China, Shanxi, Beijing 2019

The most holy land of Chinese Buddhism, Mount Wutai is rated on both the list of the first group of national scenic spots designated by the State Council, and the four sacred Buddhist Mountains are:

Mt. Wutai in Shanxi Province

Mt. Emei in Sichuan Province, 

Mt. Putuo in Zhejiang Province, and 

Mt. Jiuhua in Anhui Province.

15Dec 

Singapore Beijing
Beijing Datong

16Dec [大同/浑源/五台山]

• 云冈石窟+电瓶车、悬空寺（含登临） Yungang Grotto (Include Tram) - A well preserved mountain side caves filled with more than 50000 Buddhists statues. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Hanging Temple - one of the most remarkable sights in China. It appears to be hanging in the mid-air but supported by stilts.
• Coach to Pinyao Ancient Town

17Dec [五台山/平遥]

• 五台山；游览寺庙群：菩萨顶、显通寺、塔
  院寺、万佛阁 
• Mt Wutai, Shanxi province.
• Its five main peaks, positioned east, south, west, north, and in the middle, embrace one another with broad and plain terraces rather than forests on their tops. That is why it bears the name "Wutai Shan" (Mountain of Five Terraces). The summit of the northern peak which is famed as being the "Roof of Northern China", reaches 3061.1 meters (10,043 feet).
• It is said that Mount Wutai is the dwelling place of Manjusri Bodhisattva. 360 temples were built here dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) but now only 47 of them exist. Over the years, incalculable numbers of pilgrims and visitors have come here. Among these magnificent temples, five are the most famous: Xiantong Temple, TayuanTemple, Manjusri Temple (Summit Bodhisattva), Shuxiang Temple, and Luohou Temple.

Stayed at the magnificent 平遥会馆

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18Dec [平遥/灵石]

游览平遥古城+含电瓶车：古城墙、古县衙、
日升昌票号、明清一条街、DIY 剪纸（和民
间艺人互动学习剪纸） 

• This evening. specially arrange to stay in Pingyao Ancient Town (Include Tram) - a well preserved ancient city under the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour. Qingming Street. China First Money Exchange and transfer firm. City Wall. DIY traditional paper cutting with the locals.

Watched《又见平遥》directed by 张艺谋.

19Dec [灵石/壶口]

绵山风景区+环保车：云峰寺，大罗宫，石寨
天桥+单程电梯，水涛沟 （替换云丘山）

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20Dec [壶口/灵石]

黄河壶口瀑布风景区+小交通、洪洞大槐树 

• Hukou Waterfalls (Include bus transfer) - the largest Waterfalls on the Yellow River, located at the intersection of the provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi. It is also the only yellow waterfalls and also the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
• Ancestral Memorial Garden for Descendants under the Giant Ancient Locust Tree - a place for ancestor worship by immigrants and descendants of Giant Locus Tree home and abroad for more than 600 years.

21Dec [灵石/太原]

张壁古堡、乔家大院、非物质文化遗产—宝
源老醋厂 

Chong Ning Castle (www.wangjiadayuan.com)

• Zhangbi Ancient Castle - a well preserved castle combining military. inhabitancy. production and religion. It's a village hailed as a profound history with multi-ethnic cultures and inhabitants of dozens of family surnames.

• Qiao Family Compound - a traditional Qing Dynasty merchant mansion built in 1756 with unique pattern and vivid carvings. It reflects the unique living styles of the northerners of ancient Qing Dynasty.
• Baoyuan Vinegar Mill - Understand the skill of ancient vinegar brewing technique to brewing appliances and history of Shanxi Mature Vinegar.

*22Dec* (Sun)

故宫 (as Mon close)

天坛 (25mins from 故宫)

胡同 Check in, then F&E

王府井 (night)

Beijing Duck dinner

*23Dec* (Mon)

长城 - 慕田峪

Night

三里炖 (shopping)

*24Dec* 

ETD 1635

*Wish list*

* 颐和园

* XiuShuiJie shopping

*Xidan shopping (Joy City)