Pingyao Tours

Pingyao Tours

Experience historical China on a Pingyao tour

Pingyao city is really something else in the realm of historical China. Come on one of our Pingyao tours and go back in time. Pingyao city is a destination where you can marvel at the business and administrative ingenuity that evolved from this ancient city – in trade, banking, government, and defense– that still hold value today. On a Pingyao tour, it’s entirely possible to imagine the lifestyle of prosperous leading families who drove business, when visiting their home compound that has formed the backdrop for the memorable Chinese film, Raise the Red Lantern.

Among its great appeal, Pingyao boasts one of the most complete examples of an ancient Chinese town. Within its still intact Ming and Qing dynasty City Walls, you will find a veritable treasure trove of culture, society, economy, and religion from an era long gone. It is possible to spend two or three full days exploring with a local bilingual guide on a Pingyao tour.

Our private, small group and custom Pingyao tours encompass all the must-see attractions, while also allowing ample time for relaxed ambling through the narrow historical streets to create your own unique travel memories in this curious destination, such as Pingyao Ancient Town, Qiao, the Wang Family mansion, and the primitive Zhangbi Castle.

Highlights of our Pingyao tours

Our Pingyao tours include memorable highlights.

  • Rishengchang Former Bank – Wonder at the march of financial progress emanating from the Rishengchang Former Bank, a forerunner of modern banking, believed to be founded in Pingyao in 1823 during the Qing Dynasty. “Sunrise prosperity” (translation of Rishengchang) certainly lived up to its name, at its peak spreading throughout major cities in China and some foreign countries until the Xinhai Revolution of 1914. Gain a firsthand view of the inspiration behind today’s banking in China preserved in its original style.
  • Ancient City Wall – A favorite Pingyao tours attraction. As the financial center of the region from the 16th century, Pingyao needed the wall for protection. Since becoming a World Heritage Site in 1997, restoration has continued on the 12 meters high, 4 meters wide wall, with a 6,163 meters perimeter, surrounded by a deep moat. The 72 watchtowers and more than 3,000 battlements are said to represent the number of Confucius’ disciples and other students.
  • Ming and Qing Street – Envisage trade of old in the bustling business center of Pingyao’s narrow, orderly Ming and Qing Streets, built in the traditional Ming and Qing style architecture of bricks with stone. Shops and houses of prosperous trading families line what was once the “Wall Street of China”.
  • Qiao Family Compound – Moviegoers may recognize the Qiao Family Compound as the main location in the film Raise the Red Lantern. Construction began in 1756 and was completed sometime in the 18th century to become the residential compound for a well-known financier. Architects believe the 9,000 square meters of the estate to be one of the finest examples of imposing private residences in northern China and a must-see on a Pingyao tour.
  • Shuanglin Monastery – Be surprised by the Shuanglin Monastery, located in Qiaotou village in the countryside about 7 kilometers outside Pingyao. Founded in the 6th century, the monastery is notable for its collection of more than 2,000 decorated clay statues dating back to the 12-19th centuries.

Experience more

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, we help travelers create their own unique experience of this destination.

We can make special arrangements to make your Pingyao tour truly memorable.

  • Imbibe history – On a Pingyao tour, it’s possible to dine as the Chinese did 300 years ago at Yunjincheng. Eat traditional Pingyao Beef served in the elegant blue and white porcelain tableware and you’ll be stepping back in time and taste.
  • Revive the old – Ancient Pingyao comes alive again at the Pingyao Night Show. Set in an old city scene from the Qing era, the show combines music, drama, dance, and performance. Be amazed by this not to be missed Pingyao tour attraction.
  • Visit Tongxinggong Escort Agency – Make a stop at the Tongxinggong Escort Agency which served as an ancient security firm for protecting businesses and individuals trading valuables. Here 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.

Private Pingyao tours

On each of our private tours, we provide our travelers the certainty of careful attention to detail. When you book a Pingyao tour with us, we’ll arrange your itinerary and provide you with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic bilingual tour guide. Understanding the importance of balancing structure with flexibility, our tours allow for ample time to explore at your own pace, while gaining firsthand knowledge of your destination.

Why not have a look at some of our other popular China tour packages as well, these tours too can be taken as private tours, just you and your family or fellow group of travelers.


Pingyao Tours

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Testimonials


Scott G
Scott G
Reviewed on Oct 25, 2025
Tripadvisor score Once in a life time. Don’t miss it!

