Our last stop in Qingdao was a stay in an old building.
The 'Li Yuan' (courtyard houses) in Qingdao are the city's unique architectural 'DNA'. Unlike Beijing's Siheyuan (quadrangle courtyards) or Shanghai's Lilong (lane houses), they are a clever fusion of Western-style mansions and Chinese Siheyuan, embodying a 'Sino-Western eclectic style' that holds the memories of generations of Qingdao residents. Li Yuan originated in the early 20th century during the German occupation, first appearing in the then-designated 'Chinese quarter' of Dabaodao. The Qingting Li Yuan Guesthouse we chose this time is located right there, and staying here truly felt like the right choice – it was fantastic!
Since I was traveling with my elderly parents, who are over 70 and have some mobility issues, I put a lot of thought into the guesthouse's location. Initially, I considered staying near Comic Street, but later felt there might not be much to do there, so I decisively changed our plans to Dabaodao. The guesthouse is only a 2-minute walk from the Dabaodao area, right next to Renmin Road subway station, making travel incredibly convenient. St. Michael's Cathedral and Zhanqiao Pier are also nearby. In the evenings, the commercial street offers countless delicious foods and fun activities – its prime location is undeniable.
The guesthouse's service was also exceptionally good. We arrived early, before the 1 PM check-in time, and initially just wanted to store our luggage. To our surprise, not only could we check in early, but the service staff even upgraded our room to one with a view of the bustling Dabaodao streets from the window. The room was clean, bright, spacious, and very quiet. The staff member helped us carry all our luggage up and down the stairs, guiding us all the way. As we walked through the long corridors, we were constantly amazed by the novel yet familiar sunken architectural structure. Both my parents and I loved it very much. Thinking back to the tedious process of comparing 6-7 guesthouses and their distances to various attractions before coming, I truly made the right choice by staying here. It allowed us to experience the traditional and rustic living style of old Qingdao residents while also enjoying the bustling convenience of being in the heart of the city.
Finally, I want to say that before choosing a hotel, in addition to looking at official pictures, I also pay attention to guest reviews, including negative ones. I'm specifically mentioning this because I was talking to my husband in the shower after coming back from a night out, expressing some thoughts. All the guesthouses I looked at before coming had some negative reviews, more or less. But after staying here, I wondered, why would such a great guesthouse and service have negative reviews?! Sometimes I'm really curious about who these people are who leave negative reviews, and what kind of profile they fit?! How can anyone have the nerve to write a bad review for such an excellent guesthouse with such a unique architectural style, a super convenient location, and such warm and meticulous service?? Oh, and I forgot to mention, the guesthouse is very affordable, with the cheapest rooms costing less than 300 RMB, and the general price in September being around 300-500 RMB. Their pricing is very reasonable. You pay only two or three hundred yuan, and you expect a presidential suite experience? That's simply nitpicking and finding fault where there is none. Even if you tried to find faults, there really isn't anything to pick on. Basic amenities like free bottled water, a hairdryer, toiletries, slippers, and bath products are all provided. Most importantly, the room was really clean and hygienic, and the bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, making for a truly divine and value-for-money experience.
As the last stop of our Qingdao trip, Qingting Li Yuan gave us a perfect ending. My parents and I both loved it. If it weren't for our limited time and an early train the next morning, we would have definitely stayed another night. We look forward to meeting again in the future!
Original TextTranslation provided by AI