5-Star Hotels in Shanxi, China

Visiting Pingyao to marvel at its ancient city, steeped in a thousand years of history, and experience life from the Ming and Qing dynasties feels like a trip back in time around every corner. So, where should you stay at night? You absolutely must experience this charming, antique-filled courtyard residence. Strolling along the cobblestone streets of Pingyao Ancient City, you can feel the weight of history and the richness of culture. When traveling in Pingyao, what kind of experience do you seek? Everyone who appreciates traditional culture dreams of having their own courtyard – with tall trees, a cat napping beneath them, and birds chirping in the branches. During leisure time, sitting alone in the courtyard, sipping tea and reading, living as freely as the clouds. Many visitors to Pingyao prefer staying in a guesthouse or inn. With so many options in Pingyao, how do you choose? Consider a courtyard like this one, where 'you can hear the birds in the morning and await the lingering sunset in the evening'.

On my trip to Datong, I booked a stay at the Howard Johnson Jindi Plaza Datong, located right by the ancient city, through Trip.com. It's rated 5 stars online, and it truly lives up to the hype! As soon as I checked in, I was upgraded for free to a deluxe business suite. It was my first time seeing a suite with a dining table big enough to host over 10 friends and family. After one night, I switched back to my originally booked business king room. The king room was also incredibly comfortable, measuring a spacious 62 square meters. Opening the curtains revealed views of Datong's streets. If you walk to the end of the corridor, you can even see a panoramic view of the ancient city of Datong. What truly stands out is the fantastic Chinese restaurant at this 5-star hotel. I stayed in Datong for three days, and除了one lunch I had in Hunyuan Ancient City, all my other five lunches and dinners were enjoyed at the hotel's Chinese restaurant. Here, a bowl of Shanxi's specialty knife-cut noodles is only 6 RMB, and a bowl of cold noodles, even tastier than those in Hunyuan, is just 3 RMB. You can order half portions of shumai, and during the first dog days of summer, they even had dumplings. I tried the braised deer tendon with scallions, something I'd never had before, and it was superb, as were the husband and wife lung slices and jellyfish salad – perfect with drinks. Dining here is delicious and affordable. If you top up 200 RMB, you even get a complimentary plate of Shanxi's signature 'guoyourou' (fried pork in sauce). A huge shout-out also goes to the restaurant staff. They are warm, thoughtful, and genuinely care for guests, even advising against ordering too much, ensuring just the right amount! In summary, I give a 5-star rating to both the hotel and the F&B department. The last photo is of the hotel's breakfast, which was also excellent. The hotel has two breakfast restaurants, so even with many guests, it never feels crowded!

I stayed at the Kempinski for a business trip, and the overall experience exceeded my expectations. The hotel is centrally located with convenient transportation and a bustling commercial district nearby. The concierge proactively helped with my luggage, and the front desk service was professional and efficient, with no tedious waiting throughout. My room had excellent natural light, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a superb view. The bathroom amenities were high-quality, and the soundproofing was excellent, ensuring an undisturbed night's rest. Breakfast offered a comprehensive selection, from Western pastries to Chinese congee and noodles, and the freshly ground coffee was delicious. The Executive Lounge provided a quiet environment, perfect for meetings or relaxation, and the well-equipped gym was great for a workout during my business trip. The German hotel chain's attention to detail was exceptional, and it offered great value for money. I highly recommend it for business travelers.

The Taiyuan Nanzhonghuan Intercity Hotel is conveniently located directly opposite the International Financial Center, offering easy access to dining and shopping. Parking is convenient, making it ideal for guests traveling by car. The hotel is very new, with well-equipped rooms and a simple yet elegant decor. It's exceptionally clean, and the breakfast is extensive, featuring both Western and Chinese options, as well as local Shanxi specialties. The front desk service was excellent; they thoughtfully upgraded my room. Everything was thoroughly satisfying, and I'll definitely choose the Nanzhonghuan Intercity Hotel again on my next visit to Taiyuan.

Although it is an old hotel, the service attitude is still very comfortable. Ms. Cairong at the front desk helped me deliver my luggage to the room. The dining environment is very clean and hygienic, and the dishes are plentiful... The waiter Guo Defeng has been warmly asking what to drink, and he also helped to bring fruits. The chef Han Maorong is also a super funny girl, telling me that there are freshly cooked noodles, wontons, fried eggs, etc. , The variety is quite complete~ The hotel as a whole makes me feel very comfortable and awesome!

