{"product_id":"pingyao-datong-northern-loop-private-tour-2026","title":"Pingyao \u0026 Datong Northern Loop","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f1eb;border-left:4px solid #8b6f47;padding:24px 28px;margin-bottom:32px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cul style=\"margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 days · pace: Quiet, small-scale, two walled towns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom \u0026lt;strong\u0026gt;$3,420 per person\u0026lt;\/strong\u0026gt; based on two travellers (1-traveller and group rates available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-private throughout — your party only, no joining strangers or shared vehicles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes ChinaTourly's 24\/7 English-language support line for the duration of your travel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003ePingyao financial district, Datong Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, Wutaishan day if season permits. The least crowded of the historical loops. This journey is designed for the kind of traveller who reads the wall labels — paced for quiet, small-scale, two walled towns, with the operational specifics that make the days work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat you actually do on this journey\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePingyao Rishengchang Draft Bank museum (1823, China's first modern bank)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDatong Yungang Grottoes Caves 16-20 (early Northern Wei royal commission, 460 CE)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHanging Temple at Hengshan (pinned to a cliff face since 491 CE)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWalk inside Pingyao's 6 km Ming city wall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptional Wutaishan day if season permits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDay-by-day itinerary\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArrival · Taiyuan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFly into Taiyuan. Evening drive south to Pingyao (1h 30m). Hotel inside the Ming wall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePingyao\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFull day inside the walls. Rishengchang Draft Bank, the County Yamen, the Confucian Temple, the Ancient City Wall walk.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePingyao → Datong\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning drive north to Datong (4h, scenic route). Afternoon at the Datong City Wall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYungang Grottoes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning at Yungang Caves 16-20, the original Northern Wei royal commission. Afternoon Hanging Temple at Hengshan.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:14px 16px;border-bottom:1px solid #e0d9cf;vertical-align:top;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeparture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMorning at the Datong Museum (Northern Wei collection). Afternoon flight or rail departure.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpecific timings, restaurants, and after-hours arrangements are confirmed in your final itinerary 14 days before departure.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecialist Northern Wei art guide for Yungang day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInside-the-walls heritage guesthouse in Pingyao\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4-star Datong city hotel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrivate vehicle for both legs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll site tickets and Hanging Temple climbing access\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is not included\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInternational flights to and from China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChinese tourist visa (typically $140–$185 from a Chinese consulate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel insurance (required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinners (unless specified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholic beverages at meals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal shopping and souvenirs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTips for guides and drivers ($10–$20 per day each is appreciated but not expected)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy book this with ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency. Our team is in China, our supplier relationships are in China, and our guides have been personally interviewed before their first client assignment. Three operational specifics that distinguish this journey from a generic package:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamed guide.\u003c\/strong\u003e We commit to the specific guide assigned to your trip, not \"an experienced English-speaking guide\". You receive a brief on your guide's background 14 days before departure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal workshops where applicable.\u003c\/strong\u003e When your itinerary includes a craft workshop or master encounter, you are visiting a working studio with a verified practitioner — not a tourist demonstration with rotating actors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFriction honesty.\u003c\/strong\u003e We tell you what does not work — the days that cannot avoid crowds, the seasons that cannot avoid weather, the sites that cannot be photographed inside — before you book, not after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuestions you should ask before you book\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this journey actually private?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does payment work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eA 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the cancellation policy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eCancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I customise the itinerary?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I reach you with questions during the trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eOur 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is this journey actually private?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. Your party is your party from the first transfer to the last. No joining strangers, no shared vehicles, no 'small-group' arrangements that are simply smaller buses. One licensed English-speaking guide, one vehicle, one dedicated driver across the full itinerary.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does payment work?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 30% non-refundable deposit at booking confirmation, balance due 45 days before departure. For trips booked more than 90 days in advance, we offer a 30\/30\/40 payment schedule. All major credit cards and bank wire are accepted.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the cancellation policy?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Cancellations more than 60 days before departure receive a refund minus the deposit and any non-recoverable supplier costs (typically minimal at that lead time). Cancellations 30–60 days before departure receive 50% refund minus deposit. Inside 30 days, refunds depend on supplier recoveries. Travel insurance covers the gap and is required.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Can I customise the itinerary?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Yes. The structure above is our Signature version. Specific evenings, an extra day in one city, a craft workshop add-on, a hotel category upgrade — all of these are accommodated through a brief design conversation. Larger restructuring becomes a Bespoke itinerary; see our Bespoke journeys page for details.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I reach you with questions during the trip?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Our 24\/7 English-language support line, answered within 90 seconds by a senior staff member based in China. Your guide and driver are reachable directly on WhatsApp. For medical issues we have direct hospital relationships in every major city we operate in.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout ChinaTourly\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChinaTourly is a China-based boutique travel agency designing private, tailor-made journeys for English-speaking travellers worldwide. Signature Tours from $2,000 per person. Bespoke Journeys from $3,999 per person with a 2-traveller minimum. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eSend us an inquiry\u003c\/a\u003e and we will respond within 24 hours with a draft itinerary and your guide already named.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage Encounter — Pingyao Ancient Lacquer-ware Workshop\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Pingyao Old Town you spend a half-day with \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Xue Shenglin\u003c\/strong\u003e, a national-level inheritor of \u003cem\u003ePingyao tuiguang qi\u003c\/em\u003e (平遥推光漆) — the Pingyao push-polished lacquerware tradition on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. Pingyao lacquer-work uses raw lacquer-tree sap painted in 12-25 layers on wooden cores, then hand-polished with the palm of the hand over weeks. Master Xue demonstrates the \"push-polish\" technique that gives Pingyao lacquer its distinctive mirror finish without machine buffing, and lets you handle a 14-layer jewelry box. You take part in the final palm-polishing of a small souvenir box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — Cloisonné Master Atelier in Beijing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCloisonné enamel (景泰蓝) is one of Beijing's four great crafts and is on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. You visit the workshop of \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Zhang Tonglu\u003c\/strong\u003e, last apprentice trained at the Beijing Imperial Workshop before its 1956 reorganization. Master Zhang walks you through the six core stages — copper base hammering, brass wire bending, enamel filling, 800°C kiln firing, polishing, gilding — using actual unfinished pieces. You then attempt a five-centimeter wire-bending exercise on his bench, the same exercise his apprentices complete in their first month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving Heritage — She Inkstick Carving in Shexian\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Shexian county you visit the workshop of \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Hu Kaiwen\u003c\/strong\u003e, national-level inheritor of \u003cem\u003eShe mo\u003c\/em\u003e (歙墨, She inksticks) — one of the Four Treasures of the traditional Chinese study and on China's national intangible cultural heritage list. The Hu Kaiwen Inkstick Factory traces continuous production to 1782. Master Hu walks you through the eleven stages — pine-soot collection, animal-glue mixing, hand-kneading, hammering, mold pressing, six-month drying, gold-leaf application, surface engraving. You hand-press a small souvenir inkstick using a Qing-era mold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ct-cache-bust-route-map-20260611 --\u003e","brand":"ChinaTourly","offers":[{"title":"Pay full","offer_id":55568116711592,"sku":"pingyao-datong-northern-loop","price":3420.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pay deposit (20%)","offer_id":55596120178856,"sku":null,"price":684.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0748\/7419\/2040\/files\/2f4e36a3af1b8e7481d76a4775e4cc85.webp?v=1780894473","url":"https:\/\/chinatourly.com\/products\/pingyao-datong-northern-loop-private-tour-2026","provider":"Chinatourly","version":"1.0","type":"link"}