谋生咖啡馆

A cafe on Shaxiang Street in Pingyao Ancient City. When I passed by the scenic area tour bus, I saw the name of "Making a Living Cafe" and was deeply impressed. I turned back and walked along the street, found the shop and went in to check it out. The cafe is indeed decorated with a literary and artistic atmosphere, with simple decoration and rich colors. Most of the customers are young tourists, some chatting and some dozing off. There are also local teenagers who gather together to drink and do homework. I ordered a cup of Dirty to get rid of the summer heat, and then asked for a special osmanthus latte. The rim of the cup was covered with a circle of nut crumbs, which had a unique flavor. The sun slowly set in the west, sipping coffee, browsing the circle of friends, and the leisurely afternoon time was very beautiful.

Pingyao's charm goes far beyond its Ming and Qing dynasty city walls and grand mansions. This trip, I stumbled upon a parallel universe where art and history intertwine—the Pingyao International Photography Exhibition. This year's exhibition spans four exhibition areas: the industrial charm of the Diesel Engine Factory, the nostalgic feel of the Cotton Mill, the Zen-inspired atmosphere of Jixiang Temple, and the ancient charm of the County Government Office. Every corner holds a surprising visual narrative. Beyond the exhibition, the slow pace of life in the ancient city is even more captivating. "Baishanxi" on South Street is a long-standing local favorite. The succulent potato and eggplant diced with tangy textures and the refreshing, sweet yellow rice jelly are both authentic Jin flavors. Be sure to try the Pingyao beef dipped in vinegar! It's delicious. If you're looking for a place to rest, "Mousheng Coffee" is worth a stop. This three-year-old shop offers a variety of coffees and homemade fruit wines perfect for a light intoxication. Many photographers flock here during the photography festival, so photography enthusiasts should definitely stop by! The newly added hot brewed Jiuniang beer is perfect for autumn. It can be ordered individually or brewed in a pot around the stove, paired with grilled fruit and snacks for a truly atmospheric experience. If you're looking for a meaningful souvenir, consider visiting Yonglonghao. This lacquerware shop inherits Pingyao's ancient polished lacquerware craftsmanship. Its jewelry boxes and ornaments are exquisite and refined, each a treasure to cherish forever. Travel Tips: The photography exhibition runs until September 23rd, with four distinct exhibition areas. It's recommended to reserve half a day for this opportunity. The ancient city is easily accessible on foot, so comfortable shoes are essential. Evenings are perfect for photography, and the ancient city is at its most captivating when the lanterns are lit. In Pingyao, history is the backdrop, life is the foreground, and art is the eye that discovers the extraordinary.

Who says ancient cities only belong in history textbooks? Pingyao, a living museum of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is captivating countless young people with its unique rhythm. If you enjoy experiencing history while enjoying the present, take note of this easy and stress-free guide to dining and sightseeing. [Three Must-Dos] 1️⃣ Enjoy authentic Jin cuisine Walk through the bustling crowds of South Street and make your way to the long-established branch of "Baishanxi." The diced potatoes and eggplant are sweet and sour, the yellow rice jelly drizzled with osmanthus honey is cool and glutinous, and the deep-fried meat is tender and savory. For just over 50 yuan per person, you can enjoy a satisfying meal. Lines are often expected during mealtimes, so avoid peak hours. Have a cup of coffee with a story to tell "Mousheng Coffee" on Shaxiang Street is my secret spot in Pingyao. During the day, order a cup of coffee in a covered bowl emblazoned with "Pingyao" and try one of the shop's homemade cakes. Starting in the evening, this place transforms into a tipsy tavern. Their newly launched hot brew is perfect for fall and winter, available in takeaway cups for on-the-go drinking. If you have time, you can even order a pot of hot brew with friends, roasting oranges and nuts over a small stove while listening to folk songs – the atmosphere is simply captivating. There's even a cute little black dog, "Ear," that you can pet – a perfect remedy for travel fatigue. Find a craft to inherit from your family The "Yonglonghao" lacquerware shop is more like a miniature museum, where master craftsmen demonstrate the intricate art of polishing lacquer. The jewelry boxes and ornaments are beautiful works of art, and feel as smooth as jade. Don't forget to touch the Guinness World Record-winning six-meter-long lacquer chopsticks for good luck and happiness. [Hidden Easter Egg] If you're a movie buff or a young art lover, the Pingyao Film Palace is worth a dedicated half-day. Not only is it home to a film festival, but it's also recently hosted a film exhibition, injecting an artistic atmosphere into the ancient city. Photo Tips The ancient city wall is breathtakingly beautiful at dusk. The Pingyao-themed wall and warm lanterns at Mousheng Coffee are perfect for photos. The ancient courtyards of Yonglonghao are incredibly atmospheric. Pingyao's charm lies not in rushing to see the sights, but in slowing down and experiencing them. Enjoying a modern cocktail amidst a thousand-year-old street, discovering contemporary art amidst ancient courtyards—this sense of time and space mingling is what makes young people fall in love with this place.

