Longmen Grottoes or Pingyao enroute from Beijing to Xian???

Question

Now drilling down to the detail of our trip next month.

Initial plan is 5 nights in Beijing with arrival early evening on Day 1 and departure to Xian by train on Day 6.

Initially wasn't wanting to madly do a different location every 2 days, however whilst researching I have come across lots of wonderful destinations so now wondering if we can ramp pace a bit to cover more!!

We could leave Beijing on Day 5 (after 4 nights) and squeeze a trip in to Pingyao or Longmen Grottoes (after seeing on TV this week!!)

Welcome comments as to whether this 5th day and night would be better spent exploring deeper into Beijing or heading to Xian a day earlier and via night in either Pingyao or Longmen/ Luoyang??

Thank you again for helping with my holiday planning!

Answer

Hello! Considering your itinerary and options for squeezing in an extra destination between Beijing and Xi’an, here’s a detailed analysis to help you decide.

Option 1: Longmen Grottoes / Luoyang

The Longmen Grottoes are near Luoyang, about 4–5 hours by high-speed train from Beijing. A day trip from Beijing is technically possible but quite rushed; an overnight in Luoyang would be more comfortable.
The grottoes are extensive, with thousands of Buddhist statues and carvings. Visiting requires at least 3–4 hours for a good experience, plus transport time.
If you take this route, you could leave Beijing on Day 5 morning, travel to Luoyang, explore the grottoes in the afternoon, and spend the night in Luoyang. Then take a morning or afternoon train to Xi’an, which is about 3–4 hours.

Option 2: Pingyao

Pingyao is a well-preserved ancient city in Shanxi province, about 4–5 hours from Beijing by high-speed train (to nearby Taiyuan, then local transfer) or slower direct train (~6 hours).
The city offers a full day of walking through the old town, city walls, and historic streets. One night in Pingyao is recommended to experience evening lighting and avoid a rushed day trip.
From Pingyao, you could continue to Xi’an by high-speed train (~3–4 hours), giving you an efficient route.

Considerations:

Both options add extra travel and require early starts and careful planning, but are feasible if you are comfortable with a fast-paced schedule.
If you prefer to relax and explore Beijing more deeply (temples, hutongs, museums, Great Wall sections like Jinshanling or Simatai), staying the 5th day in Beijing is less stressful.
Pingyao is more compact and walkable, offering a full historic experience, while Longmen Grottoes involve more travel but are spectacular for history and art enthusiasts.

Suggested approach:

If your priority is history, architecture, and cultural immersion, Pingyao is ideal.
If you want to see monumental art and ancient carvings, Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang are unbeatable.
Both require at least one night in the area to make the visit worthwhile; a same-day trip is possible but very rushed and tiring.

In summary, you can leave Beijing a day early and include either Pingyao or Luoyang/Longmen, but be prepared for longer travel and less downtime. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, spend the extra day exploring Beijing.

Longmen Grottoes or Pingyao enroute from Beijing to Xian???

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