More of Ping An

These ladies carried our overnight bags in wicker baskets on their backs all the way up the hill and then back down again the next day. At least they didn't have to carry us!

A view of our hotel, the LiAn Lodge, from above.

This hotel was among the most unusual we've ever stayed in. Designed and built by a Chinese man, Keren Su, an artist and photographer of note who lives in Seattle, it has 16 rooms, all different and each filled with antiques and fine art. Apparently, Mr. Su discovered Ping An in 1997 and decided to build this hotel there. There are other small hotels and guest houses, but this is the most unique. It is entirely made of wood with no nails, all tongue and groove. We were the only guests and Rosely, one of the three hotel staff, was our personal guide and chief cook and bottle washer. She walked us all through the village (yes, we walked on our own), lower where the shops and restaurants are, and higher where the above view of the hotel was taken and then later she showed us every room in the hotel so we could see for ourselves the genius of Mr. Su. I've never seen anything quite like it. Each room has a name and a theme--ours was Celadon, and there was Batik, Rock, Calligraphy, Music, etc. Our room was done in soft greens with antique porcelain pieces around the bed and windows on two sides. Not large, but so beautiful and comfortable. The way the hotel is perched on the side of the hill is amazing. Ping An is like an Asian version of a European "perched village" where all you do is wonder at the people who managed to build it at all.

Rosely has a great command of English and we all loved her. She is only 23 and was hired sight unseen by Mr. Su right out of college where she majored in "Management of Agricultural Economy." She is a bit lonely though, because as you can imagine, Ping An is a bit isolated and the young people are few. Rosely diplomatically said she had great respect for the hill people, but had a bit of trouble relating to them and one can see why. We all predicted a great future for Rosely as a tour guide, which is what she wants to do next, after she completes her "obligation" to Mr. Su. She has so much charisma and personality, she will do fine and we encouraged her to get her resume out there now. We've already received an email from her and we plan to keep in touch.