Explore honest ratings and real traveler reviews to help you find the perfect stay
Posted on May 8, 2026
Valarie474I 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.
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Price per night from:TWD 4,444
Posted on Apr 7, 2026
Guest User
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.
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Price per night from:TWD 804
Posted on Apr 20, 2026|Inkwell Zen · Contemplative Kang Suite
Roshan_hotmailWe had a fantastic stay here, largely thanks to the incredibly helpful and kind host. The hotel is housed in a 300-year-old building, giving you a beautiful, authentic experience of ancient China, but the interior is fully updated and very calm.
Arrival and Service: The host is highly organized. They arranged a free shuttle to pick us up the moment we stepped out of the Pingyao Gucheng railway station, and provided a free drop-off when it was time to leave. Upon arrival, the host sat down with a map, clearly explained how to navigate the walled city, and gave us great advice on what to prioritize.
The Room: It looks ancient from the outside, but it is a spacious, spotlessly clean, modern hotel room on the inside. It features a large flat-screen TV and a smart voice-control system for the lights. The bathroom was immaculate and entirely modern, complete with an excellent shower and a heated toilet seat. I cannot believe they provide a room of this quality for such an affordable price. It is truly worth it.
Location & Breakfast: The hotel is in a very convenient spot inside the Pingyao city walls, just a 10-minute walk to the evening light show. Breakfast is included. Rather than a standard buffet, they serve a nice traditional set meal featuring millet porridge (xiaomi), fried vegetables, and eggs (see my uploaded pictures).
I highly recommend this place if you want top-tier hospitality and a clean, comfortable blend of ancient atmosphere and modern convenience.
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Price per night from:TWD 579
Posted on Nov 18, 2025
Guest UserThe 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! 👍
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Price per night from:TWD 847
Posted on Apr 30, 2026
Guest User
Everything perfect! The stay was amazing! The big shared area ís lovable. I booked a bed in the dormitory and at the end I was alone in a room of 2 with private bath. Probably due to low season. Anyway, bed was confy and clean. Bath perfect with soap and towels available. Totally recommended
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Price per night from:TWD 167
Posted on Sep 7, 2025
Guest User
Very satisfied with this stay! The room is clean and comfortable, the layout is very warm, the facilities are complete and modern, especially the bedding is soft and sleeps very well. The surrounding transportation is convenient, and the nearby food supermarket is all available. The landlord was warm and thoughtful, responded quickly to the message, and solved the problem immediately. The price is super high.
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Price per night from:TWD 517
Posted on May 16, 2026
Guest UserI stayed at the Tingbo Hotel, and the location is absolutely fantastic, right at the entrance of the scenic area. You can step out and start exploring immediately, which is incredibly convenient. The room was spotless, so clean you could see your reflection, and the bed was super soft – I woke up feeling completely refreshed. The front desk staff were wonderful, always patiently answering my questions, truly thoughtful. I especially loved the hotel's decor style; it's very unique. Every corner is meticulously arranged and looks amazing in photos. Plus, the hotel service was excellent; it was such a pleasant stay. The value for money at this hotel is incredible. The price wasn't expensive, but the service and facilities were outstanding. It felt like a great deal. The hotel is clean, and its location near the north gate of the ancient city means you can walk everywhere, which is very convenient. I'll definitely come back next time.
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Price per night from:TWD 2,138
Posted on May 9, 2026
ShannabiandexiaoheshangYundingxuan Inn is the perfect place to stay when visiting Pingyao. This historic inn, with its traditional seven-courtyard layout, offers an authentic and photogenic glimpse into old Jin merchant culture. Its location is unbeatable, right on West Street in the ancient city. You can easily walk to attractions like the County Government Office and Rishengchang Exchange Shop, making exploring the old town incredibly convenient. The rooms are clean and tidy, and the back courtyard provides a peaceful and private escape. The butler service is exceptional – attentive and thoughtful. They offer free pick-up and drop-off, help plan your itinerary, and ensure a worry-free and comfortable stay. It's incredibly good value for money. If you're coming to Pingyao, Yundingxuan is my top recommendation!
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Price per night from:TWD 1,076
Posted on Oct 5, 2025
Huotouyu
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!
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Price per night from:TWD 7,042
Posted on Feb 25, 2026
Anonymous User
Facilities: The room facilities matched what was advertised.
Cleanliness: The room was quite clean.
Environment: The accommodation was very quiet, and the room was warm.
Service: The owner provided excellent service, especially the breakfast, which was delicious and highly satisfying.
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Price per night from:TWD 708