On a whim over the weekend, I planned a "cycling escape" from Zibo all the way to Qingzhou Ancient City. By accident, I ended up staying at this hidden gem of a homestay tucked away in an old alley. After staying, I just want to say: this isn’t a hotel stay, it’s clearly visiting a friend’s home to pet cats and drink tea! 🏡
🌟 Surprise in the Old Alley: Instantly Won Over by the Host Couple
After tiring from strolling the main street of the ancient city, I followed the navigation into a narrow bluestone alley. The moment I pushed open the weathered wooden door, I instantly switched from the noisy bustle to a healing mode—the small courtyard had climbing roses, a stone table held freshly brewed Laoshan green tea, and the hostess in a cotton-linen dress smiled and greeted me: “Tired from cycling? Come sit here and rest!”
The host brother was even more down-to-earth. Seeing us with cycling gear, he didn’t hesitate to help move it to the storage room and brought out chilled cola and local dried apricots: “All free, help yourselves!” Sitting in the courtyard in the evening drinking tea and chatting, listening to their old stories about the ancient city, the brother said this courtyard was passed down from ancestors. During renovation, they deliberately preserved the old brick walls, and even the beams are decades-old wood. No wonder it feels so full of life.
The most healing was the “native resident” of the courtyard—a ginger cat named “Afu,” very clingy. Whether sitting by the tea table or lounging on the room sofa, it would quietly come over to rub against your legs. Petting the cat while sipping tea, all fatigue seemed to be cured by this little furball~
🛏️ Staying in the “Wuyou” Room: The Sunken Design Locks in Comfort
The “Wuyou” room we booked was stunning the moment we opened the door! The sunken living room really gets young people—the area with a soft carpet is perfect for sitting cross-legged, next to a floor-to-ceiling window. Pulling back the curtains reveals the courtyard’s greenery. Afternoon sunlight streams in, making every casual photo feel like a cinematic scene.
The room details are also very touching: the bedding is soft cotton-linen, sleeping feels like sinking into clouds; the bathroom separates wet and dry areas, toiletries have a light camellia scent, and even the hairdryer is high-powered (a blessing for long hair!); the wardrobe even has a spare light jacket hanging, so thoughtful it deserves full marks!
The only small regret is that the old city house’s soundproofing is average; in the morning, you can occasionally hear footsteps in the alley. But the hostess gave us earplugs in advance, and with them on, we slept very soundly, no problem at all~
📍 Multiple Reasons to Stay Here: Explore the Ancient City Like a Local
- Perfect location: 3 minutes’ walk to the ancient city’s main street. Want to eat Longsheng pastries or Old Locust Tree fried buns? No need to get up early, just stroll over slowly after waking up. Yet it’s hidden deep in an alley, quiet and peaceful at night, no noise at all.
- Free “local guide”: Ask the hostess where to eat, and she’ll handwrite a list, clearly marking which fried buns require early arrival and which pickled vegetables locals often buy. She also told us the ancient city wall is free to enter after 6 pm, perfect for sunset photos. Following her guide helped us avoid pitfalls and relax.
- Lazy-friendly: If you don’t want to go out, you can drink tea, pet cats, and sunbathe in the courtyard, or chat with other guests. In the afternoon, the host even cooks local millet porridge served with pickles and steamed buns—simple but very satisfying.
💡 Qingzhou Trip Tips (Take Our Advice)
1. For friends cycling here, the homestay has a free parking shed, so no worries about gear safety.
2. It’s recommended to stay two nights or more—explore the ancient city and climb Yunmen Mountain by day, then return to the homestay for tea and cat cuddles at night. The pace is just right.
3. In summer, remember to bring mosquito repellent. The courtyard has many plants, so there are occasional mosquitoes, but the hosts provide mosquito lamps, which are basically enough.
On the day we left, the host couple walked us to the alley entrance and even packed two bags of local hawthorn strips: “Come back next time on your bike!” It turns out the best travel isn’t about how many sights you check off, but meeting such warm people and staying in a home full of warmth~
Post by CharlotteTurner | Sep 28, 2025
