Meet your driver and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free after your journey. An optional neighborhood walk can be suggested nearby, without committing to a timed attraction on arrival day.
9-Day Beijing, Pingyao & Xian Heritage Tour
Beijing - Pingyao - Xian
Private planning around your dates and interestsThree historic cities connected by rail
Add the lived-in lanes and merchant history of Pingyao to a classic Beijing and Xian journey. Three Beijing nights cover imperial sights and a dedicated Great Wall day; two nights in Pingyao allow a full old-town visit between train journeys. The tour finishes with three nights in Xian and time for both the Terracotta Army and the historic city. Compare this itinerary with our wider collection of China tours.
9 days / 8 nights Itinerary at a Glance
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights
- Route
- Beijing - Pingyao - Xian
- Long-distance travel
- Confirmed daytime rail connections and private transfers
- Tour format
- Customizable private tour
Trip Highlights Code: CN-09-09
- Give the Great Wall a dedicated day.
- Stay inside or near Pingyao Ancient City for two nights.
- Travel between the three bases by confirmed rail connections.
- Combine the Terracotta Army with a separate Xian city day.
Plan with Confidence: Clear inclusions, confirmed travel arrangements and a personalized itinerary before booking.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
INTERACTIVE ROUTE MAP
9-Day Beijing, Pingyao & Xian Heritage Tour
Drag to explore, use + / − to zoom, and select a numbered stop for details.
Explore the Forbidden City with a guide when the required reservation is confirmed, then view the palace roofs from Jingshan Park. Sightseeing order is adjusted around opening days. Allow time for a proper lunch and rest between walking sections.
Travel to Mutianyu for a dedicated Great Wall visit. Choose a walking section and any available lift option according to your preferences. Return to Beijing in the afternoon; avoid combining this out-of-town excursion with a long list of city attractions.
Transfer to the station for a confirmed train connection to Pingyao, then continue to your accommodation near the ancient city. Take a gentle orientation walk after check-in. The exact rail service is selected before the final itinerary is confirmed.
Explore the historic streets, former banking premises and merchant courtyards with a guide. Include a city-wall section if it suits your walking comfort. Stay a second night so the town can be enjoyed beyond the busiest daytime hours.
Travel by a suitable daytime train to Xian with private transfers at both ends. Settle into the hotel, then enjoy a short orientation around the central city if time permits. No major ticketed visit depends on the train arriving early.
Make a guided excursion to the Terracotta Army, allowing time in the main exhibition areas without rushing back for another distant sight. Return to Xian after lunch. The evening is free for your own restaurant choice or a separately arranged food walk.
Visit a selected stretch of the City Wall and explore the historic lanes around the Muslim Quarter. A museum or pagoda-area visit can be included according to reservations and interests. Cycling on the wall is optional and depends on conditions and eligibility.
Your driver takes you to Xian airport or the appropriate railway station. Keep the departure day clear of distant sightseeing. A Shanghai or Chengdu extension can be planned as a separate next stage.
Private Tour Reference Prices
Estimated starting prices in USD per adult for the full 9-day / 8-night itinerary, sharing twin or double rooms.
2 adults traveling togetherUSD 2,190from / person
4 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,750from / person
6 adults traveling togetherUSD 1,590from / person
Headline price basis: Four adults traveling together, using two twin or double rooms. City stays use comfortable 4-star hotels; village and remote stays use selected local guesthouses or boutique accommodation. The Accommodation tab shows the overnight bases.
Transport included in the estimate: Beijing–Pingyao and Pingyao–Xian second-class rail, with private station and sightseeing transfers.
For this route: Core Beijing heritage visits, the planned Great Wall visit, Pingyao heritage admission and the Terracotta Army are budgeted. Optional shows and cycling are extra.
Single-room supplement: From USD 480 per person for the full itinerary, added to the applicable twin-sharing group price. Solo private tours, odd-numbered groups and children receive a separate quote.
Dates and confirmation: These are planning estimates for standard-season travel, excluding Chinese public holidays, peak summer dates and major local festivals. Hotel and transport availability, room upgrades and itinerary changes can affect the price. Your dated quotation confirms the final total and inclusions before booking.
Get a Quote for My DatesTypical Overnight Bases
Only places used by this itinerary are shown below. The final hotel list follows confirmed transport, season and room availability; upgrades and room preferences can be customized.
Beijing
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quotePingyao
2 nights · Selected local guesthouse or boutique stay; final property confirmed in your quoteXian
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quote
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quotePingyao
2 nights · Selected local guesthouse or boutique stay; final property confirmed in your quoteXian
3 nights · Comfortable 4-star city or resort hotel; final property confirmed in your quote
✓ Price Includes
- The reference price budgets for the following services; your dated quotation confirms the final arrangements
- 8 nights in twin or double rooms: comfortable 4-star city hotels and selected local boutique or guesthouse stays; cruise cabin where specified
- Daily hotel breakfast
- Private arrival, departure and sightseeing transfers on the base itinerary
- English-speaking local guides on scheduled sightseeing days; no full-time escort on independent leisure or rail/flight sectors
- Standard admission and mandatory scenic transport for the base sightseeing program, as specified in Prices
- Beijing–Pingyao and Pingyao–Xian second-class rail, with private station and sightseeing transfers.
⊘ Price Excludes
- International flights and transport to the first city or from the final city; domestic flights except any allowance expressly listed in Prices
- Lunches, dinners and drinks except the meals specifically included above
- Optional activities, alternative excursions and upgrades identified in the route-specific price notes
- Single-room supplements, extra nights, upgraded rooms and changes to the base itinerary
- Personal travel insurance, entry-document costs, personal purchases and discretionary gratuities
Who Is This Tour For?
This route suits travelers interested in heritage & ancient cities who want 9 days to explore Beijing, Pingyao, Xian.
Hotel standard, walking pace and optional experiences are agreed before confirmation. Share your priorities so the final route remains practical for your group.
Travel Tips for This Itinerary
- Real-name attraction and rail reservations are confirmed for your travel dates.
- Pingyao guesthouses may have steps and limited vehicle access.
- Choose comfortable shoes for palace grounds, city walls and old-town paving.
- Review our guide to China high-speed train travel before any rail sector.
- Check current entry requirements early with the China visa guide.
- Read our practical China travel tips for packing, payments and daily preparation.
- Daily hotel breakfast is included in the estimate. Other meals are included only where specified under Prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why include two nights in Pingyao?
The full day between rail journeys makes time for the ancient city’s courtyards and streets without rushing through it as a short stopover.
Is the Forbidden City guaranteed?
The visit depends on obtaining the required reservation. The team confirms availability and any necessary change before finalizing your program.
How many nights does this itinerary include?
The published 9-day route includes 8 overnight stays. The Accommodation tab lists the actual bases and night counts. Extra arrival or departure nights can be quoted separately.
What does the starting price mean?
The estimated starting price is USD 1,750 per person for four adults traveling together and sharing twin or double rooms in standard season. The Prices tab also shows estimates for two and six adults, the single-room supplement and route-specific inclusions. Send your dates for a confirmed quotation.
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