Pingyao Old Town Highlights Walking Day Tour

Highlights Itinerary Inclusions/Exclusions Important Info

Highlights

A world away from China’s super-sized modern cities, Pingyao is a welcome and refreshing change. With its history reflecting China’s strong commercial pedigree, in Pingyao, visitors can marvel at the business and administrative ingenuity that evolved here. Evident in trade, banking, government and defense, the foundations still hold true today. Glimpse back centuries into the lifestyle of prosperous leading families who drove business, when visiting the Wang Family home, which was the background to the beautiful film Raise the Red Lantern.

Vehicle	Sight-seeing battery car is included
Guide Service & Language	Professional English-speaking guide

Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Your private guide will meet you in your hotel lobby to begin exploration of the ancient town. First stop will be the famous Rishengchang Former Bank, known as the precedent of modern Chinese banks. As the first and largest bank in ancient China, its branches were distributed throughout the whole country and even in some western and south eastern countries. Learn from your guide the stories of the bank’s development and ancient operating system. The bustling heart of commerce of Pingyao continues in Ming Qing Street much as it has for 200 years. Check out the hidden gems of these legendary old business as well as the various Ming and Qing style residences and shops as you stroll the cobbled streets.

At the Tongxinggong Escort Agency, which served as an ancient security firm for protecting businesses and individuals trading valuables, you’ll gain an appreciation of the necessity for such a service. The organization maintains characteristics of escort: vehicles, cases, equipment and a field for martial arts.

The importance of Pingyao as a major center can be seen in the nature of administrative functions that continue today. Pingyao County Government Museum is honored as the largest existing intact ancient county government in China, carrying the responsibilities and authority of every official department. Depending on the schedule, you may have a chance to enjoy a court trial performance.

The Ancient City Wall, built to defend the old city, covers a distance of 7 km (4.4 miles). Walk the wall with your guide to discover the comprehensive defensive system and enjoy the panoramic view of the ancient town. Relax in the sight-seeing battery car during your journey back to your hotel.

Inclusions / Exclusions

Inclusions

Admission fees: to sightseeing spots & activities specified.
Activities specified in the itinerary.
Excellent professional English-speaking guide.
Sight-seeing battery car for hotel pick up and drop off.
Travel Agency Liability Insurance during the tour.
Government taxes & fees.

Exclusions

International/domestic flights and trains to/from Pingyao.
China visa.
Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of personal nature.
Hotel accommodation.
Meals: Meals are excluded. Your guide will make recommendations and order for you, if required.
Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.

Important Information

This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. No other travelers will join you. It’s always available for your schedule!
Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Prices based on twin occupancy.
The prices shown above are not valid during China’s Official Holidays (such as National Day and Chinese Spring Festival etc.).

Prices Start From

$86+PP
USD

Select Tour Options

Small Group

Private Tour

Adults

123455+

Children

0123455+

Infants

0123455+

Dennis Yip wrote a review Written 3 November 2024

Singapore

Exceptional Experience with ChinaTours!

We recently booked a private family vacation with ChinaTours.com for a week-long adventure in Xi'an and Luoyang, and it was nothing short of exceptional! The itinerary was perfectly crafted, allowing sufficient time to explore the iconic sites like the Terracotta Warriors and the breathtaking Longmen Grottoes and many more. Kudos to Ms. Lora of ChinaTours, everything was tailored to our interests, allowing us to explore hidden gems and local favourites. Our English-speaking guides, Felix (方洪杰) for Xi'an & Shirley (周丹丹) for Luoyang, were very knowledgeable and engaging, making history come alive for us. They were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about their cities, sharing stories and insights that enriched our experience beyond the typical tourist narratives. We had the opportunity to witness a few spectacular and mesmerizing cultural and historical performances at a grandeur scale, which added a personal touch to our understanding of the culture and history. The guides were very accommodating in the dining options, which allowed us to savour the delicious local cuisines of the Shaanxi and Henan provinces. The seamless transportation via the minivan and high-speed trains added to our travel experience, making everything relaxing and stress-free. ChinaTours truly thought of everything to ensure our family had an unforgettable trip in China. We highly recommend ChinaTours to anyone looking for a seamless and memorable visit to China!

