3-Hour Private Walking Tour of Pingyao Ancient City
Description
Wander the pinched lanes of Pingyao Ancient City, dozens of museums, hundreds of historic buildings and years of history unfold before your eyes. Accompanied by a private tour guide service, travel back to ancient time, discover the thriving merchant town during the Ming Dynasty.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pingyao Ancient City is bounded by an intact city wall, gates access the old town at various points in the east, west, north and south. The Ancient City Wall is a good place to start the tour. It was constructed nearly 3,000 years ago, and at present it still keeps the original appearance of the city wall renovated in the early Ming Dynasty which is several hundred years ago. The contruction method is simply but delicate. Its circumference is about 6,163 meters, with a height at 6 to 10 meters.
The old town's main drag is Nan Dajie, also known as 'Ming-and-Qing-Dynasties Ancient Street', is the central axis of Pingyao Ancient City. During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1367–1912), Nan Dajie (South Street) controlled more than half of the financial institutions in China and was known as the 'China’s Wall Street' of that period. Now it is still the most prosperous place in Pingyao.
Pingyao Confucius Temple is the earliest built and the best preserved of its kind in China. It has an exhibition showing the history and development of ancient China' imperial examination system. Other precious relics on display include ancient civil officials' costumes and accessories and the examination paper of a number one scholar.
Established in 1823, Rishengchang is the first and was the biggest draft bank in China at that time, and had been famous for "Hui Tong Tian Xia", meaning "business conneting the whole world". Rishengchang is located on the West Street of Pingyao Ancient Town. From its establishment via prosperity till its closure, it operated for over 100 years. At Rishengchang, visitors will learn about its development and how it was managed via the exhibitions.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- You will receive details about tour guide and exact meeting time in your voucher the day before. And the tour guide will also contact you through hotel or leave a message for you regarding the exact time the night before tour.
- Your AncientCityPASS ticket includes 22 attractions for one-time admission each. Your ticket is valid for 3 consecutive days, starting with and including the first day of use. Ticket fee RMB125 is not included in this tour pricing.
Reviews(6)
We had a fantastic three-and-a-half hour walking tour of Pingyao with Mr. Strong. He was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable, and it made the experience even more special to hear from someone who had been brought up inside the city walls from a young age and still lives there today. We particularly enjoyed the diversity of the five sites we visited, each offering a different insight into Pingyao’s history and culture. Learning from a local added so much depth to the tour, and Mr. Strong communicated everything very clearly in English. A wonderful way to explore Pingyao and understand its history. Highly recommended.
The walled city of Pingyao is a very good place to visit and see in China. All the structures and buildings are still there to have an amazing experience of the past. It was a very wonderful feeling to walk around and imagine how the people in the area were living during the ancient times. Our tour guide, Mr Strong was very knowledgeable and well versed in giving us information about the history of the people and each of the places we visited around the city. This place is very worthwhile to see and explore.
Dear M, Thank you for your wonderful review of the Half-Day Private Walking Tour of Pingyao Ancient City! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring this remarkable city and that Mr. Strong provided you with valuable insights. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back soon! Best regards, Trippest Customer Service Team
I have high praises for Mr Strong! He was a wonderful guide with lots of knowledge, and was informative. He brought me to 5 different stops around Pingyao where I learnt about its history and saw culture come alive. We took around 4.5 hours, and spent a good amount of time at each stop. As a solo traveller who has been on many tours around the world, this is definitely worth every penny! Ask for Mr Strong - he is able to communicate in English proficiently and answer my questions very patiently. Thank you for introducing Pingyao to me — much needed!!
Dear Prisca, Thank you for choosing our half-day walking tour of Pingyao! We're thrilled to hear you had such a wonderful experience with Mr. Strong. His knowledge and passion for the city's history truly enhance the journey. We appreciate your kind words and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! Best regards, Trippest Customer Service Team
The tour guide Mr Strong was very engaging and took me on a 4h tour highlighting the main sights of the ancient town. He speaks good english and I would recommend him. The only negative is pricing which is feel is too expensive for 4 hours. In Shanghai and Beijing my private tours were twice as long and included admission tickets (this does not include tickets), but those tours only cost a tiny bit more than this tour. I think this should be around 25% cheaper. This is not a reflection on the guide who was excellent, but for the tour operator to review.
Dear Gio, Thank you for your thoughtful feedback regarding your recent tour with Mr. Strong. We're delighted to hear that you found him engaging and that he highlighted the main sights of Pingyao Ancient City effectively. We always strive to provide the best possible guides, and Mr. Strong is indeed one of our top selections. Your suggestion about pricing is greatly appreciated. As you noted, the costs of our tours can be influenced by various factors, including platform commissions, local market prices, and the quality of guide service. This often leads to differences in pricing across different regions in China. We truly value your perspective as an experienced traveler and are honored to have had the opportunity to serve you. We encourage you to check our official website for future bookings, where you can find more exciting travel options tailored to your preferences. Thank you once again for your insights, and we look forward to welcoming you on your next adventure! Best regards, Trippest Customer Service Team
Jonathan was an excellent guide. He arrived early. He spoke very good English and his explanation was on point. He explain the layout of the city very well and easy to understood ! He was very patient and waited around for us in the crowd. It was lunar new year and the place was extra crowded . He was able to provide short cuts and avoid the crowd ! What an excellent guide. We felt very safe around him. We talked about a nearby temple and he was gracious to show us the temple after our luncheon . He went above and beyond his duties and we very much appreciate him. He also told us of an evening show and made sure we know the way to walk there from our hotel. It sadden us that he has to leave . We really enjoyed his friendship and guidance . Jonathan - thanks for your kindness. We wish you the very best for you and your family. You made our trip to Pingyao very enjoyable . Thanks Jonathan .
Dear Betty, Thank you so much for choosing us for your Pingyao tour and for your kind words about Jonathan! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience exploring the festive atmosphere of Pingyao during the Chinese Lunar New Year. We’ve shared your compliments with Jonathan, and he is grateful for your appreciation. It was our honor to serve you during this special time, and we hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures in the future! Best regards, Trippest Customer Care
Great tour, my family really enjoyed it from start to finish and we would love to go back to Pingyao.
Dear Maximiliano, Thank you for your wonderful review of the Half-Day Private Walking Tour of Pingyao Ancient City! We’re thrilled to hear that your family enjoyed the experience and appreciated our knowledgeable guide, who shared insights into the rich local culture and history. We would love to welcome you back for more adventures in Pingyao in the future! Best regards, Trippest Customer Service Team
