13 Days Pingyao International Photography Festival Tour
Destination:Beijing, Pingyao, Shanghai, Taiyuan, Xi'an
Tour Code: CPT04
Tour Duration: 13 Days
- Tour overview:
- Pingyao, one of the ancient city that are well preserved, is known for its historical culture as well as Lijiang of Yunnan. In Pingyao you will be immerged in the old sights, e.g. Ancient City Wall, Rishengchang Draft Bank, Ming and Qing Street, etc. And the best amazing highlights in China, including Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, Yuyuan Garden,the Bund… will be included within this tour for your remarkable photographing...
Day by Day Itinerary
Tour Summary
Reviews
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
Day 1
Beijing Arrival
Transfer via: International flight on your own arrangement
Upon your arrival you will be greeted by our local guide and then transferred to your hotel by a private air-conditioned car. For the rest of the day you will enjoy some leisure time.
Day 2
Beijing (B, L)
Sightseeing: Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City
Our morning photo-shoot will take place at the Temple of Heaven, which was completed in 1420, and expanded over the years by two Qing Dynasty Emperors. It was the place where the Emperor came every winter solstice to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest. With the three blue-tiled cone-shaped roofs, a unique wooden and blue-tiled structure built without a nail, it has become a worldwide symbol of Beijing.
Then move onto Tiananmen Square, the symbolical heart of China and gathering place for the masses. It is the biggest public square in the world, which can hold one million people.
The afternoon is devoted to photographing the Forbidden City. Experience the ancient Emperor's daily life. For 5 centuries Chinese emperors carried out their administration here. With almost 10,000 rooms, it was the centre of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a massive complex of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens where 24 emperors used to live. Forbidden City was the largest palace in the world, and in the past it was indeed a forbidden place for commoners. Your tour here will include private access to the Emperor's palace.
Day 3
Beijing (B, L)
Sightseeing: Summer Palace
In the morning we will visit the Summer Palace, Equally famous as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is called "Yiheyuan" (Garden of Nurtured Harmony) in Chinese. Until nowadays, it is the best preserved and the largest imperial garden in China. You will regret it if you leave Beijing without having visited this grand imperial garden.
Then we will photograph the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) and the National Swimming Centre(The Water Cube). Stay overnight near Jinshanling Great Wall.
Afternoon, we drive to Jinshanling and shoot the sunset over the Great Wall. Jinshanling Great Wall, located about eight kilometers (five miles) southeast of the Bakeshiying Township in Luanping County in Hebei Province, starts from the Wangjinglou Tower in the east and ends at Longyukou in the west; The 20-kilometer-long structure, although a bit smaller and narrower compared to Badaling Great Wall and Mutianyu Great Wall features complicated and well preserved fortifications systems and fantastic natural scenery.
Day 4
Beijing to Pingyao (B, L)
Transfer Via: High speed train on our arrangement
Sightseeing: photo shoot Sunrise over the Great Wall, Hike along the Great Wall
If weather permits, this morning we will get up early to photograph the sunrise over the magnificent Great Wall. After sunrise photo shoot, we take a short hike along the Great Wall for some more photo opportunities.
Late afternoon, we will drive back to Beijing railway station to take high speed train to Pingyao.
Day 5
Pingyao (B, L)
Sightseeing: Ancient City Wall, Rishengchang Draft Bank, Ming-Qing Street
You will have a half day orientation tour of this ancient walled city to familiarize yourself with the venues of the photography festival. Visit to the Ancient City Wall in Pingyao Town located in the middle of Shanxi Province. First built about 2,700 years ago, it was expanded in the Ming and Qing Dynasty. It is the most well-preserved wall among the ancient historical and cultural cities in China, and also an early and largest city wall in Shanxi Province. The present city wall is mainly in the form and structure of Ming Dynasty, with a total length of 6.4 kilometers.
Rishengchang Draft Bank is a financial institute which appeared from Qing Dynasty, the earliest draft bank is Rishengchang Draft Bank, whose owner is the Li Family of Pingyao County of Shanxi Province. It was mainly devoted in handling remittance, money exchange, deposit, loan and other financial business. There were 35 branches in China's big and medium-sized cities. Its business covered Europe, America and Southeast Asia. And the Rishengchang Draft Bank had been the financial center of China for about 100 years.
The Ming-Qing Street is located in the South Street of the town. With a length of 440 meters, the street used to be the commercial center of Pingyao ancient city. The traditional and orderly-located shops of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are still well preserved. The cross-street Town House is the highest building of the city (18.5 meters high). On its top, you can take a whole view of the Ming–Qing Street. Walking along the street, tourists can get the first-hand experience of ancient China.
Day 6
Pingyao (B)
A free day to explore the photography festival (usually held in September each year), visit workshops and galleries or take your own shots.
Day 7
Pingyao (B)
A free day to explore the photography festival, visit workshops and galleries or take your own shots.
Day 8
Pingyao to Xi'an (B, L)
Transfer via: High speed train on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Jin Si
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Taiyuan, stopping off at Jinci Temple with time to view and photograph this fabulous old temple. Then continuing onto Taiyuan with free time until you catch the high speed train to Xi'an.
