谋生咖啡馆

A cafe on Shaxiang Street in Pingyao Ancient City. When I passed by the scenic area tour bus, I saw the name of "Making a Living Cafe" and was deeply impressed. I turned back and walked along the street, found the shop and went in to check it out. The cafe is indeed decorated with a literary and artistic atmosphere, with simple decoration and rich colors. Most of the customers are young tourists, some chatting and some dozing off. There are also local teenagers who gather together to drink and do homework. I ordered a cup of Dirty to get rid of the summer heat, and then asked for a special osmanthus latte. The rim of the cup was covered with a circle of nut crumbs, which had a unique flavor. The sun slowly set in the west, sipping coffee, browsing the circle of friends, and the leisurely afternoon time was very beautiful.

Right now, I'm sitting in [Mou Sheng Coffee & Bar]. To be honest, I have a tiny bit of a connection with it. I was just wandering around in the afternoon and happened to pass by. In the evening, I wanted to find a cozy little bar to sit in, so I clicked on the recommendations, and it was near the top of my list—that's it! The place is warm and cozy, unlike the shabby little bars on the main street; it feels like coming home. Hmm… let's get back to the point… This weekend, I went out again. As my colleague put it, there were so many "dirty" things happening these past two days. I rushed home from work, and the moment I got into my car, I snapped my fingers 🫰, telling myself to "switch gears!" So I boarded a slow train and arrived in Pingyao Ancient City. The primary driving force was definitely "Encounter Pingyao," everything else was secondary. The 1.5-hour performance was worth the ticket price. Why is it free for children under 1.2 meters? I hope the high ticket price will deter a small group of people. The performance was a combination of walking and sitting. The last show, themed around noodles, had some similarities to "Only Henan" because they are directed by the same person. I saw online comments saying it involved dancing in a women's sensitive area, which was a bit much, but oh well, it's a show. (One of the male actors looked like an old friend.) After the show, I checked the time and realized I could go to the city wall to watch the sunset. I swear, that was a wise decision! Watching my shadow lengthen in the sunset, observing the daily lives of the local residents below the city wall, I suddenly felt a sense of happiness! (I secretly told myself not to show too much happiness.) On the way from the city wall to the tavern, I even stumbled upon the shop I'd seen making handmade fridge magnets! See, this is the satisfaction of everyday life! Oh, and how could I not talk about food! Too lazy to choose lunch, I went to the guesthouse's [Juhongyuan] Chinese restaurant and had beef hot pot! It was amazing! The beef was tender and juicy, and the vegetables were soaked in the broth. I couldn't stop eating it! Later, the waiter made a vinegar dipping sauce for me, which was quite delicious! Of course, I also encountered several little yellow dogs along the way, which made me chuckle. The next day: 1. It snowed heavily today, and I only just realized that the sunrise in Pingyao County is at 7:30 am. 2. For lunch, I ate at [Tianyuan Kui Restaurant] and ordered the beef copper hot pot again. When the table next to me was ordering, the waitress said, "This is a small pot; she can finish it all by herself!"

Before coming, I casually mentioned, "Let's go to Pingyao for a couple of days," but after arriving, I realized: this place is perfect for leisurely, small-scale exploration. How to explore comfortably? Pingyao Ancient City is best enjoyed at a "walk-and-see" pace. Start from Rishengchang Exchange House and walk inwards, passing through Ming and Qing Dynasty streets, alleys, temples, and old houses. You basically don't need a planned route; just go where it's lively. What to eat without making a mistake? You can't go wrong with authentic Shanxi cuisine from time-honored restaurants. On South Street, there's a 40-year-old establishment—Baishanxi. Knife-cut noodles: chewy texture, fragrant broth. Pingyao beef: freshly sliced ​​beef dipped in vinegar—absolutely delicious. Kaolao: steamed oat noodles topped with tomato sauce—amazing! A good place to rest along the way (a quiet recommendation, but really good): The Mosheng Coffee & Bar hidden in the alleys (highly recommended). Whether you want to escape the tourist noise or simply want to sit down, this is the perfect place. The old courtyard houses are beautifully lit, perfect for relaxing with a coffee. They even have a buy-one-get-one-free promotion during Christmas! When you visit Pingyao, be sure to check out these handcrafted shops and local specialties like lacquerware—I also recommend visiting established brands. There's a shop called Yonglonghao on South Street, which even has a six-meter-long lacquerware chopstick, a record from Venice, in its courtyard. Don't expect those trendy shops with walls covered in advertisements; you're more likely to find pleasant surprises at established shops. The plates, jewelry, and pendants are exquisite and make great souvenirs. Pingyao doesn't require any research; just walk in. The ancient city has a perfectly slow pace; you can explore it all in a day, and even a week wouldn't be boring.