I only chose Yunlong Grand Hotel when I came to Datong, and was upgraded to Wyndham, but the room seemed a bit smaller than what I originally booked. The decor and amenities were impeccable, but the water was truly yellow. Even after running the water in the bathtub for two days, it was still yellow. Also, the swimming pool and bath tickets are basically useless; there's no shallow pool for kids, only a deep one, and you have to buy a swimming ring. Since we were traveling, buying a swimming ring was inconvenient to carry, and there were none available for rent.

Staying at Ruifeng Tower was definitely the best decision for our Datong trip! The hotel is located right in the heart of the ancient city, within walking distance of attractions like Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple, making it super convenient. The rooms have an antique charm, and when you open the window, you're greeted with the sight of traditional courtyards and intricate eaves. What truly delighted me were the books in the room. Reading them before bed, the glory of Pingcheng during the Northern Wei Dynasty and the prosperity of the Liao and Jin secondary capitals came alive on the pages, adding a wonderful cultural depth to our journey. The breakfast buffet was abundant, and the staff were warm and professional. Next time I'm in Datong, I'll definitely choose Ruifeng Tower again, to immerse myself in the unique charm of this ancient capital amidst its scholarly ambiance and historic beauty!

The hotel is located within the scenic area, and the shuttle service is very convenient. We even received complimentary tickets to Fanyinli upon check-in! The indoor temperature was perfect without needing the AC, and the breakfast offered a variety of choices – I highly recommend the knife-cut noodles! I hope they can replace the toilets in the family rooms with more powerful flushing ones.

On this trip, after leaving my job, I've stayed in many places, but Datong was the most surprising city. It's full of historical sites, delicious food, and a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere. But what surprised me even more was the guesthouse I chose. I did extensive research and ultimately decided to stay within the ancient city, which turned out to be incredibly convenient for dining, lodging, and getting around. It was fantastic and perfectly suited me. Initially, I considered guesthouses in the Southeast District, but they were all new, and their styles were quite similar and unremarkable, much like guesthouses in other cities. So, I picked one with unique traditional Chinese characteristics, and it completely exceeded my expectations. The breakfast was exactly to my liking – nutritious and light. The room was warm and cozy, and the toiletry kit was amazing, with thoughtful items inside. Even though it's been in the ancient city for ten years, the decor and renovation show no sign of age; it's incredibly well-maintained. The housekeeper mentioned they had just upgraded all the rooms before my arrival, haha! 😄 This guesthouse truly helped my restless mind calm down. It felt like staying in a museum. The aunties and housekeepers working here told me stories about every single object and corner, which deeply moved me. This is what a guesthouse should be – unpretentious and full of stories. The biggest surprise this time was having the chance to meet the owner, a wonderful lady. She was so nice, I initially thought she was just another staff member; she had absolutely no airs. More importantly, her experiences and background are incredible – she does extreme sports and has even climbed Mount Everest! Talking with her made me feel so comfortable and helped me let go of a lot of things. Thank you for the encounter; it was truly destiny. This was the most unexpected gain from my trip to Datong, and I will definitely go back if I get the chance! It felt just like home, with no sense of unfamiliarity whatsoever.

Dude, I'm gonna strongly recommend Yunjincheng Mansion! It's got an awesome location, right in the heart of Pingyao Ancient City. You can just take a stroll to major attractions like Rishengchang Draft Bank. It's super convenient to get around. The century - old courtyard has that classic and elegant charm, so peaceful and refined. You can totally immerse yourself in the style of the Shanxi merchant compound. The guest rooms are clean, tidy, and comfy. The toiletries are really good, and the stay was great. They even gave us a foot - soaking bucket. How sweet is that! The breakfast has a wide variety. There are freshly - made hand - cut noodles, pure Shanxi aged vinegar brewed on the spot, and freshly - ground coffee that smells amazing and tastes so rich. The staff are friendly and polite, and their service is so detailed. The turn - down service at night really shows they care. I felt so comfortable throughout the stay. I'll definitely choose this place next time I come!