Day 1/Arrival in Beijing
Arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Transfer to the hotel for rest. (No meal)

Day 2/Beijing
Visit Tian'anmen Square, the largest urban square in the world. Moove on to visit Forbidden City, the imperial palace of Ming and Qing dynasties. In the afternoon, visit Temple of Heaven. Enjoy Peking Duck for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 3/Beijing
Visit Mutian Section of Great Wall, Ming Tombs (Spirit Road, Changling Tomb). Stop at Olympic Park and outside view of Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). (B,L,D)

Day 4/Beijing  
Visit the enchanting Summer Palace. In the afternoon, visit Yonghe Lama Temple, and walk around Nanluogu Lane. Enjoy Peking Opera in the evening. (B,L,D)

Day 5/Beijing-Pingyang
After a relaxed breakfast at hotel this morning, you will walk through some old "Hutongs". The rest of day is free. Take overnight train to Pingyao with soft sleeper (the 1st class in china, 4 persons sharing one cabin). (B,L)
Accommodation: on the train

Day 6/Pingyao
Arrive in Pingyao, boasting the famous Pingyao Old City which was enlisted in the United Nations World Cultural Heritage in 1997. Transfer to historic hotel/guesthouse on arrival. The whole day is at leisure to explore the city. (B)

Pingyao Destination Guide Pingyao Old City is like a huge historical museum. In the center of the Old City, the nearly 200 years old Rishengchang Exchange Shop is the first 'bank' in Chinese history. The well-preserved County Government Office shows a complete picture of the solemn law court and prison of the Qing Dynasty while in Chenghuangmiao Street. The Temple of the City God and the Confucius Temple reveal a glimpse of local folk life. Along the Ancient Ming and Qing Street, the old buildings in antique architecture styles may bring you back to the old China of that time.
Outside the Old City, there are two temples worth visiting: Shuanglin Monastery and Zhenguo Temple. Shuanglin Monastery, 7km from Pingyao, is renowned not for its architecture, but for its painted statues executed during Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, spanning a period of over 1,000 years. Zhenguo Temple, 12km from Pingyao, was first built in the period of Five Dynasties and was renovated in Ming and Qing Dynasties, but still keeps its original styles.
What's more, most of the famous residences of Shanxi Merchants are clustered around Pingyao: Qiao Family Residence, Wang Family Residence, Qu Family Residence, and etc.
Information Link The culture of the Shanxi Merchants
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, many merchants from Taigu, Qixian and Pingyao of the Jinzhong area began to develop their businesses in China's big cities and overseas. Their piaohao (firms for the exchange and transfer of money) once monopolized money exchanged and the monetary lifelines of the whole country, accruing them great fortunes. They came back to heir home villages to build homes to honor their ancestors and show their social status. Now these residences have become historic buildings. These rich merchants and their residences comprise the "Culture of the Shanxi Merchants". Among the homes, the Qiao Family Residence has become the Museum of Folk Customs, and the Qu Family Residence is the Museum of Culture of the Shanxi Merchants.  

Day 7/Pingyao-Xi'an
Day is free to explore the city. Transfer to the railway station in the evening, and take overnight train to Xi'an. (B)
Accommodation: on the train

Day 8/Xi'an
Arrive in Xi'an, transfer to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, climb the ancient City Wall. (B,L,D) 

Day 9/Xi'an
Visit the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors and Horses, a mountain village. Then drive back to the city and visit the Great Mosque. (B,L,D)

Day10/Depart Xi'an
Transfer to the railway station or airport, TOUR ENDS! (B)

Hotels (or the same standard):
Beijing: *** Ping An Fu Beijing
Pingyao: ***(*) Yi De Guesthouse Pingyao   
Xi'an: **** Bell Tower Hotel Xi'an