Yangzhou State Guesthouse nestles serenely alongside the Slender West Lake, facing scenic spots such as the Long Dike in Spring Willows(also known as Changdichunliu), Xuyuan Garden, and Little Gold Hill across the water, embracing the delicate charm of the lake's shimmering beauty. Encompassing 400 acres of landscaped gardens, the property features fifteen distinct buildings thoughtfully arranged throughout the grounds. Among them are Buildings 1, 2, and 9, which exemplify the artistry of classical garden design, while Buildings 8 and 18 showcase contemporary aesthetics, together creating a modern garden sanctuary that honors tradition while embracing the future.
More than just a place to stay, Yangzhou State Guesthouse is a pilgrimage destination for Huaiyang cuisine. It is home to the "Two-Diamond" Black Pearl-rated restaurant Quyuan Teahouse and the "One-Diamond" restaurant Shan, offering guests unparalleled culinary experiences. The property also boasts a range of premium facilities, including a 50-meter standard hot spring swimming pool, the elegant Lanpu Teahouse, a scenic gym, and a Chinese traditional-style travel photography studio, catering to guests' comprehensive leisure needs.
"Discover a city by staying within a garden." We go beyond providing mere accommodation, striving to create an immersive living experience that integrates Yangzhou's regional spirit and carries forward its millennia-old cultural heritage. Every moment spent here is destined to become a cherished urban memory.
"The hotel kindly upgraded me to Building 11 at Hongqiao Fang. This time, they also included a couple's package for Slender West Lake Hot Spring Resort, which came with a 20 yuan voucher I used for ice cream and grilled sausage. The hotel also offered a free freshly squeezed watermelon juice if you posted a review on Xiaohongshu.
The scenery within the State Guesthouse is picturesque, and the area around Qu Garden Teahouse is like a small corner of Slender West Lake itself – absolutely beautiful.
The hotel also has a hidden gem: you can book a 'Bathing Time' service for the evening through their WeChat official account. There are four options: a rose bath, a skin-brightening sweet orange bath, a relaxing lavender bath, and a parent-child option. You need to book in advance, but if it's fully booked, a quick word with the front desk usually sorts it out. This was for a weekday stay; I'm not sure about weekends.
Here are some of the complimentary services I've discovered and unlocked while staying at the hotel:
1. **Swan Lake**: You can ask the front desk for free swan and fish food (unlimited supply) to feed the swans, ducks, and koi.
2. **Shuttle Service**: Free shuttle to the swimming pool, Qu Garden, or any other building. There's also a free mini-train tour of the gardens with commentary.
3. **Spring Water Swimming Pool**: Absolutely no chlorine smell! The 50-meter lap pool has floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning garden views. It would be a huge miss not to go for a swim if you're staying here.
4. **Bathing Time**"