The true way to experience Pingyao isn't to rush through all 22 attractions, but to find your own rhythm like a local. In the morning, let's wake up naturally like a fashionable street shopper and head straight to the open-air courtyard of "Mou Sheng Coffee." Don't just order coffee; try their hot brewed rice beer set (served with fruit and nuts roasted in a small oven). Grab a vintage enamel kettle and bask in the sun in the 600-year-old courtyard. The shop's signature strawberry guava dirty and hawthorn sour concoction is sweet and sour, refreshing and photogenic. In the afternoon, let's escape the crowds and retreat into the quiet courtyard of "Yong Long Hao." It feels more like a private collection than a shop. The master craftsmen don't push sales pitches, but focus solely on their craft. Quietly ask, "Can I see how lacquerware is made?" and you might just be treated to a live demonstration of their intangible cultural heritage. Those gleaming jewelry boxes, imbued with the auspicious meaning of "every box is beautiful," are unique gifts or personal treasures. In the evening, experienced gourmets must order the deep-fried pork and fried bowl tofu at "Baishanxi", but those who know the dish will order a few more dishes: "Fragrant vinegar eggs, Pingyao beef, knife-cut noodles?" It is a textbook-level Shanxi home-style flavor. At night, when cross-border art lovers go to the Pingyao Film Palace, sitting in the art space converted from an old granary, watching a pioneering short film, instantly travel back from the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the present. This magical feeling of time and space interweaving can really be found elsewhere. Players are reminded that the pass is valid for 3 days. If you want to visit 2-3 attractions a day, you just need to wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes. The cobblestone streets of the ancient city are a fitness-level attempt. Spend half a day "getting lost". The life in the alleys is more moving than the main street. #PingyaoFood #PingyaoAncientCity

Pingyao is more than just its ancient city walls and banks. This autumn, thanks to a photography exhibition, I saw a more vibrant side of the city. If you enjoy a trip that tells a story, this guide might be for you. First Stop: Pingyao Film Palace Photography Exhibition The Pingyao Film Palace, formerly a diesel engine factory, now serves as the main venue for the photography exhibition. The red-brick factory buildings are decorated with photographs from around the world, and the black-and-white images collide with the industrial-style space to create a wonderful atmosphere. I recommend allowing at least two hours to explore the exhibition, as there are many photo-friendly corners, such as the rusted iron staircases and the corridors where light and shadow intertwine. A Surprise Hidden in the Alley Mousheng Coffee and Bistro: A small shop you stumbled upon after a long walk. I recommend trying their "Seabuckthorn Americano," perfect for posing in front of the Pingyao sign. After dusk, the place transforms into a bistro, and their new "Wine-Niang Hot Beer" is unique, warm and slightly sweet, perfect for the cooling autumn nights. For a group of friends, order a set meal with a stove and enjoy the brew and roasted oranges around the stove for a truly captivating atmosphere. The fried potato wedges and cakes are also delicious, and there's even a cute little black dog you can pet. A Taste of Pingyao on Your Tongue Baishanxi Restaurant: A long-established branch recommended by local friends. The potato and eggplant diced taro is sour, sweet, and chewy, and the yellow rice jelly dipped in osmanthus honey is refreshing. The deep-fried pork is cooked perfectly, leaving the slices tender and smooth. Prices are over 50 yuan per person, and you might have to wait for a table at mealtimes. Takeaway Intangible Cultural Heritage Memories Yonglonghao Lacquerware: I was drawn to the window of a shop while passing by the city building. An old craftsman was busy polishing a jewelry box, explaining that a single piece of lacquerware undergoes over 30 steps. The shop also has many small ornaments and jewelry boxes with intricate patterns that feel as smooth as jade, making them perfect souvenirs. Travel Tips 1. Walking is possible within the ancient city, so comfortable shoes are essential. 2. The temperature difference between morning and evening in autumn is significant, so it's recommended to bring a jacket. Pingyao's charm may lie in the details: a touching moment encountered during an exhibition, a local story heard in a cafe, or the focused gaze of a master craftsman in a lacquerware shop. This is a city perfect for slowing down and experiencing with your camera and heart.