Home > Build your trip > China modules > Northern China Tours > Raise the red lantern
Traditional China - Lively small streets

Raise the Red Lantern

Route: Beijing - Pingyao - Xi'an (or vice versa)

Pingyao is one of the best kept cities dating back to the Ming dynasty, conveniently located on the route from Beijing from Xian. Surrounded by an authentic city wall, you’ll stroll through a maze of small, cobbled stone streets during this traditional China trip. Everywhere you look you’ll see red Chinese lanterns which create a magical glow in the evenings.

To avoid the crowds, it’s best to get up early and stroll through hidden alleys and quiet corners. You’ll pass temples, historic buildings and small museums. If you would like to go on a bike ride, visit the Buddhist Zhenguo Lotus Temple and the courtyard of the Qiao Family. This is where the famous Chinese movie, 'Raise the Red Lantern' was filmed.

If you'd like to start building your China holiday, take a look at our bite-sized China trips. Or alternatively, you can choose from one of our ready-made holidays in China.
Duration: 4 days/ 3 nights Departure: Daily from Beijing (it is also possible to travel from Xi'an instead)
Comfort level (1-4): 3 (see accommodation) Accommodation: 1 night in a double occupancy room in a courtyard hotel (accommodation only), 2 nights in a hard sleeper (night train)
Price per person: £145 per person - based on 2 people sharing Included: Transport, accommodation
Transport: Night train Beijing - Pingyao and Pingyao - Xi'an Excluded: Meals and drinks, excursions and entrance fees

Day 1: Beijing - Pingyao

This traditional China trip usually departs from Beijing, and we’ll make arrange for a transfer to take you to the train station. Once you arrive at the station you will have time to have something to eat and buy some snacks for the journey ahead.

You will then find your platform and get onto the train (the ticket inspector will help you find your carriage). Your bunk bed will be ready and waiting for you when you get on the train. You will then have some time to talk to the fellow travellers on the train before going to bed. Click here for more information on China train trips.

If you are travelling in the opposite direction and departing from Xian, we’ll arrange a train to Pingyao, travelling on to Beijing.
Traditional China - Train to Pingyao
Traditional China - Local men

Day 2: Arrival in Pingyao

On the second day of your traditional China trip your arrive in Pingyao around 7am. Our representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel; the drive will only take about 5 minutes. You’ll stay in a traditional China courtyard hotel. Like most courtyard hotels in China, this hotel was built in local style with many little staircases, vistas and a patio. Once your room is ready you can freshen up and have some breakfast.

Then it’s time to really begin your traditional China trip. We recommend taking a stroll through the small streets in the town centre. As you walk through the town, you will notice gates, gardens and temples which are all decorated with colourful red Chinese lanterns. Don’t miss the central clock tower; you’ll have an aerial view of the entire town from the top.

Day 3: Departure from Pingyao

Day three of your traditonal China trip is free to spend as you wish. Even though most of the area surrounding Pingyao isn’t that memorable, the ancient Buddhist Zhenguo Lotus Temple is worth a visit. The temple is extremely charming and peaceful. When you enter the temple, keep an eye out for the unique construction of wooden Lotus support beams and the 1000 year old tree.

Combine a traditional China trip to the temple of Zhenguo with a trip to the Family Qiao’s courtyard-house, with its 25 courtyards and 300 rooms. These days the residence is a museum and it lies about 2 hours north of Pingyao. The blockbuster hit ‘Raise the Red lantern’ was filmed here.

At the end of the afternoon, you'll be picked up at your hotel and taken to the train station. You will then catch the sleeper train to Xi'an.
Traditional China - Zhenguo Lotus Temple
Traditional China - Arriving in Xian

Day 4: Arrival Xi'an

It's the last day of your tour of traditional China and you'll arrive at the Xi'an train station around 8:00 in the morning. This is where your traditional China trip comes to an end.

We will arrange Xi'an accommodation which is close to the bus station and from here you can then begin a Xi'an trip to see the Terracotta Army and Drum Towers.

Tips for your time in Pingyao:

If you can, we recommend planning your travel to Pingyao on weekdays; there will be less electric carts filled with Chinese day trippers buzzing around. Early in the morning and towards the evening is the most quiet time to visit and will help you imagine a more traditional China of years ago. If you purchase an All-In Ticket for 120 Yuan you can visit all of the courtyards, museums and temples in the city.

Pingyao has a continental climate: in the winter the average temperature is –3°C and during the summer the average temperature is 30°C. There are large differences between daytime and night time temperatures and we would advise bringing along layers of clothes to wear when appropriate. Power outages occur frequently in this area so you may want to bring along a small flashlight.

A peek at your accommodation (click to enlarge)
Click here for our bite-sized China trips

Click here to see our suggested holidays in China


Follow Rickshaw Travel and be inspired...