Taiyuan Highlights Private Day Trip to Mengshan Mountain Buddha, Twin Pagoda Temple, Jinci Temple & Shanxi Museum

Tour Highlights
• Admire Mengshan Mountain Buddha, carved in 551AD, believed to be China's oldest stone sculpture of the Buddha.
• Visit Twin Pagoda Temple, symbol of Taiyuan built between 1597 and 1602.
• Visit Jinci Temple, Shanxi's most prominent temple founded about 1,400 years ago.
• Learn the history & culture of Shanxi at Shanxi Museum, home to about 400,000 cultural relics and 110,000 old books.
• Experienced English speaking tour guide.
• Overland round-trip transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments.

About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Taiyuan
• Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours.
• Guide Languages: Chinese & English.
• Pick-up Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pick-up & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Taiyuan
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour, please have a big breakfast and pack snacks just in case you get a bit peckish during sightseeing. If you want to try authentic local food for lunch, please feel free to inform your guide who is always ready to help.

Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Pick up from your accommodation in Taiyuan
• Drive to Menshan Mountain Buddha (about 20km)
• Visit Mengshan Mountain Buddha
• Visit Twin Pagoda Temple
• Lunch on your own
• Visit Jinci Temple
• Visit Shanxi Museum (not available on Monday)
• Transfer back to your accommodation in Taiyuan

Tailor This Tour to Meet Your Needs and Requirements
• If you want to modify this itinerary, please feel free to contact GoGrandChina by WhatsApp (+86-18309280878), Wechat (+86-18309280878) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com), we will create a tailor-made tour package for you.

Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during China's Official Holidays (such as National Day & Chinese New Year Festival etc.).

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

Price Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Your personal expenses.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• 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 Info
• Shanxi Museum is closed on Monday tours.
• Confirmation will be received at 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
• You may cancel the booking and receive a full refund up to 24 hours prior to the date of your tour.
• Cancellation within 24 hours or after the tour begins is non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed in 2-5 business days, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.

Why Travelers Have to Choose GoGrandChina Private Tours?
• Choose your most suitable departure time, whether you are an early bird or you prefer sleeping in.
• GoGrandChina private tours are more flexible, allowing you to adjust everything on your trip to your wishes.
• GoGrandChina tour guides will be at your service to make sure you get the most from each destination. They are there for you and are responsible for making your journey special – and your needs always come first.
• GoGrandChina offers comfortable and luxury vehicles with a private & experienced driver who’s always by your side and ready to take you to your next destination.
• No shopping stops & factory visits, no chance of getting ripped off.
• No hidden costs, rest assured that there are no nasty surprises.

Know Before You Go
• Shanxi Museum is closed on Monday tours.
• Keep your passport on you constantly. It might be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Add us on WeChat (+86-18309280878) or WhatsApp (+86-18309280878) to reach GGC service staff at anytime.
• Pick-up time, guide's name & contact information will be confirmed by WhatsApp, WeChat or email.
• Your guide will hold GoGrandChina welcome sign with your name, waiting at the appointed meeting place.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• Please note that if you book accommodation on Airbnb, you may not be picked up and dropped off at the door.
• We provide up to 20 minutes of waiting. If you don’t show up and cannot be contacted, this tour will be cancelled and you will receive no refund.

Hotel Pick-up & Transfer to Mengshan Mountain Buddha
Your private guide will be holding GoGrandChina pick-up sign and waiting for you in your hotel lobby (or other appointed meeting place) at the appointed time. You will be transferred to Mengshan Mountain Buddha (about 20km) in a comfortable private vehicle.

Visit Mengshan Mountain Buddha
The Mengshan Mountain Buddha was carved on a cliff face on Mengshan Mountain in the year 551, during China's Northern and Southern Dynasties. It is believed to be 162 years older than the world's largest sitting stone sculpture of the Buddha in Leshan, Sichuan Province. The Mengshan Buddha, 63 meters tall, was discovered in the 1980s with parts of it lost or buried in silt and rubbles. Continuous mining in the area led to geological disasters including landslides, ground collapses and fissures, leaving the giant statue in danger of collapse. In 2012 China's Ministry of Land Resources gave 10.8 million Yuan (£6.6million) towards restoring the remarkable statue. It was opened to tourists in 2008 after repair.

Visit Twin Pagoda Temple
The Twin Pagoda Temple, officially known as Yongzuo Temple is a temple containing two pagodas dating from the Ming dynasty. The East pagoda was built in 1597, and the West one in 1612. In charge of the pagoda’s construction was a high ranking monk, named Fodeng. By the 20th century, deterioration since construction had caused the East pagoda to slant from its center of gravity by 2.87 meters. In 1995, experts set about trying to correct the slant. They removed earth from underneath the pagoda and successfully corrected the pagoda's tilt. The pagodas are the tallest set of twin pagodas in China. They are both eight-cornered, with the lowest floor being comparatively taller than the rest, the size of the upper floors progressively decreasing. The West Pagoda is 54.78 meters tall, with the lowest floor’s circumference being 4.16 meters. The pagoda’s eaves are painted with emerald green glaze. The East Pagoda is 53.3 meters high, and the lowest floor’s circumference is 4.36 meters. On top of the East pagoda are three magic gourds, with the upper two parts being made of copper.

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

Visit Jinci Temple
The Jinci  Temple is the most prominent temple complex in Shanxi province. It was founded about 1,400 years ago and expanded during the following centuries, resulting in a diverse collection of more than 100 sculptures, buildings, terraces, and bridges. The best known structure at Jinci Temple is the Hall of the Holy Mother, which was constructed from 1023 to 1032 during the Song dynasty. It has carved wooden dragons coiled around the eight pillars that support its upward-curving double-eave roof. The complex includes a classical garden with a 3,000-year-old cypress dating from the Zhou Dynasty.

Visit Shanxi Museum
Shanxi is the important birthplace of Chinese civilization and a major historical staging post of ethnic integration and development. Shanxi museum, founded in 1919, is one of the oldest museums in China. There are more than 400,000 cultural relics in the collection, which represent the cultural essence of the province. Therefore it is the biggest centre for collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting cultural relics in Shanxi province. The permanent exhibition, themed as Jin Spirits, consists of 12 exhibition halls: the Cradle of Civilization, the Traces of Xia and Shang, the Accomplishments of the Jin Vassal State, the Melting pot of Different Nationalities, the Relics of Buddhism, the Hometown of Chinese Operas, Shanxi Merchants in 14-16th century, Chinese Ancient Architecture, Jade wares, Ceramics, Ancient Money and Paintings. These are displayed chronologically and local culture and art are highlighted and comprehensively illustrated.

Notice: Shanxi Museum is closed on Monday. This museum visit will be canceled if your tour happens to be on Monday.

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