Advice needed with Shanxi self tours

Question

We arrive in Beijing for 3 nights iand will train to Datong and stay for another three nights there to allow time to explore the nearby popular temples etc. From the search , Pingyao has more attraction than TaiYuan. Due to time constraint , we may just stop by Taiyuan en roue to PingYao or should we just train directly to PingYao?

We intend to spend 3 nights in Pingyao with the possibility of taking a side tour to Hukuo Waterfalls and back to PingYao and train direct from PingYao to Xi'an. I am also considering staying 2 nights in Pingyao and go to Hukuo Waterfall and head directly from there to Xi'an. It is quite a long way ( 350 Km) to Xi'an by car after an early start from Pingyao to the waterfall on the same day. Which option is better? The other option is to spend a night somewhere to break the journey between waterfall and Xi'an. If so, where would that be? Appreciate some input please. Thank you.

Answer

Your travel plan through Shanxi sounds well thought out, and it’s great that you’re allowing time to explore the province’s cultural and natural highlights. Datong and Pingyao are both excellent destinations, offering very different experiences — Datong for its Buddhist grottoes and temples, and Pingyao for its preserved Ming and Qing architecture. Below is some detailed advice on how to structure your itinerary and travel route.

Since you’ll be traveling from Beijing to Datong first, then onward to Pingyao and Xi’an, the route makes geographical sense. Taiyuan, though the provincial capital, doesn’t have much to offer tourists compared with Pingyao, and it’s often used only as a transportation hub.

Option 1: Skip Taiyuan and go directly to Pingyao — This is the most efficient and recommended choice. You can take a high-speed train from Datong South Station to Pingyao Ancient City Station (a few hours, depending on the schedule). Taiyuan can be skipped unless you need to make a train transfer, as most travelers find Pingyao’s ancient charm far more rewarding.
Option 2: Brief stop in Taiyuan — If you do wish to stop in Taiyuan, it can be for a quick visit to the Jinci Temple or the Shanxi Museum, but there’s no need to spend a night there. You could just use it as a lunch or rest stop before continuing on to Pingyao the same day.

Regarding your second concern about visiting Hukou Waterfall, you’re right that it’s quite a long day trip from Pingyao. The distance from Pingyao to Hukou Waterfall is roughly 260 km (about 4 to 5 hours by car one way), and continuing directly from the waterfall to Xi’an (another 350 km or about 6 hours) makes it an extremely long and tiring travel day.

Option A: Day trip from Pingyao to Hukou and back — This is doable but will make for a long day (10–12 hours round trip). It’s best if you hire a private driver or join a small local tour to save time and hassle. You can return to Pingyao in the evening and rest before heading to Xi’an the next day by train.
Option B: Visit Hukou and continue directly to Xi’an — Possible, but it’s a tough journey, especially if you’re self-driving or relying on private transport. You’ll spend most of the day in transit, and fatigue could reduce your enjoyment. Only advisable if you’re short on days and prefer to minimize backtracking.
Option C: Stop overnight between Hukou and Xi’an — This is the most comfortable option if you wish to travel at a slower pace. You could spend the night in Yan’an, which is about halfway between Hukou and Xi’an. Yan’an is a historically significant city with revolutionary heritage sites and comfortable hotels. The next day, you can take a 3-hour drive or a high-speed train from Yan’an to Xi’an.

In summary, the most practical itinerary would be to skip Taiyuan, spend 3 nights in Pingyao, take a day trip to Hukou Waterfall, and then travel comfortably by high-speed train to Xi’an the following day. If you want a more relaxed pace and to experience more of the countryside, consider an overnight stay in Yan’an after visiting Hukou before heading to Xi’an.

This approach balances sightseeing and travel time without making the journey too exhausting, while still allowing you to experience Shanxi’s best cultural and natural highlights.

Advice needed with Shanxi self tours

More Pingyao County Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions