Inns σε Shanxi, China

I did not want to leave. That is the most honest thing I can say about Xihe Academy. ”Guest house” is a label that does not prepare you for what this place actually is. If you are American and hearing that term for the first time, forget whatever image just came to mind. This is not a MIL suite tucked behind someone's garage. This is a fully realized, deeply considered experience wrapped inside one of the most stunning environments I have ever walked into. The courtyard alone stopped me mid-step. The surrounding area looks like an active film set -- you keep half-expecting to hear ”action” called from somewhere just off camera. And then you step inside and somehow it gets even better. I genuinely lost my words. The room is the kind of space where you realize someone has actually thought of everything. Included minibar. Fresh fruit and snacks. Loose-leaf tea so you can brew a proper cup. Bathrooms fully stocked down to the shower shoes. You can arrive with nothing but your clothes and be completely at ease. They have handled the rest. The staff made all of it feel personal. When a language barrier created a small miscommunication, they were patient and gracious without a flicker of frustration. When I joked that I had gone a little crazy shopping and could not close my suitcase, they immediately offered suggestions to help. That warmth is not a policy -- it lives in the people. They coordinate meals as well, and mine was delivered to my room and genuinely delicious. One thing I will say without hesitation: use their driver. This is a private, gated area and you cannot simply grab a random car or rideshare. Arrange your pickup from the train station or airport in advance -- it is seamless, affordable, and completely worth it. Do not skip this step. This was my first guesthouse experience, and Xihe Academy has set a bar I was not expecting to clear so soon. If you stay here, you will not regret it. Five stars is not enough.

It was just an absolutely amazing experience from the very beginning and until the very end of our stay, not even just in the hotel, but in the city of Pingyao itself in general. Me and my friend are traveling very light and without guides, and in Pingyao we had only one day: from evening to evening of the next day. Huge huge thanks to everyone who made this day unforgettable and ultimately comfortable for tired us: Alice, Helen, Fenny, Hana, and all others who was there for us. The hotel service is simply excellent: as soon as they learned about our late arrival, they immediately offered to meet us at the railway station, which was absolutely the sweetest thing. They brought us to the city gate, met us there, and walked us to the hotel. There they gave us a map, on which they explained in great detail where everything is, what is worth paying attention to, how it is better to build the route, and what opening hours different sights have. They also helped us organize a private transfer to Shaolin Temple the next morning. It was just perfect: we got there in 15 minutes instead of one and a half hours by foot, and after our walk in the temple they met us and brought us back. Also on the evening of arrival they helped us immediately buy the ticket for visiting all attractions of the city, valid for three days. And also they advised us where to eat, and gave us a hotel discount in both places. We did not regret it even once, the food was amazingly delicious in both places! The hotel itself is just wonderful: it really looks exactly like in the photos. You want to photograph every corner and record how the sparrows are chirping on the roof, and how two wonderful cats are meowing. The room also matches and even exceeds expectations. A huge kang bed, very comfortable. Excellent shower with everything needed. Breakfast is included in the stay: the traditional Chinese one was very tasty! Unfortunately, we did not manage to eat the egg, it was freshly boiled and still hot, but we were hurrying to Shaolin Temple by opening time. Also the hotel has a laundry service, and special thanks for that too! Washing and drying were very fast, and we got our nicely smelling clothes back already after four hours, which was critical for us, because we were leaving the same day. We felt like we really were honored guests, and we really appreciated it, even if only for one day.

My experience staying at this hotel as below. 1. They provide pickup and drop off from the train station. The day before the Inn contacted me to make arrangement for the pickup. Then they arranged to drive me back to station on the day I leave. Service was efficient and prompt. Much appreciated. 2. I was able to use the washing machine to wash come clothes which was much needed. Comb and toiletries were provided. So grateful for these little necessities as I left mine at the previous hotel. 3. The boss upgraded me to a bigger and better room because it was the low season. The kang bed was so comfortable and firm. I had the best sleep so far at this Inn. I'm so happy. 4. The Inn is inside the old city and practically next to one of the city gates. Very convenient for sightseeing old Pingyao city. 5. Everyone very friendly and helpful. Boss also gave me a bottle of vinegar. Wish I could take it back to UK with me. 6. The price of this Inn is also very reasonable and affordable. 7. Pingyao is a beautiful, ancient old city. Worth coming. I highly recommend staying here. I will be uploading photos and videos of the Inn and my travel experience of China on my YouTube channel TheTravelDiary and goody2shoos once I'm back in the UK so look up my channel for full information and experience. Happy travels everyone.

This hotel boasts an excellent location within the ancient city, right next to Huayan Temple and the West Gate of the city wall, with a variety of dining options nearby. The proprietress is friendly, warm, and attentive, providing overall thoughtful service. The hotel environment is clean and tidy. The second-floor patio features a tea set, koi fish, peacocks, and parrots, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. The guesthouse rooms are well-equipped with all necessary facilities, including a full range of toiletries.

