GS, Cat n I took a weekend trip to Pingyao. Thanks to Karen, who gave us travel info and suggestions. Via the email, we made bookings at the Tian(1) Yuan(2) Kui(2) hotel in Pingyao, which also arranged for a car to pick us up at the airport.
We took an early flight out from Beijing to Taiyuan aiport in Shanxi. On-route to Pingyao, we got the car driver to stop by Qiao Courtyard House - Qiao(2) Jia(1) Yuan(4), where Zhang Yimou's "Raise the Red Lantern" was filmed. Then we drove for another 2 hrs to Pingyao, before checking into Tian Yuan Kui court-yard style hotel. The rest of the day was spent exploring the well-preserved old town - including a Ming dynasty wall that surrounds the town, a yamen, a qian zhuang (money house), a wu guan (martial art school), courtyard houses, ancient temples etc. preserved just like in its hey days. The next morning, we hired another car from the hotel to Wang Courtyard House - Wang(2) Jia(1) Yuan(4), home of the Wang family - which at its peak had more than 1,000 male servants! This is a must-see if you are in Pingyao, far better than Qiao Courtyard house which only became a popular tourist spot after the movie and another local drama series. And it was definitely worth our while to get an interpreter, or we would not have fully appreciated the Wang Courtyard House.
没有评论:
发表评论