Planning a visit to Qingyan Ancient Town? Looking for something cheap, comfy and uniquely local? Then the Qishe Inn may be one of your best options for value.
We stayed at this small inn with our family of five during our Qingyan Ancient Town trip and I have to say, it was better than I expected for the price. Featuring traditional Chinese boutique décor, warm wooden floors and finishes, relaxing tea corners, and spacious family-style rooms fit for travelers of any age, Qishe Inn reminds you more of quaint countryside inn than a backpackers’ hostel.
The biggest surprise for me was the space you get here for less than 500 RMB. For the location, decor and space you get in the family room, this was one of our best travel deals in Guizhou.
First Impressions of Qishe Inn
This hotel sits just outside of the west gate section of Qingyan Ancient Town. It was perfectly located. Close enough where you could easily walk into town. Far enough away that it was quiet at night.
The first thing you notice is the style. This isn’t your cookie cutter hotel. Qishe Inn definitely has that Guizhou boutique vibe. Wooden beams, tea tables, bamboo blinds, local handmade furniture, and subtle natural lighting throughout.
It really felt more like a modern day tea house combined with a Chinese style guest house.
Location Near Qingyan Ancient Town
One major benefit of staying here was location.
From what was listed on the property page, Qishe Inn was roughly 640 meters away from Qingyan Ancient Town. Distance wise when we actually were here, it felt very short. It was a quick walk even with luggage and a child.
It being that far away actually benefited us because we avoided the larger crowds/tourists and noise within the Ancient town itself.
We were able to visit Qingyan during the day, walk around the food streets and old buildings. Then return back here which was significantly more quiet to relax.
For those visiting Guiyang who want a more low-key cultural experience, this place hits that sweet spot.
The Family Room Experience
We had reserved a family room for five people, and I honestly thought this was the best part of our stay.
Our room was bright, airy, and had a lot more space than we expected. The tall wooden ceilings and massive windows allowed the entire space to feel very calming during the day.
The windows also faced the mountain which brought a sense of tranquility to the room that was perfect for families looking to slow travel.
The decor was very minimalistic with an emphasis on wooden textures and muted neutral colors. Rather than trying to be luxurious in an aggressive way, it was cozy.
I loved how much sunlight streamed into our room in the mornings.
We ended up spending a lot of time lounging in the seating area by the windows after exploring Qingyan Ancient Town all day.
Family-Friendly Features
When traveling with kids, hotel preferences take on a whole new perspective.
Qishe Inn was unexpectedly kid-friendly in many aspects.
First, the space allowed kids to run around more freely. Some family rooms I’ve stayed in China become quite cramped once suitcases are opened. This room wasn’t like that at all.
Second, the quieter atmosphere allowed for easier nap times and sleep at night.
Third, the bathroom turned into my kid’s favorite feature at the hotel.
There was a big soaking tub right across floor to ceiling windows that faced bamboo outside. It was very relaxing and had a sort of resort feel to it.
Little details like this matter when traveling with young children because it allows them to look forward to doing something fun after a long day of sightseeing.
Traditional Yet Comfortable Design
I liked that Qishe Inn felt traditional without being uncomfortable.
While travelling in older style towns you’ll find some inns that look nice online but end up feeling uncomfortable. Often walls can be thin, bathrooms dated, or air conditioning non existent.
Luckily that wasn’t a problem here. You get modern amenities such as:
- Air conditioning
- Curtains that block out all sunlight
- Big windows
- Soft Beds
- Spacious Bathroom
- 24hr Front Desk
- 24hr Room Service
The curtains that block out sunlight were nice because our room got a lot of sunlight in the morning.
Even the cleanliness felt very secure while we stayed.
Service Experience
The owner/staff was another factor that made our stay enjoyable.
The owner (老板) was super friendly/attentive/helpful during our entire stay. Assisted us with luggage/ even carried stuff for us when we didn’t ask.
This goes a long way in smaller boutique hotels/inns because you don’t feel like you’re just exchanging money for a service.
I felt that every staff/person we interacted with at Qishe Inn were friendlier than at big chain hotels ( where sometimes it feels rushed).
Even offered us advice on how to get into Qingyan Ancient Town and tips.
Is Qishe Inn Worth the Price?
For less than 500 RMB for a family room (sleeps 5) I truly believe this was a steal.
Family rooms in tourist towns go from cheap to expensive fast once you need more than one bed/larger rooms.
We received:
- Large room suitable for families
- Beautifully decorated with traditional flair
- Peaceful environment
- Steps from Qingyan Ancient Town
- Friendly service
- Feel like you are away from it all
You can’t find that combo for that price. Sure it wasn’t 5-star resort living but it certainly felt like a nice curated boutique style hotel that exceeded expectations for the price.
Who Should Stay at Qishe Inn?
In my opinion Qishe Inn is ideal for:
Kids and families visiting Qingyan Ancient Town
Rooms are spacious and location is quieter making travel with little ones much easier.
Couple’s intimate boutique escape
Tea-house theme and wooden décor lends itself to very romantic and relaxing environment.
Adventure travelers wanting unique local ambiance
If you hate chain hotels and want your lodging to have some personality this place is full of it.
Chill pill travelers interested in Guizhou
Qishe really syncs with the slower, cultural pace of Qingyan Ancient Town & Guizhou in general.
Things to Keep in Mind
Nothing is perfect and here are some things I will note.
Just keep in mind this is a locally run boutique style hotel, versus a large internationally known hotel chain.
There will be less English ability than you might find at a hotel in a larger city. Communication was still simple enough for us though, especially with the help of translation apps.
There will be more of a traditional feel versus a ultra modern feel.
I actually kind of liked that for an authentic feel.
Final Verdict
Of all the places we stayed at during our Guizhou trip, Qishe Inn surprisingly turned out to be one of my favorites.
It was affordable yet authentically Chinese, comfortable for families yet quaint, and relaxing with a low-key atmosphere.
If you’re traveling to Qingyan Ancient Town and are looking for something other than a typical western hotel chain, then look no further.
What really threw me was the price. To find a room this nice with plenty of space for a family of five for less than 500 RMB was honestly difficult to beat.
Would I recommend staying at Qishe Inn again?
Definitely, if you’re planning a trip with kids or you value comfort, ambience, and location over name brand luxury.
Qishe Inn is perfect if you like quaint boutique hotels with wooden decor, tea-house style atmospheres, and a tranquil environment.
Qishe Inn Review: Cozy Family Stay Near Qingyan Ancient Town