Give the long road day room
The Wutai County temple stage has longer drives. Add a night if you want a slower study of the halls. Foguang and Nanchan here are not a substitute for a full Mount Wutai pilgrimage visit.
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SAMPLE JOURNEY / 7 DAYS
Shanxi Ancient Architecture in 7 Days.
Travel south from Datong through Yingxian, Wutai County and Taiyuan to Pingyao, comparing cave art, timber temples, painted sculpture and merchant streets.
WHY THIS ROUTE
Follow the buildings south through Shanxi.
This route follows geography as well as architectural history. Datong’s cave and temple visits lead south through Hunyuan and Yingxian, then to Wutai County’s timber halls, Jinci and Pingyao. The changing materials and settings make each stage different: carved rock, freestanding timber, painted figures and a lived-in merchant town.
Choose the depth of interpretation
An architecture-led visit can concentrate on structure and surviving fabric; an art-led visit may give more time to sculpture and murals. Tell us your priority so specialist guiding and permitted site access can be discussed.
THE ITINERARY
Your journey, day by day.
Explore each day and swipe through the places along the way.
Begin in Datong with an in-depth visit to Yungang’s Buddhist carvings. Keep the afternoon flexible for settling in and discussing the architectural themes of the journey.
- Yungang GrottoesLarge Buddhist figures and richly carved caves illuminate the art of the Northern Wei period.
Yungang Grottoes
Huayan Temple
Hanging Temple
Yingxian Wooden Pagoda
Foguang Temple
Nanchan Temple
Jinci Temple
Pingyao Ancient City
Shuanglin Temple
Zhenguo TempleSeven sightseeing days, starting after an overnight stay in Datong. The Wutai County temple day involves longer drives and can be split by adding a night. Visits use permitted public areas; conservation closures and reservations may alter the order. Wutai County temples here are distinct from a full Mount Wutai pilgrimage itinerary.
Ask about this journeySHAPED AROUND YOU
Know what your proposal covers.
Our tailor-made arrangements typically include hotels, entrance tickets, vehicles, guides, meals and flights. International flights to and from China can be included according to your needs, alongside any domestic flights in your agreed route.
Your pace & priorities
Tell us which places matter most, how much walking you enjoy and whether you would prefer more time in fewer places.
Stays & getting around
Share your hotel preferences, departure airport and flight plans. Let us know if you would like us to include international flights or if you prefer to arrange them yourself.
A clear scope
Your proposal identifies the hotels, meals, tickets, guiding and transport included, plus any exclusions. Review payment, cancellation and change terms before confirming.
Booking payments. After you approve the written proposal, the initial payment is normally 30% of the land services price. Flights and other arrangements requiring advance payment are listed separately. Every payment is credited to the agreed total. The remaining balance is normally due 30 days before departure; for a later booking, the proposal states the applicable schedule before you confirm.
The final price and exact inclusions depend on your customised requirements and written quotation. Services and personal expenses not listed in that quotation are not included.
Shape this journey with us ↗Before you decide.
Can this itinerary be tailored to us?
Yes. Tell us your dates, interests, preferred pace and hotel preferences so we can discuss changes to this starting point.
What determines the final price?
Travel dates, group size, accommodation, transport and the experiences you choose shape the quote. Your written proposal sets out the exact services and total price.
How do we start planning?
Use the journey inquiry link to send us your ideas. Review the proposed itinerary, inclusions and booking terms before confirming your arrangements.