01Stone, timber & extraordinary design
From Yungang to the Hanging Temple and Yingxian Pagoda, explore different materials, periods and expressions of belief.
Back to catalogue
CHINA / HANJOY TOURS · 11 days · reference itinerary
Beijing & Shanxi, a journey through craftsmanship
11 days from Beijing’s palace and Great Wall to carved grottoes, timber temples, merchant towns and the Yellow River: China through architecture and art.
01 / At a glance
The story of your journey
For travellers who can linger over a carved figure, timber joint or roofline, this route rewards attention. Beijing’s imperial architecture is the prologue. Shanxi takes the lead through Yungang’s sculpture, the Hanging Temple’s design, Yingxian’s wooden pagoda and the historical layers of Jinci and Pingyao.
Further south, the Wang Family Courtyard, Hukou Waterfall and Yunqiu Mountain move the story between homes, gorges and village landscapes. Xiaoxitian and Guangsheng Temple add sculptural detail and brilliant colour. Expect a rich cultural route with frequent road travel.
- Who it suits
- Architecture, Buddhist art and photography enthusiasts who are comfortable with frequent road travel.
- Travel rhythm
- A full cultural programme with steps, old streets, cave visits and several multi-stop days.
- Getting between places
- Beijing–Datong connection to confirm; mainly road travel in Shanxi; high-speed rail back from Linfen.
02 / Travel · Culture · Learning
Moments to remember
01
02Merchant stories within old walls
Pingyao’s walls, draft bank and government complex, paired with the Wang courtyard, bring commerce and family history to life.
03The Yellow River & rural landscapes
Hukou Waterfall, Yunqiu’s ice caves and Ta’erpo village add nature and local life to the architectural journey.
03 / 11 days · reference itinerary
A new discovery, every day
A customisable reference programme. Timings, activities, accommodation and transport are agreed in your confirmed itinerary and quotation.
- Day 01
Beijing
Arrive in the imperial capital
Transfer to your hotel and take time to rest after the journey. Depending on your arrival time, explore the Tian’anmen and Qianmen area, where monumental gateways meet historic shopping streets. Ease into Beijing over dinner before returning to the hotel.
- Day 02
Beijing
Palace stories & a taste of hutong life
Spend around three to four hours exploring the Forbidden City and the courtyards of the Ming and Qing imperial palace. In the afternoon, discover the hutongs, Houhai and a courtyard home, then try making dumplings and Chinese dishes. Discuss a hutong rickshaw ride when tailoring the programme.
Beijing - Day 03
Beijing
Imperial gardens & an evening at the opera
Walk through the Summer Palace’s lakeside landscapes, painted Long Corridor and Seventeen-Arch Bridge, allowing around three to four hours. Continue to the Temple of Heaven to explore imperial ritual architecture. An evening of Peking opera introduces its voices, gestures and costumes; performance schedules are confirmed for your dates.
- Day 04
Beijing
Great Wall views & colours of Chinese opera
Head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for roughly two to three hours of walking, adapting the distance to your energy. Back in Beijing, paint an opera mask and explore the meanings of its colours, with a Lord Rabbit figurine or folding-fan activity to be confirmed. Round off the day with Peking duck.
Beijing - Day 05
Beijing → Datong
Yungang, history carved into the cliff
Travel from Beijing to Datong, with the intercity connection to be confirmed. After settling in, explore the Yungang Grottoes and the figures, clothing and spaces of Northern Wei Buddhist art. Try Datong’s local cooking and enjoy an evening walk in the old city.
Beijing → Datong - Day 06
Datong → Yingxian → Xinzhou
Temples, cliffside architecture & a timber pagoda
Visit Huayan Temple, then the Hanging Temple to appreciate its cliffside construction. Continue to the Yingxian Wooden Pagoda before travelling to Xinzhou for the night. Access to the Hanging Temple and the pagoda’s interior is subject to local rules; driving and visit times need careful coordination on this multi-stop day.
