Jiangkou Hotels with balcony

Staying at Xieshan Jingshe, nestled at the foot of Fanjing Mountain, felt just like going back to my grandma's house when I was a child. Stepping off the car, crossing a small bridge, and entering the courtyard, there was an immediate sense of familiarity and peace. A babbling stream flowed in front, while silent mountains loomed behind. The courtyard was lush with greenery, exuding the scent of damp earth and the passage of time. Moss slowly spread along the flagstone path, and bamboo shadows swayed gently. Koi fish glided serenely in the pond, and the bell by the entrance chimed softly in the breeze, making you instinctively lighten your steps. This wasn't some contrived 'Chinese style,' but a place truly lived in. Their attentiveness was subtle but profound. Knowing roughly when we'd arrive, they'd already warmed the room, even the comforter was toasty. A wisp of sandalwood incense was slowly burning, and the tea set was neatly arranged, as if awaiting its owner's return. The moment I opened the door, my heart felt at ease. The furnishings inside reflected a restrained and tasteful Chinese aesthetic. Carved wooden window lattices, soaring double-leaf Chinese doors, and soft, warm lighting – each item seemed to have stepped out of an earlier time. The collected artifacts and calligraphies were not flashy, yet each quietly told its own story. For dinner, we decided to stay in rather than venture out, opting for a 'home-cooked meal.' Upon hearing our request, the auntie immediately sprang into action – she went to another part of the property, caught a chicken, and stewed a fresh pot of chicken soup. Then she dug fresh fiddlehead ferns from the vegetable patch, still carrying the aroma of earth. There were also her homemade salted duck eggs, not overly salty, yet oily with just one bite. The firewood slowly burned, the soup in the pot gently simmered, and the aroma of the food gradually filled the air. That scent wasn't the refined fragrance of a restaurant, but the long-missed, comforting taste of home. This isn't just a 'chic' guesthouse; it’s far more touching than many of them. It's like a well-preserved slice of life – quiet, authentic, and full of warmth. This is a place one will remember and want to return to for another short stay.

I was exploring Guizhou and decided to hike Fanmingshan. Compared to others, this was a reasonable price and distance to the scenic area. The immediate surrounding village 寨沙东 had some restaurants and stores (although I walked up the road to eat) and was 40 min walk to the entrance. A few other lodging choices are in more remote sections of the river, with only 1 or 2 store fronts or none at all；while a bit cheaper may have no easy transportation or drive options. I was the only person staying and got upgraded, and enjoyed their light breakfast in the morning. The room was well furnished and had a built-in mattress heater which was excellent in the winter. The owner also helped drive me to the entrance and also arrange the 35 rmb shuttle back to Tongren HSR. All in all excellent value and hospitality!

The hotel is conveniently located close to the scenic area entrance. The decor is modern and appealing, but there's room for improvement in the details. For example, the room description mentioned fruit, but there wasn't any. The toothbrush was quite wide and not as comfortable as the packaging claimed. The comforter, being cotton, felt heavy and damp due to the rainy weather. Although breakfast was only 10 yuan, it wasn't very tasty. Perhaps offering à la carte options with better quality, or not providing it at all, would be better.

This is, without a doubt, the best place to stay when climbing Mount Fanjing. As long as you can make it to the Fanjing Mountain parking lot, the owner will take care of everything else for you, including accommodation, meals, parking, tickets, and getting you in with the first group. The guesthouse is located within the scenic area, a two-story wooden building with all rooms on the second floor. The shower water is wonderfully hot and has great pressure. The owner and his wife are fantastic! They provide pick-up and drop-off service between the scenic area parking lot and the guesthouse. We even entered the scenic area with the owner as part of the first group in the morning, and successfully summited Red Cloud Golden Peak with my 80-year-old father.

The butler service at Fanjingshan Yunshe Courtyard is absolutely top-notch. Even before check-in, they proactively sent warm reminders and travel guides. Upon arrival, they helped with luggage and offered locally brewed welcome tea. When the weather turned cold, they brought extra blankets without us asking. Any requests were promptly handled, and their 24/7 attentiveness made us feel right at home. The village where the courtyard is located, Yunshe Village, is truly a fairyland. Known as the 'First Tujia Village in China,' it's framed by green mountains, with the Longtan River winding through. Tujia wooden houses are reflected in the water, and flagstone paths connect fields and homes. There's no commercial hustle and bustle, just ducks and geese swimming, and windmills turning. Strolling through, the natural beauty and slow pace allow for complete relaxation.

I was pleasantly surprised on my first trip here. I booked such a wonderful guesthouse right away. The owner was kind and friendly, and even helped me with my luggage. The courtyard layout was exactly what I wanted, and the cleanliness was also excellent. I would definitely come back again. It was a very satisfying experience!

A hidden gem! This resort type of hotel is so rare in the area. We opted for this hotel for the gorgeous courtyard type of layout. The hotel deserves the attention and my lengthy review as the architect/ designer has such an exquisite taste which shows off in the smallest details. The select of burl wood trims with marble patterns, stylish lighting fixtures… Rooms are spacious and full of technology. Bathroom with heat floor and even ironized glass which offers instant privacy with a click of a button. This hotel alone is worth couple nights of stay where one could plan a getaway from the city life and fully immerse themselves in the hotel’s garden trails. This hotel is great for tourists who prioritize monetary value as It’s essentially a five star luxury resort for a fraction of the price. However, for those who enjoy a slower pace and a peaceful atmosphere away from the busy tourisy area it offers more. This hotel had become an integral part of my spiritual retreat escaping city and exploring the FANJING mountain area. Special thanks to the wonderful customers service team and Lin and Liping for their hospitality.

The environment and sanitation are first-class. I had a very happy stay this time. The price of this location is also very good. There are also food nearby. The house is exquisite and fully equipped. The layout and decoration of the entire room reveal the hotel's design care and skill!

It's the off-season now, and the owner's business is actually doing quite well; several other shops around here are completely empty. It's about a five-minute walk to the East Gate, and there are convenience stores, restaurants, hot pot restaurants, and pharmacies nearby. The Guizhou cuisine restaurant across the street isn't very good. This morning I had breakfast at the place the owner recommended—a bowl of hot beef noodles was very comforting. Luggage can be stored, there's an elevator, and the room faces the street, but it's the off-season and there are very few people, so it's not noisy.

The hillside guesthouse felt like a warm welcome home after a long, tiring day at work. Even before arriving, the owner contacted me to remind me to buy tickets, offering plenty of advice and hiking tips, along with transportation information. There was no need to plan anything here; everything was taken care of – food, accommodation, transportation, and entertainment. Upon arrival, the housekeeper warmly helped with our luggage, and the owner greeted us enthusiastically, like old friends even though we'd never met before. After check-in, we were immediately offered sparkling water, iced coffee, and welcome fruit. The air conditioning was already on, and the room was clean and hygienic, with a small courtyard for easy access. Breakfast wasn't as lavish as a hotel meal, but it was delicious: minced meat rice noodles, fried eggs, steamed corn bread, steamed corn, and millet cakes – the taste was unlike anything you'd find in a pre-made meal. They even packed up the leftovers for us to take hiking. After breakfast, the owner drove us to the scenic area in his Porsche. The scenic area was only 1 kilometer from the guesthouse, but he insisted on driving us there, saying parking would be inconvenient late at night. He also offered to pick us up on the way back, but we took a taxi – very convenient indeed. What surprised me most when we returned to the guesthouse after our hike was the foot bath tub they had provided. We sat in the pavilion, sipping tea and soaking our feet – it was incredibly relaxing. I'll definitely come back and recommend it to my friends. Goodbye!