First built in the reign of King Xuan (827 – 782 B.C.) of the Western Zhou Dynasty, Pingyao is a small town in central Shanxi Province. Up to now, the town is still well preserved the same as when it was the county seat of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

 “Ping Yao is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Han Chinese city, founded in the 14th century. Its urban fabric shows the evolution of architectural styles and town planning in Imperial China over five centuries. Of special interest are the imposing buildings associated with banking, for which Ping Yao was the major center for the whole of China in the 19th and early 20th centuries.” – UNESCO’s depiction on its website for this World Cultural Heritages site approved in 1997.

The city wall stretches for about 6 kilometers. The town is protected by a city moat, both three meters in depth and width. Outside the city gate is a drawbridge. Within the city, four big streets and eight small streets radiate to join with 72 lanes. The 3,797 original quadrangle residential houses are all of the same black-colored bricks and gray-colored tiles. Out of the total, over 400 of these courtyard houses are still well preserved. There are also temples of varying size and old-fashioned stores.

Pingyao is regarded as the birthplace of modern banking system of China. Chinese banks were originally called “Piao Hao”. Richangsheng is the first “Piao Hao” offering financial services in town, and China. Therefore, it became the ancestor of all Chinese Banks.

Easy Tour China is presenting the special tour during traditional Chinese Lunar New Year (Spring Festival, Feb 18, 2007) with 3 nights in Pingyao and 1 night in Taiyuan (Capital of Shanxi Province). It is a perfect chance for the people from outside China to get to know the most important event of Chinese people throughout a year. During the tour, tourists can experience the celebration activities like learning to make Chinese dumplings -Jiaozi, watching Dragon & lion dance, setting off fireworks, etc…

Features:

• 3 nights at local courtyard guesthouse (http://www.pibc.cn/jlbjjer.htm) and 1 night at deluxe 5 star hotel - the best in Taiyuan;
• Colorful traditional celebration activities: making dumplings, setting off fireworks, watching Dragon dance, home visit to local residence;
• Visit the best-preserved ancient Chinese town listed World Cultural Heritage Sites by UNESCO, which is the birthplace of China's modern banking system.

5-day Chinese Lunar New Year Package in Pingyao/Taiyuan

Date	Place	Itinerary	Meal	Hotel
Day 1	Arrival in Taiyuan Tiayuan/Pingyao By car	Arrival in Taiyuan by flight or train, be met by our guide and transfer to Pingyao (1.5hr.). Welcome dinner on Spring Festival eve. Light up WANG-HUO (A piled coal fire welcoming prosperity of the new year). Enjoy Spring Festival fireworks.	D	Int’l Financier Club (Yujincheng)
Day 2	Pingyao	Visit the ancient city wall of Pingyao, Rishengchang Daft Bank, free walk along Ming and Qing dynasty Street. Learn to make Jiao-Zi (Chinese dumplings) in the Hotel.	B/L/D	Int’l Financier Club (Yujincheng)
Day 3	Pingyao	Visit the Shuanglin Temple, and have a home visit to the local people’s house and greets each other like what Chinese usually do in north China. Enjoy dragon dance and lion dance and other celebration activities.	B/L/D	Int’l Financier Club (Yujincheng)
Day 4	Pingyao/Taiyuan By car	Drive to Taiyuan, en route visit Qiao’s Mansion, have lunch after the arrival in Taiyuan, visit Jin Ci Temple, transfer to hotel for a 1 night stay at the best hotel in Taiyuan.	B/L/D	World Trade Hotel
Day 5	Taiyuan exit	Transfer to airport.	B

The tour package based on a twin share is only US$580pp. for minimum 2 people!

Included services:

1. Private transfer airport/hotel/airport;
2. Private tour escorted by an English speaking guide;
3. 4-night best accommodations in Pingyao and Taiyuan with daily breakfast;
4. Meals specified in the program as B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner;
5. Admission fee.

Non-included services:

1. Flights in and out of Taiyuan;
2. Services not specified and personal expense;
Tips to guide and driver (US$15-20 per day for guide, and half of that for driver)