A wonderful inn nestled in a tranquil location amidst the bustle of the city. From the initial pick-up and parking arrangements to the final departure, there was not a single unpleasant experience; they were incredibly attentive, helpful, and meticulous. The inn is elegant, clean, and tidy. The staff are friendly, patient, and responsive. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air daily, and the Chinese and Western breakfasts are cooked to order. While the variety isn't extensive, every bite is satisfying, especially the bowl of beef noodles, which is incredibly good! The room's simple and elegant decor perfectly reflects the ancient city's style. No matter how exhausted you are from exploring, returning to the courtyard provides a truly relaxing and tranquil experience. Overall, it was a truly wonderful two-day stay. I'd especially like to thank Ms. Dong Yanxia (I think that's her name) for her patient, meticulous, and attentive service, which has left me and my family with wonderful memories of this holiday!

A very unique courtyard B&B inn. The rooms are clean, tidy and antique. The inn is located on the West Street of the Old City. It is right on the pedestrian street. It is very close to the Rishengchang Bank and the county government. The boss is very enthusiastic and the service is very good. I will give you a tip in advance. We sent location navigation and helped us pick up and drop off our luggage from the parking lot 🅿️. They introduced the ancient city travel suggestions in detail and arranged an ancient city guide for us to have an in-depth understanding of Pingyao’s historical and cultural heritage. It was great [strong][strong ] [Strong] When checking out, the boss also gave me a souvenir from the ancient city - aged vinegar, which is very nice and worth recommending [Strong] [Strong] [Strong]

Experience the grandeur of a traditional Shanxi merchant's mansion without even leaving the premises! The staff are incredibly attentive and the attention to detail is superb. The breakfast spread is fantastic! This is truly the perfect way to do a family trip. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to experience ancient charm. You can't go wrong, book it! The hotel's travel photography and makeup services are also top-notch. All in all, a truly worthwhile stay!

It was a wonderful stay! :) The owners are a lovely family—very kind, helpful, and always happy to give advice and recommendations. The courtyard is magical, and the room was clean and free of any cigarette smell. The room had soap, shampoo, a hairdryer, a kettle, air conditioning, towels, slippers, and even earplugs (which are actually very useful, because many Chinese tourists don't seem to believe in gently closing doors with the handle—they slam them as if a war had just broken out). Sleeping in such a beautifully traditional setting was an experience in itself. I would have happily stayed longer. A note for European travelers: remember that this is a small hotel by Chinese standards. Don't be disappointed if the lanterns are made of plastic or if some of the decorations in the courtyard are a little dusty. None of that takes away from the charm of the place. I highly recommend staying here for at least two nights.

The location is absolutely fantastic, right in the heart of the ancient city. For dining: Xi Jin Dao is downstairs, Fenglin Pavilion is a 10-minute walk, and Long Juxiang offers delivery directly to your phone. Every time we took a taxi back to the inn, we'd get off at Huayan Hotel and walk two minutes. The popular Heshengcai is a 10-minute walk (though the taste was just so-so, and none of the pastries even had an ingredient list). For sights: Huayan Temple is a 5-minute walk. I visited Shanhua Temple at night, which was about a 15-minute walk. During the May Day holiday, there were only about 10 people in the entire temple at night, so we could enjoy a peaceful visit. On the way back and forth, we also saw the city wall's light show and passed through a lantern festival. Rumeng Datong (Dreams of Datong) was also within walking distance. Service was great too. On our last day, we had to leave for the train station at 7:30 AM, and the owner even packed breakfast for us. The lamb offal soup with vermicelli every morning was delicious. The furniture is all elm wood. The loft family room was perfect for our family of three. The only downsides were that the room rate was expensive during May Day, and the bathroom design was a bit impractical.

The hotel is located just within the old town after the north gate. The hotel is well decorated with a beautiful garden. The hotel room was clean and spacious. The hotel staff are superb friendly and helpful. In one of the nights in 平遥古城, I had left a shop without my haversack after my meal at the old town. I only recalled about my haversack when I returned to the hotel. Immediately, I reported the incident to the hotel staff. Without hesitation, the hotel staff 小武 brought me back to the said shop with his own bike in a cold weather. Although we managed to locate the shop, however, it had already closed for business and there was no people in the shop. It was nearly midnight at that time . Even though i didn’t manage to recover my haversack (cuz i needed to leave the town to another destination early in that morning), I sincerely appreciate 小武 for helping me to find my haversack. He also suggested to me to lodge a Police report so that my lost item could be recovered by mailing it back to my hometown. It was a good idea but I didn’t do it cuz the belongings in the bag were not valuable and nothing important. Once again , I really want to thank 小武 for his patience and service rendered to me. Cheers! 👍