Every brick and stone tells a story. Every street and alley narrates tales of the past and present.
Kang Qian Ji Mansion is located at No. 33, Chang Xiang Street, within the ancient city of Pingyao. It was constructed in 1838 during the reign of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty. Currently, it is a county-level cultural heritage site. It was originally the residence of Wang Jin-ting, the manager of the Pingyao Tiancheng Heng Bank’s Hankou branch. Wang Jin-ting (1859–1938), whose full name was Quan Yi and whose courtesy name was Jin-ting, was from the village of Xi Zhang Zhao in Pingyao. In his youth, he worked in the Tiancheng Heng Bank. After the bank’s collapse, he was recommended by Lu Rongting, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, to serve as an assistant manager at the Guangxi Bank. In 1924, Wang Jin-ting purchased the residence at No. 33 Chang Xiang Street in Pingyao’s ancient city, which had originally been a government residence. The courtyard’s floor plan features a pair of phoenixes spreading their wings, with the phoenix facing the grain market and its tail extending over the Helaoxian Bridge, symbolizing vitality and auspiciousness.
The courtyard has weathered the passage of time, and with the changes in society, it was acquired by Kang Qian Ji Catering Company in 2025. We uphold the “Deren” principle of the Jin merchants, striving to restore and maintain the original state of the courtyard. The courtyard’s brick carvings of the麒麟 delivering children symbolize the owner’s dedication to preserving the Jin merchant culture and their best wishes for the guests. The wooden carvings of the phoenix and dragon support the pillars, showcasing the courtyard’s grandeur and elegance. Additionally, we have incorporated environmental and humanistic sciences to adopt a modern, luxurious style within the rooms, equipped with smart guest control systems, custom-made bathrooms, and ergonomically designed memory foam bedding and mattresses. The mansion has been transformed into a masterpiece that seamlessly blends ancient craftsmanship with modern technology.
After a century of existence, the ancient courtyard has been reborn as the “Kang Qian Ji Mansion.” We respect the original appearance of the cultural relics, preserving the principle of “etiquette” and emphasizing rectitude, with a strong vertical axis and balanced symmetry in the architectural style. Yet, within the interior, modern elements of light luxury and elegance have been integrated, blending tradition with modernity to add an extra touch of comfort and modernity to your trip to Pingyao.
"If you're wondering where to stay in Pingyao, look no further than Kangqianji. It's located within the ancient city walls, offering a peaceful retreat while still being just a four-minute walk from the bustling main streets when you're ready for some action. Beyond its excellent location, it provides a sense of comfort and security for travelers, with meticulous attention to detail: full underfloor heating, Nongfu Spring mineral water, individually sealed toilet paper rolls with expiration dates, and a sofa bed (perfect for friends, as it effectively provides two large beds). The staff are incredibly warm and welcoming, always ready to draw out travel routes for you. (They even helped us buy 'Impression Pingyao' tickets, saving us 20 yuan per ticket! When we checked out at 5 AM, hoping to slip away quietly to avoid disturbing anyone, they still chased after us to give us a souvenir. When we couldn't get tickets for our return journey during the peak Chinese New Year period, they kindly contacted a friend to get us a ride to the station and purchase tickets on board). Our positive experience extended beyond the accommodation. We ate at the hotel's namesake restaurant (which offered a discount), and the waitress, seeing two girls, recommended a set meal under 100 yuan. The dishes were fresh, delicious, and generously portioned – not pre-cooked. We ended up sorting out both lunch and dinner for under a hundred yuan. We also did a travel photoshoot there (also with a discount). The base makeup was applied very meticulously, and the photographer was excellent at guiding our poses. The proprietress was incredibly gentle. When there was a slight misunderstanding about the package details, her first reaction was to ask the owner how they usually explain things, never trying to take advantage of outsiders or act superior. The next day, when we arrived for the official shoot, we were immediately ushered in for makeup, and we proactively paid after the photos were done. For our major expenses in Pingyao, we opted for services under the hotel's umbrella, primarily for convenience. However, these small details really painted a picture, leaving us with a very favorable impression of the people of Pingyao. Despite being a famous tourist spot, the local culture isn't commercialized at all. In the small alleys, you find family-run noodle shops and independent vendors selling snacks – all clean, hygienic, and delicious. Perhaps we were lucky, but we want to share that luck with you: if you're wondering where to stay in Pingyao, choose Kangqianji; if you're wondering where to go, choose Pingyao and experience this 'Silver Empire' and its righteous ancient city, willing to save one person even if it means sacrificing 232. (I don't usually write reviews for my purchases, this is purely my post-trip reflection, so no photos.)"