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Discover the Ancient Financial Capital - Pingyao offered by supplier M16534 (read about supplier) Key Information: Tour Duration: 3 day(s) Group Size: 2 - 8 people Destination(s): China   Specialty Categories: Cultural Journey   Archeology/History   Season: January - December Airfare Included: No Tour Customizable: Yes Minimum Per Person Price: 425 US Dollar (USD) Maximum Per Person Price: 425 US Dollar (USD)

The ancient city of Pingyao is located in Shanxi Province and is home to some of the best-preserved traditional architecture in all of China. Pingyao's city wall was first built during the Zhou Dynasty (11th century - 256 B.C.) and was expanded in 1370, the third year of the reign of Ming Emperor Hongwu. Since 1997, it has been listed as a World Heritage Site.

Now Pingyao city is the only one in China completely reserved, as it was hundreds of years ago, no modern buildings, only narrow stone-plate streets with many Chinese-style shops. Located on the trade route between Beijing and Xi'an, Pingyao developed into a merchant center where enterprising locals set up the nation's earliest banks. These institutions were the first in China to use checks, and business peaked in the 19th century, when the city was the undisputed financial center of the Qing government.

Several old courtyards have been turned into museums, most notably the homes and offices of Pingyao's old tongs, or banks. One of the most remarkable aspects of a visit here is realizing that this remote place was immensely important to China's financial history. This journey will retrace the memories of Shanxi's prosperous past, by visiting luxurious mansions once inhabited by the powerful merchants, buildings that once housed shops and banks, and century-old structures adorned with rare and exquisite woodwork.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Fly to Taiyuan, capital city of Shanxi province and drive to Pingyao, financial center of Qing Dynasty now has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 2: Today is set aside explore Pingyao and we will visit several of the ancient courtyards and a complex of old private houses exhibiting their collection of art and furniture, all converted into museums. In addition to appreciating the ancient architecture, we navigate the ancient city around by bike or foot.

Day 3: We return to Taiyuan with a visit to Shuanglin Temple en route and fly back home in the afternoon.

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Price Includes:
- All hotel accommodations based on double occupancy, including tax and service
- All meals as stated in the itinerary highlighting the local cuisine with water, tea, coffee, local beer, and soft drinks
- Group airport arrival and departure transfers
- All ground transportation in private air conditioned vehicle with bottled water and snacks on coach
- All sightseeing, entrance fees
- Services of local guides, site experts, and other support personnel.

Price Excludes:
- International airfare
- Any en route stopovers, hotels, and meals to and from China
- Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
- Passport and visa fees
- Items of a personal nature such as, laundry, mail, phone calls, faxes, spa treatments, hard liquor
- Normal level of gratuities for local guides and drivers
- Trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance.

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Also see tour packages in:
Asia   China   Local Culture   Cultural Journey   Archeology/History  

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