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<xavi>
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Question:
As a start, many cities in China have lived an imperial period which has made them outstanding. However you cannot appreciate it anymore because simply, those cities have turned into modern-look-alike and there are hardly any historic sites left. PingYao is the exception, it’s an incredibly beautiful city which somehow has managed to keep its ancient appearance, making it unique.

In your guide, you state it is possible to walk along the protecting wall, which is 6 km long, paying an entrance ticket of 35 yuan. Well it is not the case anymore, since the price has gone up to 120 yuan. With this ticket you can not only walk the city walls but also visit 20 places inside the city. It’s not possible to pay just for the wall, it’s an all or nothing business and, if you have seen already a few houses and pagodas, it’s just too pricey for the walls.

The other surprise is that the only guesthouse you state in your book is undergoing refurnishing works, so it is supposed to be closed at least until the summer 2005. However, seeing how things go in China, it might very well be that it does not open for business anymore, just like in countless other places. So I looked for a new place and I came across an incredibly good one. The staff is very friendly and speaks perfect English (which is helpful, nobody else does) and is a local guide, what makes it easier to know what to visit and when and the history of the place. The rooms are spacious, clean and new, all of them double with en suite toilet, and cost around 50 yuans, there’s 24h hot water and heating, and there is an inner courtyard. And the food is just delicious, the owner and his wife are wonderful cooks and can cook any sort of local dish. They also have internet access (nobody else does in PingYao). The place is called Jipu Deng Guesthouse and Restaurant (Jipu Deng is the name of the owner), but it is supposed to be changing to Harmony Guesthouse and Restaurant. The address is 165 M.Q Street, PingYao. This is about 200 m down the Center Tower, heading south. Their phone number is 0354-5684952. It is about ten minutes walk from the west gate and about twenty from the train station. If you call them though, they will pick you up from the station for free. All together is just a gift.

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Rough Guides Travel    Travel Talk    Travel Talk  Hop To Forum Categories  Asia    updates on imperial city of PINGYAO, China...