Day 9
Xi'an (B, L)
Sightseeing: Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell Tower
In the morning, you will visit and photo-shoot the amazing 2000-year-old Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. Regarded as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Over 2,200 years ago, the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang in search of immortality, ordered the construction of a vast army of Terra-cotta warriors and buried with him to protect his empire after his early death.
Another highlight today is to photographing the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Situated at south of the Xi'an city, as one of the main constructions in the famous Buddhist temple - Da Ci En Temple, where Famous Buddhist Master Xuanzang (Monk Tripitaka) stored his well-preserved collection of classic Buddhist artifacts brought from India in Tang Dynasty. Now it is the Landmark of the Xi'an.
Then we go on to visit the Bell Tower, which is the most well-preserved and best-known one among many ancient cities of China. The Bell Tower was built in 1384. In early morning of ancient times it had the mission of ringing the bell and giving the correct time to the whole city, so it is called "The Bell Tower". With magnificent carved beams and painted rafters, this classical building is truly elegant.
Day 10
Xi'an to Shanghai (B, L)
Transfer via: Flight on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Ancient City Wall, Shaanxi Provincial Museum
This morning, we will have photo-shots at Ancient City Wall. You will experience a half-hour's hike along the Ancient City Wall. It is the largest and best preserved present city wall in ancient China and is probably the best military battlement in the world. If you want to, you can rent a bicycle for a ride on top of the spectacular city wall. The wall was built in the Tang dynasty (618-907) and enlarged in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Then we will move on to visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. It is a magnificent architectural complex in the Tang Dynasty style. The Museum possesses a treasure of 113,000 historic and cultural artifacts unearthed in Shaanxi, and it covers an area of 1,100 square meters for exhibition.In the afternoon, you will be transferred to airport for flight to Shanghai.
Day 11
Shanghai (B, L)
Sightseeing: Yuyuan Garden, Old Shanghai, the Bund
Early morning arrival in Shanghai. You will be met and transferred to your hotel to freshen up.
Then, we will take a relaxing walk to the lovely Yuyuan Garden, a beautiful garden in the south of the Yangtze River. Wandering through it, you will find pavilions, corridors, streams, courtyards as well as many other natural features.
Once entering Shanghai Old Street, you would feel returning to the bustling market of Shanghai 100 years ago when Shanghai was made the first open port. Here you can find the folk life style of old Shanghai, a miniature of old Shanghai Downtown Street. It is a characteristic street centered on tourism, shopping and culture-exhibition. Various old stores are gathered here: exchange shops, jewelry shops, taverns, tea houses, theatrical stages and business houses… Known as Fangband Road, it is always the "crowd corridor" with a total of 825 meters, being adjacent to the Yuyuan Garden Bazaar Area and runs in an east-west direction from Zhonghua Road to Henan Road South.
Afterwards, you will take a walk to the famous Nanjing Road and the Bund. They are among the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai and therefore a must-see when visiting Shanghai
Day 12
Shanghai (B)
Today is a free day for you to explore the metropolis by yourself. You can do some shopping as your like.
Day 13
Shanghai Departure (B)
Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Your time is your own, until our guide escorts you to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
Tour Dates | Destinations | Services Provided | Meals Included | ||||||||||||||
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Day 1 |
Beijing
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Arrive in Beijing, be met and transferred to your hotel.
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Day 2 |
Beijing
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Our morning photo-shoot will take place at The Temple of Heaven , Then move onto Tiananmen Square . This afternoon is devoted to photographing the Forbidden City .
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Day 3 |
Beijing
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In the morning we visit the Summer Palace , and then we will photograph the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest/Olympic Stadium) and the National Swimming Centre('The Water Cube') Beijing . Afternoon, we drive to Jinshanling Great Wall and shoot the sunset over the Great Wall. Stay overnight near Jinshanling Great Wall. |
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Day 4 |
Beijing/Pingyao
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If weather permits, this morning we will get up early to photograph the sunrise over the magnificent Great Wall.
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Day 5 |
Pingyao
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You will have a half day orientation tour of this ancient walled city to familiarize yourself with the venues of the photography festival (usually held in September each year). Visit the Ancient City Wall of Pingyao , Rishengchang Draft Bank and The Ming-Qing Street .
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Day 6 |
Pingyao
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A free day to explore the photography festival, visit workshops and galleries or take your own shots.
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Day 7 |
Pingyao
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A free day to explore the photography festival, visit workshops and galleries or take your own shots.
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Day 8 |
Pingyao/Taiyuan/Xi'an
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After breakfast, you will be transferred to Taiyuan, stopping off at Jinci Temple with time to view and photograph this fabulous old temple. Then continuing onto Taiyuan with free time until you catch the high speed train to Xi’an.
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Day 9 |
Xi'an
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In the morning visit and photographing The Terracotta Army and Horses , the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the Bell Tower .
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Day 10 |
Xi'an/Shanghai
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In the morning, visit the Ancient City Wall and Shaanxi Provincial Museum . In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for flight to Shanghai.
