Private Day Trip to Qikou Ancient Town and Yellow River from Taiyuan

Tour Highlights
• Visit the Qikou Ancient Town, a forgotten jewel on the banks of the Yellow River.
• Admire the mighty Yellow River, the second longest river in China.

About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Taiyuan
• 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 Taiyuan
• 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 Taiyuan
• Drive to Qikou Ancient Town (about 250km)
• Visit Qikou Ancient Town & Yellow River
• Lunch on your own
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Taiyuan (about 250km)

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 Mengshan Mountain Buddha
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 Qikou Ancient Town (about 250km) in a comfortable private vehicle.

Qikou Ancient Town & Yellow River
The word ‘Qi’ in the town’s name means "sand-piled shoal". This phenomenon occurs when sudden fluctuations in the Yellow River (which the town is situated on the east bank of) cause rip currents to occur. As a result, the river becomes much shallower during this time. It is stated that the depth of the river could “reduce from 400 (1312.34 ft.) meters to 80 (262.467 ft.) meters”. Thus, the town of Qikou was named after this natural phenomenon. The Yellow River has been an important route for the transportation of trade goods since the ancient times. It was due to this that Qikou prospered. From Qikou, goods were transported to north and northwest China. The town of Qikou thrived during the Ming and the Qing Dynasties. During these periods, it “served as a vital trading point marking the eastern terminus for river-bound freight between northwest and north China.” At this point, the Yellow River became narrower and shallower, thus making it difficult, if not impossible, for boats journeying to the east and north to pass. Thus, the trade goods had to continue their journey overland in caravans of horses or camels. This brought business for the people of Qikou, and made the town flourish. The remnants of this past glory can be seen in the town’s many well-preserved buildings. During its heyday, Qikou is reputed to have had more than 380 shops operating in the town. These shops were likely to have catered to the needs of the passing merchants, providing them with a variety of goods and services. One of the buildings in the town that attests to this, for example, is a shop that housed an escort agency called Shi Yi Biao Ju, translated as Ten Righteousness Escort Agency. Such agencies hired out caravan guards to merchants who wanted extra protection for their goods. Qikou’s prosperity gradually declined during the first half of the 20th century. During the 1930s, rail transport was introduced into the region. Still, Qikou remained as a trade center connecting business from Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia until the 1940s. Since then, the use of modern transportation meant that Qikou lost its role as a trade hub.

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

Transfer Back to Your Hotel
Your guide and driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Taiyuan (about 250km)