Datong → Yingxian → Xinzhou - Day 07
Xinzhou → Taiyuan → Pingyao
Jinci architecture & Pingyao’s merchant stories
Travel via Taiyuan to Jinci, including the Holy Mother Hall and the Flying Bridge over the Fish Pond. Continue to Pingyao for its walls, Rishengchang draft bank, county government complex and historic streets. The reference suggests a local inn and specialities such as Pingyao beef and wantuo; the order and accommodation need confirmation.
Xinzhou → Taiyuan → Pingyao - Day 08
Pingyao → Hukou → Yunqiu Mountain
Courtyard craftsmanship & the force of the Yellow River
Visit the Wang Family Courtyard in Jingsheng for brick, stone and wood carving. Continue to Hukou Waterfall, where the Yellow River gathers into a dramatic gorge, then travel to the Yunqiu Mountain area for the night. Water conditions vary seasonally, and this day includes substantial road travel.
Pingyao → Hukou → Yunqiu Mountain - Day 09
Yunqiu Mountain → Linfen
Ice caves, village life & a mountain valley
Explore Yunqiu Mountain and its ice caves, checking visiting conditions in advance. In the afternoon, discover Ta’erpo village and Shenxian Valley, with traditional homes, farming tools and everyday local culture. Continue to Linfen in the evening for regional food, including local noodle dishes.
- Day 10
Linfen · Xixian · Hongtong
Sculpted worlds & the colours of Guangsheng Temple
Visit Xiaoxitian in Xixian for its intricate suspended sculptures and painted timberwork. Continue to Guangsheng Temple in Hongtong and the glazed colours of Feihong Pagoda. The source also mentions an underground-palace visit, but access is unverified and is not guaranteed. Confirm the return arrangements for the Linfen area in the final programme.
Linfen · Xixian · Hongtong - Day 11
Linfen → Beijing
Return to Beijing by high-speed train
Return to Beijing by high-speed train after breakfast, completing the 11-day reference route. For an onward international flight, allow a suitable connection based on the actual train, airport and flight times. An extra Beijing night may be needed; onward travel and extra accommodation are not confirmed inclusions.
Travel · Culture · Learning
Taste the places you visit
Datong cooking, Xinzhou snacks, Pingyao beef, wantuo and Linfen noodles trace Shanxi’s flavours. Meals and dietary restrictions are confirmed before travel.
04 / HANJOY TOURS
The details that make it your trip
Plan with us
Access to historic buildings, the pagoda interior, caves and any special visits depends on local opening rules. Review driving times and any international flight connection after the day-11 train before confirmation.
Is this a fixed group departure?
These are customisable reference journeys, without advertised fixed departure dates or remaining places. We can discuss changes for your group, interests, language and walking ability. Travel arrangements and services are agreed in the confirmation documents.
What is included in the price?
Request a written quotation specifying accommodation, room type, transport, meals, admissions, guiding language, workshops and performances. International flights, visas, insurance, tips and optional activities must also be clearly addressed. A listed activity does not mean its cost is included.
Can I request English or French services?
You can enquire in Chinese, English or French. Let us know your preferred guiding language; availability, personnel and any related costs in each destination must be confirmed before booking.
HANJOY TOURS
Every journey starts with a conversation.
Tell us where you would like to go and what interests you: culture, language, art, nature or study.
You can also email us directly.
bobwu1987@gmail.comChina
Another way to discover China
13 days · reference itinerary
China, from emperors to everyday life
13 days from Beijing’s palaces and Xi’an’s Terracotta Army to Chengdu’s teahouses and Shanghai’s riverfront. Discover the icons, then look a little closer.
Itinerary and quote on request
Find out more
12 days · reference itinerary
Beijing & Jiangnan, gardens by the water
12 days from Beijing’s grand scale to the intimate gardens and canals of Suzhou and Hangzhou, with silk, embroidery and Shanghai along the way.
Itinerary and quote on request
Find out more
12 days · reference itinerary
Beijing & Yunnan, mountains and living traditions
A 12-day outline from the imperial capital to Erhai Lake, tea country and highland towns, shaped by tie-dye, pottery and the flavours of Yunnan.
Itinerary and quote on request
Find out more