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Day 11 |
Shanghai
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In the morning start the city tour to the Yuyuan Garden Old Shanghai, and strolling along The Bund .
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Day 12 |
Shanghai
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Free time.
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Day 13 |
Shanghai
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Free at leisure till be transferred to airport for your flight departure. |
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-NOTE:
1. Normally hotels allow a maximum of 3 adults per room with an extra bed, at extra charge. Some hotels will allow three adults and a small child.
2. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
3. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.
Price Includes
A. Entrance fees:To scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary.
B. Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary.
C. Private Transfers: Among airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the above cities by the private air conditioned vehicle.
D. Guide and Driver: As outlined in the itinerary, a well selected English-speaking guide and driver will accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.
E. Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
F. Luggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels.
G. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
H. Travel insurance in mainland China during the above travel period.
I. Arrangements: The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
Had an amazing experience with visitourchina during my recent tour to Zhangjiajie. Lisa was very helpful and catered to all my requests for the tour. We wished we had more days to see more of Zhangjiajie. As we are travelling with my elderly parents, we requested for more elderly-friendly itinerary in Zhangjiajie. Even though the trip is still a bit tough for my mum as she has knee problems, my family still enjoyed the tour. Special thank you to Lisa and Max, our guide.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241116
- Tour Starting Date:Saturday, 16 November 2024
- Client's information:Vanessa,Singapore

The services rendered from the travel agency is prompt. Very responsive and cater my tour according to my requests. The tour guides assigned to us were also caring and helpful. I continue to seek inquiries after our tour ended and they continued to response promptly. This is my second trip with this company and will continue to engage them when I next return to China.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241103
- Tour Starting Date:Sunday, 3 November 2024
- Client's information:Wendy, Singapore

How to navigate China for the second time after 45 years for a couple over 70 years old? We spent part of our honeymoon in China in 1978 together with a Spanish speaking tour group when China just opened its door to the outside world. It was the era of "Friendship stores" and "food ration coupons". Tourists could only shop at government designated stores and the ordinary local people lived on rationed food, notwithstanding, tourists were treated with the highest honor and the best of everything including food. By then, the main transportation tool in cities were bicycles. From balconies of hotels, we saw never ending long queue of people on bicycles heading to work every morning. Since then, China has developed into a super modern and industrialized country. Shopping is a bliss nowadays. Motorized vehicles and lots of EV has replaced a huge part of the fleet of human-driven bicycles since. Infrastructure-wise China is the pioneer nowadays. Over the years, the only retained memories are the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Pandas. There was an incident which I could not forget either. We went to a theater at night for an opera and I lost my wallet with all my documents and some money ( a small fortune for the Chinese people by then). I was very nervous and didn't know what to do. When we got back to the hotel, my wallet was waiting for me at the reception. Somebody found it at the theatre and sent it to the hotel where we were lodged. Everything was back, nothing missing. Again, it was 1978! Impressed! So, we wanted to visit China again to revive the lost sweet memories and hoping to gain more of them. Being seniors, we don't have the energy to follow a vigorous group tour anymore. Could we plan and schedule our own tour in this wonderland like the modern China? The answer is simple, No! I don't know the language well enough and have no knowledge of the city areas for choices like accommodations and transportations. In order to travel safely, efficient...
- Booking Code:VOC-20241016B
- Tour Starting Date:Wednesday, 16 October 2024
- Client's information:Cheng, Canada

I found Lisa from Trip Advisor and started chatting with her and send my requirements for which she planned excellent tours for me in between my spare time during Canton Fair. She planned and managed the trip so well and professionally and provided me with such an excellent follow up services that we ended up becoming very good friends. A wonderful person to look into for all your China Travel needs. Highly recommended for good planning, timing, and organization of your vacation.
- Booking Code:VOC-20241009
- Tour Starting Date:Wednesday, 9 October 2024
- Client's information:Ismail Soni,Canada

Booked a 2 day private tour of Xi’an with Grace as our local tour guide. Really good service from both the booking agent Lisa as well as Grace and the driver Mr Wang. Managed to see all the big sights including Terracotta Warriors, City Wall, Bell Tower and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. They took care of everything and gave good local food recommendations. Travelled with my father who walks quite slow, but they managed to accomodate him no problem. 10/10 would recommend.
- Booking Code:VOC-20240723
- Tour Starting Date:Tuesday, 23 July 2024
- Client's information:Julian,Singapore
Hello, dear Lisa! Happy to be in Guilin and very pleased to meet you! Thank you for a wonderful tours!!! Every day is filled with magnificient views and unforgetable moments! I would like to Thank you for all these events! Special thanks for Beijing tour. Happy to visit so many places in China ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ wonderful country and wonderful people! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Both tours to Guilin and Beijing were amazing! I visited so many wonderful places! The guides were very friendly and hospitable, thanks for everything! Happy to choose this agency because the programme included all interesting places and they did their best to make my Dreams come true!
- Booking Code:VOC-20240713
- Tour Starting Date:Saturday, 13 July 2024
- Client's information:Elena, Russia
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