GGuest UserAfter visiting Zhenguo Temple and Shuanglin Temple, the only reason I planned to stay overnight in Pingyao Ancient City was to stay at the Jia Inn.
The innkeeper contacted me in advance via phone and WeChat, and arranged for a shuttle bus to and from the parking lot near the city wall. The innkeeper, a lovely young lady, greeted me warmly at the inn entrance and introduced the inn.
I stayed in the ”Legend” single room, perhaps inspired by Zhao Tao's solitary journey through Shanghai in the novel ”Legend of the Sea.” The single bed against the wall was small and comfortable, and there was a welcome card on the table, along with some local seasonal fruits and vinegar cakes. Director Jia's books are available for reading freely from the lobby to the rooms.
In the afternoon, I went to the reading café on the second-floor balcony, enjoying the quiet solitude separated from the hustle and bustle of the street by a wall.
The innkeeper welcomes even guests not staying there to come in, take photos, visit, or use the restrooms, further enhancing the inn's ambiance.
In the evening, instead of watching the popular light show or cultural performances in Pingyao, the housekeeper showed me Jia's film ”Platform,” which was filmed in Fenyang more than 20 years ago, in the inn's underground restaurant called ”Platform.” Revisiting the scenes of Cui Mingliang and Ruijuan on the ancient city wall of Pingyao felt much more fitting.
Breakfast was also at ”Platform,” with a mix of Chinese and Western dishes. I ate my fill, and at the end, the housekeeper brought me a small bowl of dumplings, saying, ”Traditionally, dumplings are eaten before boarding, and noodles upon arrival,” which added a touch of warmth.
Seeing my keen interest in film, the housekeeper gifted me a copy of ”Jia Xiang II” and even gave me a bag of bottled water and oranges for my journey.
Even compared to the century-old restaurants I've stayed at in Kyoto, the experience at Jia Inn was like a warming cup of Fenjiu liquor, leaving a lingering aftertaste and giving me a ”key” to always return to ”jia.”
I would definitely come back; highly recommended.
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