Looks like I am headed back to Beijing and environs over Labor Day. After reading so many recommendations on FT for Pingyao, I've decided to go there for a couple of days and see the ancient walled city. Trying to figure out where to stay for 2 nights and thought I'd ask for advice.

I don't like to be rushed when I travel, so I figured 2 days was long enough to ramble around and see the old town. I'm traveling by myself and I don't speak a word of Chinese. I need to stay someplace where they speak some English (yeah, I know-- the ugly american...) My other real requirement is a western toilet. I would like to stay somewhere historic in the old part of the city if I can.

Based on TripAdvisor reviews, I am considering Jing's Residence and the Yide Hotel, but I am open to suggestions.

My basic plan for this trip is to recuperate a night in Beijing then take the bus to Chengde for 2 nights, return to Beijing for 5 nights (and see everything I missed on my last trip) and then take the high speed train to Pingyao for two nights before i return to Beijing and fly home. Any more cities than that and I think that I'm spending the whole trip on the train. I will most likely stay at the Imperial Mountain Resort in Chengde and with SPG or Marriott in Beijing as I have plenty of points.

FWIW, I did Shanghai-Xian-Beijing (with day trips to Suzhou and Hangzhou) on my last China trip and I have already spent a day at an un-restored section of the Great Wall. Lovely trip, but I want to do something different this time.

Anyone have a recommendation for a hotel in Pingyao? Will also take restaurant recommendations for any of the cities I'll be in.

Thanks!