8 Days Shanxi Buddhism, A Buddhist Baptism in Shanxi Province

Nihao! Welcome to Taiyuan. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the guide and escorted to the hotel in a private vehicle.

Meals: No meal, advice freely available

• Hotels: Kempinski Hotel Taiyuan , Wanda Vista Taiyuan, Pullman Taiyuan, Grand Metro Park Wanshi Hotel Shanxi

Taiyuan

After a sound sleep, start the whole day tour from Jinci Temple, a unique and precious historical and cultural heritage that integrates ancient Chinese sacrificial architecture, gardens, sculptures, murals and stele inscriptions. Then proceed to Pingyao by private transfer.

After lunch, wander in Pingyao Ancient Town to explore Ancient City Wall, Mingqing Street, Rishengchang Draft Bank, Pingyao Ancient Government Office, where you could learn about the life and business about the ancient Chinese. At the end of the tour, appreciate the beautiful wood and clay sculptures of Buddhist gods at Shuanglin Temple.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Pingyao Yunjincheng Hotel, Pingyao Yide Hotel, Jing's Residence

Pingyao Ancient Town

In the morning, visit Wang Family Courtyard first. It is a museum of architectural art with traditional cultural characteristics. The brick, wood and stone carvings are one of the highlights of it.

Then proceed to Zhangbi Ancient Village, which is a rare ancient pocket-size "castle" in relatively good condition in China, integrating the functions of military, residential, production, astrology and religious activities.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Wang Family Courtyard, Zhangbi Ancient Village

After breakfast, drive about 3.5 hours to Mount Wutai, one of the four holy mountains for Buddhists in China. Start from Foguang Temple, where you will see its ‘four treasures’ - architecture, statues, murals and ink marks. Continue to Nanchan Temple, The oldest existing wooden building standing on Mount Wutai.

Head to Tayuan Temple, which is named after the symbol of Mount Wutai, the Big White Pagoda. The last temple you will visit today is Xiantong Temple, located behind Tayuan Temple.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Wutai Qixiange Guest Hotel , Huahui Hotel

Mount Wutai

After a night in Mount Wutai, continue your exploration of more temples. The first one today is Dailuoding Temple. It is a wonderful place where enshrines the five Manjusri Bodhisattvas of each terrace. With 1080 steps, you can climb to the top of the snail-shaped peak or take cableway to summit. When you get to the top, the whole Taihuai temples are in your eyes. Follow on is the visit to Bishan Temple, which is the largest "ten sides" temple.The so-called "ten sides" means that all monks and laymen from all directions can enjoy free food and lodging here.

Afterwards, go to Shuxiang Temple, which got its name because of the Bodhisattva Manjusri enshrined in the temple.

At last, visit Longquan Temple to see the stone archway of white marble. Besides, the stone and brick carvings add more charm to this temple.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Dailuoding Temple

In the morning, drive about 3 hours to Datong. The first site you will visit is Hanging Temple, which clings to the cliff. It’s the only existing temple which is dedicated to three religions: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Continue your exploration to the tallest, oldest and only wooden pagoda in China, Yingxian Wooden Pagoda.

After lunch, drive about 3.5 hours to Mount Wutai, where you will spend overnight.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
• Hotels: Datong Xinyu Crown Hotel , Howard Johnson Jindi Plaza Datong, Yungang Meigao Hotel

Hanging Monastery

Pay a visit to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site – Yungang Grottoes, where you could feel the charm of stone carvings of Chinese Buddhism.

Then drive to Huayan Temple, whose buildings, statues and frescos all present the masterpieces of the Liao Dynasty and considered a museum of art of the Liao Dynasty.

At the end of the day, you will visit the Nine-Dragon Screen Wall, which is the oldest and largest glazed screen in China.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,

Yungang Grottoes

After breakfast, be transferred to the train station or airport to head for your next destination. Wave your goodbye to the guide and driver.

• Meals: Breakfast,

Nine-Dragon Screen Wall