Date of experience: Oct 2024 • Family
Excursion06754325819 wrote a review Written 31 October 2024

Perfect trip in every way

This was a perfect trip in every way. Beautiful hotels, wonderful guides and drivers, sightseeing with explanations! I chose a private tour and the entire 3 week trip was exceptional . The itinerary was adjusted due to weather or unique museums exhibitions! All the hotels were excellent - clean ,modern and great locations with breakfast. New cars and excellent drivers. China Tours is my first choice as an exceptional tour company. They are number one! Very personalize travel , attention to detail and available 24/7. I will rebook with them!

Date of experience: Oct 2024 • Solo
Robert N wrote a review Written 28 October 2024

China Tours review

If you’re going to China on a vacation, China Tours is the Company you must go with. Their tour guides are knowledgeable, efficient, courteous, and giving. The itinerary we chose was amazing and we were guided through the entire trip by these wonderful tour guides. They were always on time and greeted you with a smile. Once again, I highly recommend China Tours.😊👍😁🤩

Date of experience: Oct 2024 • Friends
norm T wrote a review Written 28 October 2024

China trip dated August 27, – September 16, 2024, seven cities in 3 weeks

China Tours did an excellent job of accommodating and coordinating the necessary paperwork, tickets, guides, setting up WeChat for direct communications such that I could communicate with my guides prior to my arrival, etc. for me to enjoy a relaxing adventure filled with new information. Regarding the guides, each one is very special, they are open to questions. Willing to adjust schedules, share personal information that we can compare to my western experience. Have a sense of humor about them, explain changes that need to be made, and each shares a perspective of China and its 5,000-year-old history and how it is a nation of tribes that work together resulting amazing functional society with the most sophisticated infrastructure the world has ever seen. China can be proud of each guide; each is an asset for changing the wests perspective and embracing all that China is doing to improve the world. I congratulate each of you for your dedication and work ethic to make my experience one I will always appreciate.

Date of experience: Aug 2024 • Solo
deblau59 wrote a review 26 October 2024

Fantastic Trip Down Memory Lane

Excellent Taiwan tour from China Travels. We found this company on the web and was super pleased with the communications and arrangements through Martha. I was traveling with my sister and 10 friends who had previously lived in Taiwan so we wanted to revisit our childhood. We started in Taipei, then went to Sun Moon Lake, Alishan and Tainan. Taroko Gorge was on our list due to the earthquake damage from last year, we changed places. Our tour guide, Cathy Lin, was great as she added some activities and places to our itinerary that were hidden gems. Very responsive to our needs throughout the tour. My friends were super pleased with the trip. Highly recommend for future travel arrangements.

Date of experience: Oct 2024 • Friends
kraig l wrote a review 7 October 2024

A Day in Xi’an with Cathy

I really enjoyed my recent private tour with China Tours! I remembered I took a China Tours about 13 years ago in Beijing and since I had a long weekend during a recent business trip, I decided to take the chance on them again and booked on-line. Working with Martha via email on short notice and right before the National Holiday, she was able to arrange a 1-day private trip for me to the Terracotta Warriors, Mosque, and the Xi'an Wall with Cathy K. as my tour guide. Even before my tour began, Cathy reached out to me and gave suggested a few sites to visit in the city the afternoon I arrived.
Morning of, pick up time was confirmed via WeChat and Cathy picked me up in a nice minivan and was escorted all day by a VERY knowledgeable tour guide in Cathy. She knew the tour well, the sites visited and their history, shared many welcoming stories and information. Her English was almost perfect and welcoming after a long business trip. More importantly, she knew her city well and made several great food recommendations - local lunch was amazing and so were the pomegranates! She even helped me purchase some jade necklaces as gifts.
Although it rained all day long, Cathy kept the tour upbeat and engaging - cannot say that about my sneakers that did not make the trip home.
The next day, Cathy went the extra mile by making sure I made it to the airport and my flight chatting me Chinese phrases for both the taxi driver and check in counter to ensure if needed I would not miss my flight.
I would like to give a BIG "XIE XIE" to CATHY K - an outstanding tour guide (and food connoisseur)! I very much enjoyed my day (wishing I had longer) and look forward to my return and another China Tours tour with hopefully Cathy K again.

Date of experience: Sept 2024 • Solo