Pingyao ancient City & Hukou Waterfall Exploration - 4 Days

Our trip leader will wait for you at the hotel in Taiyuan, the rest of the day is left for you to have a good rest or to become familiar with this city on your own.

Attractions: Jinci Temple, Pingyao Ancient City

Getting up early, go to visit Jinci Temple: Jinci has a long history. Relying on the famous Jinci gardens, the temple has a beautiful scenery, magnificent architecture and numerous temples. There are nearly a hundred temples, halls, buildings, pavilions, terraces, and bridges dotted among the mountains and waters. The ancient trees are lush and poetic.

After lunch, explore the ancient city of Pingyao: known as one of the "four best-preserved ancient cities", it has a history of more than 2,700 years, and it retains the basic features of the county during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It's one of China's four best preserved old cities together with Lijiang Old Town, Huizhou Ancient City and Langzhong Ancient City.

Then return to the hotel to rest.

Attractions: Zhangbi Ancient Fortress, Wang Family Mansion

Getting up early, visit Zhangbi Ancient Fortress: it is a rare ancient pocket castle that integrates military, housing, production, astrology, and religious activities in China. The entire village of Zhangbi Fortress was built in accordance with traditional Chinese ancient astrology and geomancy concepts, and the ground layout corresponds to the 28 stars in the sky. Therefore, Zhangbi Ancient Fortress is also known as "the first village of Chinese astrology."

After lunch, visit the Wang Family: It is a master of residential architecture in the Qing Dynasty, known as the "Chinese Folk Palace", "The First Residence of Chinese Folk Residence" and "The Forbidden City in Shanxi". The Wang Family Courtyard was built by the Jingsheng Wang family in the Ming and Qing dynasties for more than 300 years, including five lanes and six castles, with a total area of 250,000 square meters. The 88 courtyards in the fort have their own characteristics, and none of them are the same.

Then return to the hotel to rest.

Attractions: Hukou Waterfall · Yao Temple—Hua Gate

After getting up, visit Hukou Waterfall: it is the second largest waterfall in China and the largest yellow waterfall in the world. The Yellow River rushes to this point, with cliffs standing on both sides of the river, and the estuary is as narrow as a Hukou, hence the name Hukou Waterfall. The Yellow River traveled thousands of miles to Hukou. The surface of the river suddenly narrowed, and the huge water flow descended from the sky.

After lunch, visit the Yao Temple:  first established during the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in the present southern outskirt. It was believed that the city was made the capital of the nation by Emperor Yao, who is a great sage in the Chinese prehistoric ages prior to Shun and Yu the Great. Later generations then built the temple here to eulogize his laudable feats. According to historical rumours, during the time when the Yao Temple was in its largest size, it occupies more than 780 acres.

Afterwards, have a look at the appearance of Hua Gate: It is a monument of Chinese civilization, composed of three parts: the base, the main gate and the gate tower. It is also known as the gate of Chinese civilization, symbolizing that Emperor Yao opened the gate of Chinese civilization. It integrates historical memorials and sightseeing, adding a high-grade cultural landscape to the local area.