Today was the first day of my vacation, if you don’t count the traveling I did
overnight. It all began last night, at the Xi’an train station. When I arrived, the station, like I expected, was packed to walls. There were people seated on every available space as well as standing and waiting for their trains. Being so close to Chinese New Year, the train system in China is being stressed to its limits. After a two hour wait for my train, we finally took off at a max speed of 120 KPH toward Pingyao. I had from about 11:00PM to 6:15AM to sleep on the train, but due to the jerky motions and stops and starts most of my sleep was pretty unfulfilling. As a result I think I was just as tired when I finally arrived in Pingyao as I was when I first went to sleep.
When I arrived in Pingyao it was still dark. I didn’t really know where to go but I simply followed the other people to the train station exit. On the outside of the train station I must have been asked if I needed a taxi at least 5 or 6 times. I didn’t. The hostel I was looking for was only a couple kilometers away, and I wanted to see the city early in the morning before most people were awake. I stopped for breakfast, and ate some sort of noodles and bread, though I don’t really know what it was called.
My first look at the old city of Pingyao was beautiful. The surrounding city wall and the old buildings within, give it a very quiet and ancient feeling, like stepping back in time a bit. I found my hostel without too much hassle and despite having requested a dormitory style room I was given a really nice double room for only 30 yuan. I guess they don’t have too many visitors here. Finding such a nice room warm room, compared to the cold air outside, I decided this was an opportune time to take a quick nap.
Later on in the morning I took a quick tour along the city wall to see the old city from above. On this walk with a guide I learned that most of the buildings in the old city are nearly 200 years old, as well as one that is nearly 400 years old! I also learned that one of the first banks in China was started in Pingyao, which propelled it to be a bustling economic city in ancient times.
Lunch was actually very entertaining, not because of the food, but because of the young daughter of the restaurant’s owner. I don’t think she was much more than 4 but she wanted to talk, a lot. So while I ate we chatted, and she showed me some of her books, pointing out what was happening in the pictures. She was in actually very entertaining and gave me a sticker just like the one she stuck on her forehead.
Lunchtime Entertainment
During the afternoon I did a bit more exploring, and just took in the scenery. After walking around for awhile I decided I was rather tired and decided to stop in to one of the local Chinese massage parlors. I received a full body and foot massage for 100 yuan (~$15). The 1.5 relaxing hours was totally worth it.
For dinner I tried the famous “Pingyao beef”, which was actually cold pieces of beef dipped in chili powder and vinegar, decent tasting I guess, but not necessarily worth the expensive price. After dinner I headed back to my hostel where I had a nice chat with the owner and played some cards with some of the employees. Tomorrow I’ll head to Taiyuan to see Jinfei.
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