Day Trip to Wang Family Compound & Zhangbi Ancient Castle from Pingyao

Tour Highlights
• Visit Wang Family Compound, the largest of Shanxi Courtyard Houses which rivals Beijing's Forbidden City in its magnitude
• Explore the lanes and houses of the fortified village of Zhangbi
• Delve into the complex network of tunnels and find your way out of the labyrinth at Zhangbi Ancient Castle

About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Pingyao
• Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
• Pickup Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pickup & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Pingyao
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour. We recommend having a substantial breakfast and bringing snacks in case you get hungry while sightseeing. If you'd like to experience authentic local cuisine for lunch, feel free to inform your guide, who will be happy to assist.

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Pick up from your accommodation in Pingyao
• Drive to Wang Family Compound (about 55km)
• Visit Wang Family Compound
• Lunch on your own
• Drive to Zhangbi Ancient Castle (about 32km)
• Visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Pingyao (about 46km)

Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during National Day (Oct 1-7), Chinese New Year, and Labor Day (May 1-5).

Price Inclusions
• Professional English language speaking tour guide.
• Air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver.
• Admission tickets to sightseeing places.
• All government taxes.

Price Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Your personal expenses.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.

Additional Information
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that travelers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and date of birth to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in being denied access or admittance to sites and attractions during sightseeing. When you book this tour, please complete all required fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.

Cancellation Policy
• Cancellations made 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour's start time or after the tour begins are non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed within 2-5 business days, with refunds issued within 14 working days.

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs
• If you want to customize this itinerary, contact us via WhatsApp (+86 139 1083 0737) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com). We'll create a tailor-made tour package just for you.

Know Before You Go
• Keep your passport with you throughout the tour; it may be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Pickup time, guide's name, and contact information will be confirmed via WhatsApp or email.
• Your guide will be at the meeting point, holding a GGC pickup sign with your name.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• If you book an Airbnb, please note that door-to-door pickup and drop-off might not be provided.
• There's a 20-minute grace period for waiting. Failure to show up will result in tour cancellation & no refund.

Hotel Pickup, Transfer to Wang Family Compound
Your private guide will be holding GoGrandChina pickup sign and waiting for you in your hotel lobby (or other appointed meeting place) at the appointed time. You will be transferred to Wang Family Compound (about 55km) in a comfortable private vehicle.

Visit Wang Family Compound
The Wang Family Compound (also variously called the Wang Family Grand Courtyard, Wang Family Mansion, or Wang Family Manor) is the largest of the Shanxi Courtyard Houses. The fortress compound is a tight arrangement of courtyard residences. It is one of 123 residences listed as part of the "Ancient Residences in Shanxi and Shaanxi Provinces" entry in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2008 in the cultural category. The Wang family was one of four historically prominent families in the county. According to family lore the wealth of the family grew from selling bean curd. The local Wangs would reach its apex of wealth and power in 18th century after accumulating riches from business and government position. Over the course of several generations the compound was built on a grand scale during the period from the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1661–1722) to the Jiaqing Emperor (1796–1820). By the 19th century the fortunes of the family declined and some members took to degeneracy, opium smoking, and public corruption. The Wang family was ousted from the family compound in late 1930's. As the building of the compound was a multi-generation endeavor, construction clusters arose one by one. The courtyards are two stories and covered by slate gray roof tiles. The main area of the compound is symmetrical and divided by a moat over which crosses a stone bridge. The four circles of walls are multi-tiered, protecting different layers of dwelling areas from outside threats. Within the courtyards are rooms, kitchens, schools, and prayer pavilions. The ornate stone, brick and wood carvings have themes based on folk customs and folk arts.

Lunch at Your Own Expense
Please feel free to ask your guide for suggestions and recommendations

Visit Zhangbi Ancient Castle (about 46km)
Zhangbi Ancient Castle is an ancient multifunctional castle integrating military residential, productive and religious functions into a little known small scale locale. The isolated castle was built in year 617 at an altitude of 1040 meter above sea level with a total circumference of 1300 meters. Large numbers of ancient streets and buildings are preserved inside its 2000 sq. meter of land, particularly its three layers underground tunnels. The complicated attack and defense system of the tunnels has made Zhangbi Ancient Castle a top and rare ancient underground military site in China. The network of defence tunnels stretching underground for 10km, are estimated to be 1400 years old and believed to be the longest of their kind in China. Troops were stationed here in the Sui and Tang dynasties but they were never used. Today, 1500m of tunnels on three levels have been restored. You descend as low as 26m in places and tour narrow and low passages, which were once guardhouses, bedrooms, stables and ambush spots.

Transfer Back to Your Hotel
Your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Pingyao