Oct 2025 • Friends

We love China Tours, and glad we chose them.

So far, we’re having a wonderful experience with our tour guide, Helena, in Hong Kong. She is incredibly knowledgeable, speaks excellent English, and shared so much fascinating information about every place we visited. She took us to many interesting and beautiful locations that we might never have discovered on our own. Throughout the day, she was patient, kind, and always ready to help with anything we needed. Her professionalism and friendly personality made the tour both enjoyable and memorable. We are very grateful for her guidance and would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Hong Kong, and we can’t wait to visit China too!
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Emmanuel B
Emmanuel B
Reviewed on Oct 25, 2025
Tripadvisor score An unforgettable experience in Xi’an!

Oct 2025 • Couples

This is the fourth time I write this review because tripadvisor keeps saying it was made using AI. As a non-native English speaker, I used AI to give Cathy the highest praise I could for taking care of us during our trip to Xi'an. She's the best and takes care of every single detail. To Cathy my biggest thanks and to tripadvisor and its insipid AI I hope you detect a drop in content creation due to this.
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Donna B
Donna B
Reviewed on Oct 24, 2025
Tripadvisor score White Glove Treatment

Sept 2025 • Solo

I was a little nervous- never been to Asia, never used this company etc but WOW. I was completely blown away by the service. I booked the two week tour that included Beijing- Xi-an Yangtze cruise- Zhangjiajie and Shanghai. The hotels were fabulous. The transportation included two high speed trains, plane, and private driving service. The guides were top notch and stayed with us until we were on the train and another met us at the other end when we stepped off. Our group was small so we were mobile and able to navigate easily. There wasn’t any shopping stops.
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Austp
Austp
Reviewed on Oct 22, 2025
Tripadvisor score Excellent Tour Organisation

Oct 2025 • Family

great organization of tours, excellent tour guides and communication was always spot on. Would book again with China Tours
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Venture39067238865
Venture39067238865
Reviewed on Sept 29, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great time in China

Sept 2025 • Solo

I traveled through China with China Tours from Sep. 11th to 25th and had a great time. I visited Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Yangtze river cruise, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai. Everything went smoothly and the tour guides are really helpful and professional. It would be fair to mention their names, just to give them their due: Lee in Beijing, Helen in Xian, Winnie in Chongqing, Lucy in Zhangjiajie and John and Cici in Shanghai. There are many highlights in a country like China, but from a foreigner's point of view maybe Chongqing stands out clearly, if only for unusual, and touring with Winnie, with her deep knowledge of the city made for a great experience.
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isabelle1610
isabelle1610
Reviewed on Sept 23, 2025
Tripadvisor score Great

Sept 2025 • Solo

I had a fantastic trip in China. I was met by 4 different guides in China in each city. In Beijing, I was met by Lindsey , in Xian By Linda, Warren in Shangai and Mathew in Hong kong. They were all very professional and I enjoyed the stories. You have a beautiful country and a lot of history I will definitely recommend China Tours. I met some wonderful people too. The highlight of the tour was surprising my son Jason in Hong Kong as he was celebrating his 30th 🥰
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Lachlan A
Lachlan A
Reviewed on Sept 18, 2025
Tripadvisor score Beijing Tour is Fun!

Sept 2025 • Solo

I had an amazing tour of the main cultural attractions in Beijing with my tour guide Lee. The experience was so easy and fun with her guidance, sense of humour and suggestions of places to eat and experiences to try in addition of the tour. Highly recommended.
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Mircea D
Mircea D
Reviewed on Sept 17, 2025
Tripadvisor score The best tour I have ever had

Sept 2025 • Solo

Usually I only write negative reviews, but this time it is an exception. Unfortunately I can give only 5 stars, but the company deserves 100 stars. Everything was exceptional, from organizing starting with some places I had in mind to visit, to every single detail of the trip. In other words it was perfect. I chose what I wanted to visit and Martha, the person who replied to my first inquiry, proposed the tour. I wanted to be alone in the tour, which is the best (only you and the guide), but maybe due to the requests, in two places I was with another couple from USA, which was really great. While on tour I realized that there are places I want to visit, but there was no time for this. This means next year I have to come back, but this time I will be alone. There are some things when you have to be alone, no matter how nice the other group members are. Of course if I will come back, I will use China Tours.
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