All the hotels and guesthouses in the ancient town belong to the same company and can be booked through various platforms or WeChat official accounts. Check-in is at the visitor center. If you have luggage, you can ask the front desk to arrange for it to be transported to your hotel or guesthouse. You can also have your luggage transported to the visitor center upon check-out. This way, tourists with luggage can start exploring without worry. During busy weekends and holidays, check-in time may be as late as 2 or 3 pm. Hotel stays include unlimited entry and exit tickets to the scenic area, which is quite cost-effective.
We stayed at the Xianzitan Guesthouse, Room A, located near the North Watchtower on the snack street, about a five- or six-minute walk from the visitor center. It's about a seven- or eight-minute walk to Shilang Wharf and a two- or three-minute walk to the Xiyuan Mansion electric vehicle station. The guesthouse was very clean, and the rooms were spacious. Although it was by the water, there was no musty smell. The back door opens onto a covered corridor, and waking up in the morning to the sounds of birdsong, still water, and lush greenery is a delightful experience.
The room facilities were also quite complete; the TV even received many international channels such as HBO, Phoenix TV, and CNN. Breakfast, though simple, was clean, delicious, and healthy; the millet porridge is highly recommended.
Lunch and dinner can also be booked. The braised pork with preserved mustard greens was amazing, and the pork belly wasn't too fatty.
The housekeeper was very welcoming and even gave us complimentary fruit. Because we were tired from walking around in the morning, and because the rooms were full and the previous day's guests had checked out late, the housekeeper expedited the cleaning of our room, which we were originally supposed to check in at 3 PM, so we could go in and rest around 1 PM.
There's a wonton, shumai, and steamed bun shop opposite the guesthouse's front entrance; the food is fantastic. The guesthouse is divided into two courtyards, A and B. Room A is in courtyard A, and room B is in courtyard B. Courtyard B is also where the local café is located.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google