City. After that, your 2 days Pingyao tour package will begin with a visit to the well-preserved Ancient City. A local saying goes, “Entering Pingyao, silver and gold ingots trip people up,” showcasing Pingyao’s significance as a once important financial center. After the Great Wall was constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD), troops were stationed at the borders to defend against nomadic tribes from the north. To ease logistical challenges, the government encouraged merchants to transport grain in exchange for the rights to sell highly profitable salt, and that was how Pingyao merchants made their first fortune. Subsequently, they expanded their commercial ventures by trading with the Mongols and developing a tea trade route to Europe. 

 Warm Reminder: Your guide will later accompany you to explore key sites that recreate Pingyao’s historical past and glorious days. Since private vehicles are prohibited from entering Pingyao Ancient City, we’ll arrange an electric car for you instead. However, in some core areas and major attractions, only walking is permitted, so please wear comfy shoes for a 3-to-4-hour walking tour.Let’s ascend the ancient City Wall for an unparalleled panoramic view, revealing the town’s unique layout resembling a massive turtle shell. Get down from the wall and stroll along the Ming and Qing Dynasties Street, which was and still is the busiest block in the ancient city. Traditional shops with gray tiles and uniquely-shaped banners will tempt you to slow your pace, not to mention the dazzling lacquerware handicrafts, diverse paper cuts, and enticing aroma of Pingyao Beef. Continue southeastward to the City God Temple, dedicated to local deities of land, wealth, and kitchen, as traditional worship held that gods existed in all aspects of daily life. Admire the giant mural that vividly depicts the Land God’s inspection tour, as well as the cleverly designed theatrical stage. Our next stop is the Ancient Government Office, where you can glimpse the work and living conditions of the ancient county magistrate, along with some cruel instruments of torture used in that era. 

Next, we’ll proceed to the Rishengchang Former Bank, whose visionary manager established the draft system, greatly promoting business operations and currency circulation throughout China in the 1900s. To maintain its good reputation, the head bank enforced strict hiring standards, which included avoiding family connections and evaluating the virtues of applicants’ three generations. You can understand how draft banks operated through some ancient ledgers, seals and bills with detailed explanations by your guide. Later, let’s step into the Tongxinggong Escort Agency, which combines modern security and logistics, primarily serving to transport goods and silver while ensuring the safety of merchants and their families. Barbed wire and secret vaults will reveal how they prevented theft before transportation, and unicycle carts and weapons will unveil the staff’s harsh working conditions. Today’s itinerary will end here, and your guide and the driver will escort you back to your guesthouse for rest.

★ Stay Overnight in a Traditional Quadrangle Courtyard

We’ve specially selected this guesthouse for you, which is transformed from a 300-plus-year-old residence of a prominent family in the draft note business. You’ll experience staying in a quaint quadrangle courtyard room, equipped with a local brick bed, handcrafted furniture, and also a modern bathroom and other necessary facilities. Please note that the brick bed may be a little hard for you, but nothing compares to this authentic experience!

Accommodation: Yide Guest House