December in Pingyao possesses the tranquil atmosphere unique to ancient northern cities. There are no crowds, only old walls, bricks and tiles, and the winter sun, quietly unfolding history. As a World Cultural Heritage site, Pingyao Ancient City preserves its complete Ming and Qing dynasty layout. From the city walls to the banks, from temples to streets and alleys, every step is an extension of cultural heritage. If you also want to take a meaningful winter trip, please keep this Pingyao cultural guide handy. Upon entering the ancient city, the first thing I recommend is to buy the ancient city package ticket, which allows entry to 22 attractions, including the county government office, Rishengchang Bank, Confucian Temple, City God Temple,镖局 (security escort agency), and the ancient city wall. The package ticket offers excellent value, covering almost all the core cultural essence of the ancient city. Climbing the ancient city wall is especially recommended; the winter view is expansive, and below are the well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty streets and alleys—the feeling of overlooking history is truly awe-inspiring. If you are interested in performing arts, in addition to the well-known "Encounter Pingyao," there is also the immersive live-action financial drama "Encounter Bank." Using the original site of the Xietongqing Exchange House as its theater, it retells the financial history of Shanxi merchants in a "small space, small scale, big content" manner. Scenes such as the God of Wealth statue and the underground vault offer a highly immersive experience, making it one of the best ways to understand Shanxi merchant culture. For lunch, I highly recommend Baishanxi, located at No. 81 South Street. It's the ancient city branch of "Juguangju," a 40-year-old restaurant in Pingyao, and enjoys an excellent reputation among locals. It's a restaurant truly trusted by many Pingyao residents. The dishes are mainly Shanxi cuisine, authentic yet not greasy, with generous portions—especially comforting in winter. Whether it's Pingyao beef, wantu (a type of boiled dumpling), guoyourou (braised pork), or youcha (oil tea), they are all consistently delicious. After a morning of sightseeing, a hearty meal here will instantly soothe you. In the afternoon, you can visit the Yonglonghao Lacquerware Museum. Yonglonghao, located in an ancient courtyard next to the city tower, is a national intangible cultural heritage site for Pingyao push-lacquerware decoration techniques and Pingyao's first private lacquerware art museum. Nestled in a 600-year-old two-courtyard house, its furniture, ornaments, and lacquer paintings are breathtakingly exquisite. Each piece of lacquerware undergoes at least 30 processes, taking 40-180 days to complete, resulting in an elegant, warm, and mirror-like finish. Here you can also see the Guinness World Record holder for "World's Largest Chopsticks," a six-meter-long giant lacquered chopstick symbolizing "touching chopsticks brings happiness," perfect for a photo opportunity. While Yonglonghao's lacquerware is indeed more expensive, the quality of the wood, the lacquer, the craftsmanship, and the decades of expertise of its master craftsmen all contribute to making it a true intangible cultural heritage masterpiece. In the evening, head to Mousheng Coffee & Bar at No. 14 Shaxiang Street in Pingyao Ancient City to experience the most unique side of Pingyao's nightlife. Mousheng is a local favorite, where coffee, drinks, music, and an open-air courtyard (open in summer) intertwine to create a warm atmosphere in the ancient city's nights. The shop is currently decorated for Christmas, maintaining its romantic ambiance. Their hand-drip coffee, specialty coffees, local-style covered bowl coffee, and sea buckthorn Americano are all unique. In the evening, you can enjoy a cup of mulled wine, hot beer, or a potted tea around the fire – a pleasantly warming and slightly tipsy experience. They also have homemade fruit wines (hawthorn, pomegranate, cherry, etc.) brewed with Fenjiu liquor, boasting a rich aroma. The shop features blackboard art under ambient lighting, a wall dedicated to Pingyao for photo opportunities, and a cute dog named "Ears" – all incredibly soothing. They also offer blind box cocktails; simply give the bartender a keyword to receive your personalized drink. December in Pingyao is a quiet, culturally rich town, gently enveloped by time. Walk along the city wall, visit the banks, enjoy a meal at Baishanxi, experience intangible cultural heritage at Yonglonghao, and spend a slightly tipsy winter night at Mosheng. You will discover that the beauty of this city lies not only in its history but also in every warm moment.

