Shanxi Tour advice needed please

Question

We have about 10 days . Just started to plan for a tour in Shanxi area. Questions below:

1. We are flying from Singapore , which city do we fly into? Beijing or Shanghai? If it's Beijing, is it better to fly domestic flight or take high speed train from Beijing to Taiyuan?

2. A proposed itinerary please for this area including Pingyao and Datong . How do we go around these places ( mode of transport and route)?

3. Looking at the map, Datong is more north. So if we take a train from Beijing to Datong, then train to Taiyuan and go further south to Pingyao and fly or train from Pingyao to beijing to fly back to Singapore?

Really appreciate some advice please. Thank you

Answer

Planning a 10-day tour in Shanxi, including Pingyao and Datong, is very doable and allows you to experience historical sites, ancient architecture, and cultural highlights. Here’s a detailed guide for your questions.

1. Entry City from Singapore:

Most international flights from Singapore to China arrive in either Beijing or Shanghai. For Shanxi, Beijing is the better option due to its proximity to Datong and Taiyuan.
From Beijing, you have two main options to reach Shanxi:

High-speed train: Beijing to Datong is about 3–4 hours, and Beijing to Taiyuan is about 3–4 hours as well. Trains are comfortable, reliable, and easy to book online in advance.
Domestic flight: Beijing to Taiyuan is about 1 hour. This can save time but may be more expensive and involves airport transfers.

2. Proposed Itinerary:

Here is a sample 10-day itinerary covering the main attractions and transport suggestions:

Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, overnight in Beijing.
Day 2: Take high-speed train to Datong (3–4 hours). Explore Datong city and local cuisine.
Day 3: Visit Yungang Grottoes, Huayan Monastery, and Nine Dragon Screen. Overnight in Datong.
Day 4: Train or private car to Taiyuan (3–4 hours). Explore Taiyuan city if time permits.
Day 5: Visit Jinci Temple and Shanxi museums in Taiyuan. Overnight in Taiyuan.
Day 6: Travel from Taiyuan to Pingyao (about 2 hours by high-speed train). Explore Pingyao ancient city, city walls, and streets.
Day 7–8: Explore Pingyao in depth: Rishengchang Exchange Shop, Confucian Temple, and surrounding villages or countryside. Overnight in Pingyao.
Day 9: Return to Taiyuan by train (about 2 hours) for onward travel or to connect to Beijing.
Day 10: Take train or flight back to Beijing to catch your return flight to Singapore.

3. Transport Tips:

High-speed trains are convenient, punctual, and comfortable. Booking online in advance is recommended.
Domestic flights can save time for long distances, but airports may require longer transfers.
Within cities like Datong, Taiyuan, and Pingyao, taxis or ride-hailing apps (Didi) are convenient for sightseeing. Pingyao is compact and can largely be explored on foot.
Sequence suggestion: Beijing → Datong → Taiyuan → Pingyao → Taiyuan → Beijing. This minimizes backtracking and allows smoother transfers.

Overall, using Beijing as your entry point, traveling by high-speed train for intercity connections, and exploring Pingyao on foot provides an efficient and enjoyable itinerary for a 10-day Shanxi tour.

Shanxi Tour advice needed please

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