PINGYAO - 3 of the best courtyard hotels.
As one of the best preserved cities for Ming and Qing dynasty traditional architecture, Pingyao is a world heritage site. Our chosen courtyard hotels, all located in the heart of Pingyao, are all former siheyuan (courtyard homes) of wealthy Qing Dynasty merchants and full of character and charm.
Jing's Residence
Clearly the most luxurious, this chic boutique hotel of 19 rooms in grey-brick pavilions built around a set of four courtyards featuring bamboo, a water element, and white stones is trail blazing a new concept in China that small is beautiful. With absolute top quality glass, fixtures and fittings imported from Germany and local decorative touches including ancient carved wooden window and door frames, bamboo flooring, rice paper ceilings and lacquer or silk bed heads, this hotel is artistically designed and atmospheric. Although the standard rooms are small with the bed a thick mattress on the floor the bathrooms are ultra modern and the best part of the stay in spending ones time in the cozy public areas; a large attic style library with sofas, books and TV, welcoming bar and restaurant with floor to ceiling windows; an ideal place to sit and watch the world go by. Magically lit at night, extremely well managed and with excellent food, Jing's Residence is our newest latest find in China.
De Ju Yuan
This lovely 26 room traditional old courtyard guesthouse is full of character. Beds are kangs (stone beds with heating inside and a mattress on top) stretching from wall to wall and although the rooms and bathrooms are simple, they are spotlessly clean; it's recommended to stay in the larger rooms. The owners are friendly and serve some of the best food I have ever tasted anywhere in China. A must to be included in any programme in Pingyao for at least a lunch or dinner if not an overnight.
Tian Yuan Kai
The Tian Yuan Kai is another good standard traditional old guesthouse with loads of original charm; its 35 rooms are scattered around a series of hidden courtyards with the ubiquitous handing red lanterns and despite the kang style beds having slightly hard mattresses, the rooms are very clean and fun to stay in. The restaurant and bar have an almost stube like atmosphere and are very welcoming. A real experience.