Shanxi Ancient Residence Check-in

What left a particularly deep impression in Pingyao Ancient City was this private residence originally belonging to a Qing Dynasty silk merchant—the Jin Residence.

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Although located on the bustling East Street,
it exudes a peacefulness that seems detached from the world.
The Jin Residence’s main gate perfectly fulfills the need to define the space.
The moment you push open the door, you enter another tranquil and calming space.
The street vendors’ shouts and the bustling tourists disappear.
What greets you is the housekeeper’s simple yet warm greeting, “Welcome back.”

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The mottled walls and faded wooden pillars
seem to tell the marks of time.
It retains the courtyard features of a Shanxi merchant’s residence,
while the interior decor blends in modern elements.
Every corner reflects the designer’s meticulous care.

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The house displays many of the owner’s treasured collections, from ancient to modern.
What attracted me most were the books scattered throughout the courtyard.
Many are rare collections not found in bookstores,
including introductions to the history of Shanxi and Pingyao.
The Jin Residence has two courtyards; we stayed in the East Courtyard, which is very quiet.
It completely isolates guests from the bustling ancient city, creating a secluded and peaceful retreat.
The courtyard’s water jar houses several koi fish, and carefully tended greenery is placed at every corner and entrance.
In the evening, wild geese visit the eaves.
Though a historic building, it has not lost any vitality.

The living room, bar, and desk display various antiques and collected books.
There is a leather-bound travel book about Pingyao that introduces many little-known temples and histories, which is very interesting.
The house has no ceiling; climbing the spiral staircase reveals the centuries-old wooden beams of the house’s structure.
Each beam and pillar, each stone and piece of wood, is silent yet expressive.

The hotel service is also excellent.
When an elderly family member casually mentioned liking apples during afternoon tea, the next day the fruit plate in the bedroom was replaced entirely with apples.
The attentive service during meals also met my expectations.

However, the drawbacks are quite obvious.
The amenities are very basic, and the interior feels a bit cramped (especially the bathroom and walk-in closet).
The renovation from ten years ago is showing its age.
Some online reviews say this place is like the Aman of Pingyao, but it still lacks some polish.

But staying in this beautiful courtyard, everything is symmetrical and perfect.
All these minor flaws do not overshadow its charm.

During the few nights spent in this courtyard, the Jin Residence wove a dream of Pingyao for me.