UNESCO World Heritage
Introducing UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Taiyuan
Taiyuan & its surrounding areas have four cultural and natural places inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of 2020. The Ancient City of Pingyao, Shuanglin Temple and Zhenguo Temple were added to the World Heritage Sites in the name of the Ancient City of Ping Yao in 1997. Mount Wutai was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009. If you happen to be in Taiyuan or anywhere else in Shanxi Province, be sure to drop by these amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites near Taiyuan. Each of Taiyuan's UNESCO World Heritage Site has a tale to tell. Book GoGrandChina tour packages to learn the tales of Taiyuan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the most affordable prices.
Mount Wutai
With its five flat peaks, Mount Wutai is a sacred Buddhist mountain. The cultural landscape is home to forty-one monasteries and includes the East Main Hall of Foguang Temple, the highest surviving timber building of the Tang dynasty, with life-size clay sculptures. It also features the Ming dynasty Shuxiang Temple with a huge complex of 500 statues representing Buddhist stories woven into three-dimensional pictures of mountains and water. Overall, the buildings on the site catalogue the way in which Buddhist architecture developed and influenced palace building in China for over a millennium. Mount Wutai, literally, 'the five terrace mountain', is the highest in Northern China and is remarkable for its morphology of precipitous slopes with five open treeless peaks. Temples have been built on this site from the 1st century AD to the early 20th century. Get more about Mount Wutai.
The Ancient City of Ping Yao
The Ancient City of Ping Yao is a well-preserved ancient county-level city in China. Located in Ping Yao County, central Shanxi Province, the property includes three parts: the entire area within the walls of Ping Yao, Shuanglin Temple 6 kilometers southwest of the county seat, and Zhenguo Temple 12 kilometers northeast of the county seat. The Ancient City of Ping Yao well retains the historic form of the county-level cities of the Han people in Central China from the 14th to 20th century. Get more about the Ancient City of Ping Yao.
Shuanglin Temple
The Shuanglin Temple is among the many cultural monuments located in the Pingyao, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site inscribed in 1997. Founded in the 6th century, the temple is notable for its collection of more than 2,000 decorated clay statues that are dated to the 12th-19th centuries. It is nicknamed the museum of coloured sculptures. Most of them are dated to the period of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The themes depicted are generally religious in nature and relate to the daily life of people. They are considered among the finest examples of Chinese coloured sculptures. The number of coloured sculptures are reported to be 2,052, out of which 1,650 are reported to be extant. The height of the sculptures varies between 0.3–3.5 metres (1 ft 0 in–11 ft 6 in). The formats are of bas-relief, high relief and in circular form. There are also wall sculptures and a few are suspended. Buddha, Bodhisattva, Warrior Guards, Arhat, heavenly generals and also common people are the sculptural themes. The background scenes depict towers, buildings, mountains, rivers, clouds, rocks, grasses, flowers, forested trees, and woodlands. The sculptures are displayed behind caged chambers in a tableaux form. Get more about Shuanglin Temple.
Zhenguo Temple
Zhenguo Temple is a Buddhist temple located 10 km from Pingyao in the village of Hadongcun. The temple's oldest hall, the Wanfo Hall, was built in 963 during the Northern Han dynasty, and is notable for featuring very large brackets that hold up the roof and flying eaves. The sculptures inside the hall are among the only examples of 10th century Buddhist sculpture in China. The history of the temple begins in 963, when it was recorded that Ten-Thousand Buddha Hall was built. The date is written on a beam in the hall, and is also the date given by a local history of Pingyao county written in the 19th century. A stela written in 1819 also confirms this date. Wanfo Hall (Ten-Thousand Buddha Hall) is the oldest building at Zhenguo temple, and is the only surviving building that dates from the short-lived Northern Han dynasty. Although little is known of the temple's history, stelae record that it was renovated in 1540 and in 1816. Get more about Zhenguo Temple.
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Tour Highlights
• Visit Qiao Family Compound, a fine example of a traditional private residence in China built in the 18th-century.
• Marvel at Pingyao, an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Chinese city, founded in the 14th century.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 Qiao Family Compound (about 54km)
• Visit Qiao Family Compound
• Lunch on your own
• Drive to the Ancient City of Pingyao (about 42km)
• Visit the Ancient City of Pingyao
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Taiyuan (about 80km)Tour Prices (US$ Per Person)
1 person 2 people 3 people 4 people 5 people 6 people 7 people 8 people 9 people 10 + $438 $248 $188 $148 $138 $128 $118 $108 $98 $88
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
Learn More
• 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.
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