Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( Heyichang Kezhan; 568 4952;
www.py-harmony.com
; 165 Nan Dajie; 165
dm ¥40-60, s ¥140, d & tr ¥180-210; )
Justifiably popular, the Har-
mony Guesthouse offers rooms off two beautifully preserved courtyards in a
lovely 300-year-old Qing building, as well as rooms in a smaller courtyard
down a neighbouring alley. The unflagging English-speaking husband and wife
team have created a hospitable environment and most rooms come with tradi-
tional stone
kang
beds, wooden bed-top tea tables and delightful wooden in-
laid windows. Dorm accommodation is in the original guesthouse, as well as in
the bar just up the road. Also offers tours, ticketing, bike rental (¥10 per day),
laundry, internet, wi-fi and pick-up.
JING'S RESIDENCE $$$
( Jin Zhai; 584 1000;
www.jingsresidence.com
; 16 Dong Dajie; 16 r ¥1438;
)
At 260 years old, this former home of a Qing-dynasty silk merchant
offers sleek and well-finished accommodation. The themed courtyards are
picture-perfect, the rooms are elegant and stylish (including the vast upstairs
suites, which have views over Pingyao's rooftops), while the upstairs bar must
be the most sophisticated in all of Shanxi province. There are only 19 rooms
here and it's essential to book ahead.
Courtyard Hotel
Eating & Drinking
DEJUYUAN $
( 82 Nan Dajie; 8.30am-10pm; )
Traveller friendly, but no worse for that,
this welcoming and popular little restaurant has a simple and tasty menu of
northern Chinese dishes, such as dumplings (¥15), as well as all the local
faves. Try the famed Pingyao beef or the mountain noodles (¥12).
Shanxi
SAKURA CAFE $
( Yinghuawu Xican Jiuba; 6 Dong Dajie; dishes from ¥35, beers from ¥10;
9.30am-midnight; )
Always busy, this lively, fun cafe-bar attracts both loc-
als and foreigners with its daily food and drink specials. It does decent pizzas
Bar
