Beijing Railway Station From Beijing Railway Station we took overnight train to Pingyao.
Even we booked our tickets well in advance, the softsleeper was sold out, and we had left with hard sleeper choice only. Before the trip I worried about safety, and personal belongings in the train, but after great experience with hard sleeper, all our family would love to experience this trip again. may be we were lucky, may be all tourists in hard sleeper cars are so nice, that we ended up with new friends, and lots of great memories just from overnight trip.
Beautiful Pingyao Cheng Jia hotel we booked well in advance in advance, so in the morning, on the railway station, the driver from hotel was waiting for us. After 5-10 minutes ride, we comfortably explored our room, and hotel grounds. Pingyao Cheng Jia Hotel was decorated in national style, with mix of old and traditional, kang bed and carved furniture, and modern; heated floors and stylish showers.
Our stay in Pingyao Cheng Jia Hotel , probably is one of the finest experiences with hotels in China. After showers, and good breakfast we walked around the ancient city walls. Cause we were at the end of the touristic season, we were lucky to see only few tourists on our way, and had fun experience browsing and participating in local activities with personal attention.
After overnigh in Pingyao, next morning we took a short 25 minutes train ride to Jiexiu, than another 20 minutes on taxi to Mian Shan Touristic Area. Mian Shan met us with crispy clean mountain air and warm sunshine.
True! It was unbelievable experience, one-of-a-kind! We drop all our luggage in Yunfeng Hotel, and walked to one of the nearest Yunfeng Temple. From the Temple we took Cloud Road to the Heaven. The name said everything. Wow! No photos, or videos can descibe our feelings, and surrounding views..Tranquility, inviting warmth of bright sunshine, fresh air and panoramic breathtaking views were like a magic energy pouring into our bodies to give us enough to climb and walk for a day without any snacks and water stops. We were like hungry to see more and more of the surrounding beauty. All unique, and beautifully restored temples on high cliffs, untouched by centuries trees and rocks, peacefull smiles of locals, interactions with monks… all of these unforgettable experiences of joy we keep in our heads, and keep reminiscing often…
That day we explored also Rabbit Bridge area, Daluo Temple, Iron Chain Ridge and Universe Pagoda…
Dinner at Yunfeng Hotel was more delicious than expected, probably we were very hungry and tired…
Next morning after delicious buffet breakfast in Yunfeng Hotel, first we explored Qixian Valley Area with caves along the way. No any Wonderland-Disneyland or other amusement park can compete with natural beauty of the Valley and entertainment with climbing through the obstacles. This valley was the Highlight of the trip for our children. After the valley we took a shuttle bus to Zhujia Hollow Area visited Cave God Temple, Lingbao God temple and Sight Seeing Pavillion, then again shuttle bus, toFunnel Spring Area, visiting Daluo Temple & Beehive Spring, than magnificient Plank Road on Cliff… The Plank road on Cliff is another “Wow” experience of lifetime. Imagine CN Tower glass floor experience, when you walk on thick glass floor, which can withhold an elephant…so, like this, but without any glass, and thin planks offer you see-through-the-floor experience, while you walking above the clouds…Yes, it’s thrilling experience,..that’s why we came here to enjoy it…and tranquility..and crisp air..and sunshine…just made it to be perfect. If we ever happened to visit this Mian Shan Scenic Area again, we stay here at least a week, without rush, enjoying life together with local monks… Unfortunately our time in China was limited, and after lunch we rushed to shuttle bus, then to waiting us taxi to railway station, to take a speed train to Xi’an.