As the year draws to a close, want to make your Christmas Eve stand out from the crowd? For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2025, consider visiting Pingyao, Shanxi. Its ancient Ming and Qing dynasty architecture and traditional Chinese atmosphere will make your Christmas Eve truly unique. Pingyao's unique romantic winter light show: The 3D light show at the South Gate's Yingxun Gate is a highlight of winter nights. The light show combines the ancient city's history and culture with modern light art, depicting the city's iconic landscape. Watching it on Christmas Eve adds an extra touch of magic. Festive atmosphere: Many characteristic inns and restaurants will decorate with Christmas trees and colorful lights, creating a unique blend of Chinese and Western scenery that complements the city's red lanterns. Recommended Christmas itinerary (December 24-25): Christmas Eve (December 24): Arrive in the ancient city in the afternoon and check into an inn. It's recommended to choose one near South Street or West Street for convenient transportation. In the evening, explore the ancient city's festive atmosphere and experience intangible cultural heritage. Stroll along South Street to Yonglonghao to see lacquerware. Enjoy authentic Shanxi cuisine in the evening at Baishanxi Restaurant. Pingyao beef and braised pork are highly recommended. In the evening, enjoy the light show and Christmas drinks. Watch the Yingxun Gate light show and have a drink at Mousheng Coffee Bar. Mousheng has a Christmas month promotion: buy one glass of mulled wine and get one free in December. Christmas Day (December 25th) Itinerary: Morning: Climb the city wall for a nostalgic experience. Climb the ancient city wall in the early morning to watch the sunrise and the city awaken. Afterwards, you can visit the Pingyao County Government Office. Noon: Enjoy a hearty lunch. Copper hot pot is a great choice—warm and satisfying. If you don't want to research, you can easily choose to visit Baishanxi again. Afternoon: Visit the painted sculptures at Shuanglin Temple or experience the tranquility of the Confucian Temple. Evening: Before leaving, you can buy some souvenirs. For example, choose a beautiful lacquerware jewelry box at Yonglonghao—a very meaningful gift. There are also many creative shops on South Street selling refrigerator magnets with exquisite designs! 1. Accommodation Recommendations: Accommodation is in high demand during Christmas, so advance booking is recommended. Traditional heated rooms with kang beds (traditional heated brick beds) are very cozy. 2. Transportation: Visitors driving should park in designated parking lots outside the city and enter on foot from the city gate. Alternatively, they can take a sightseeing bus within the city. 3. Weather and Clothing: Late December in Pingyao is cold and dry, with temperatures often below freezing. Be sure to wear fleece-lined underwear, a down jacket, a hat, scarf, and gloves. Shoes should be non-slip. 4. Budget: Prices will increase slightly during Christmas. For two people, a two-day, one-night stay including accommodation, entrance fees, and meals, a budget of around 1800 yuan is recommended. Experience a truly Chinese Christmas in Pingyao, enjoying the festive atmosphere while avoiding crowds and immersing yourself in history.