Among all the cities I've visited both domestically and internationally, Chengdu is the one I frequent the most. And Huajanta Hotel is the only place I repeatedly choose to stay when traveling there. Its elegant and rustic charm, unique to the Shu region, coupled with the meticulous attention to detail in its craftsmanship, is almost inimitable. As the cultural exchange center for the provincial museum, I'm sure scholars from the museum were involved in its design phase; the hotel's logo itself is a testament to this.
Many hotels (including five-star ones) have interior room designs that don't stand the test of time; after 5-6 years without renovation, they become unpresentable. Huajanta is one of the rare hotels that withstands the passage of time. From its elegant and spacious lobby to the intricately carved classical solid wood furniture, exquisite four-poster beds, and writing desks, everything reveals a warm luster that only deepens with age.
The service is also incredibly thoughtful and friendly. I'd like to thank our room attendant, Yanyan, for her warm-hearted service. Beyond the welcome fruit, she delivered daily milk, and even a foot bath bucket with mugwort sachets, all available simply by messaging her on WeChat. I'm especially grateful to the lovely manager at the front desk on the day of check-in – I forgot to ask her name – who promptly upgraded our room from an executive single to a VIP single on the 4th floor. The room offered a direct view of the lotus pond and the magnificent banyan tree beside it, with the museum building beyond. The room itself was spacious and grand, very comfortable, truly making us feel at home.
About ten years ago, when I first stayed here, the rooms were already equipped with Nespresso capsule coffee machines, which I really appreciated. Even today, capsule coffee machines aren't standard in all five-star or boutique hotels.
The breakfast restaurant, Du Lin Fang, maintains the hotel's consistent elegant style in its decor and furnishings. Along the lotus pond, there’s a row of private rooms with a unique scenic view, perfect for gathering with friends. The breakfast selection is quite rich, the noodle station is good, and the appetizers are excellent. The fried dough sticks, however, weren't to my liking. The DeLonghi automatic coffee machine is another highlight.
The hotel's location is superb. A small gate leads directly into the provincial museum. Just across the wall is the large Huanhuaxi Thatched Cottage Park. Standing before the famous calligraphic inscriptions of Du Fu's 'Thousand Poems,' which blend seamlessly with the scenery, reciting the old poet and appreciating the masterful calligraphy is a rare pleasure. With these 'Thousand Poems' steles, Huanhuaxi is a uniquely charming scenic spot in the country, and it's completely free to the public. By Canglang Lake, sitting in the quiet and elegant Du Fu Cultural Center, ordering a cold brew, picking up a poetry collection, reading a few poems, and watching the egrets flutter over the lake – it's truly a moment of stolen leisure. Directly opposite the hotel is Caotang Primary School. Walking along the winding Xunxiang Road beside the Modi River and Xiaonan River, past Xianqiao and Shengxian Bridge, one arrives at Baihuatan Park and Qingyang Palace as if on a cloud. Wandering aimlessly, you might stumble upon the Long Chao Shou Huanhuaxi branch, with its exquisite facade and clean interior. Without the hustle and bustle, you can leisurely enjoy a delicious and affordable bowl of Long Chao Shou, along with various small noodles and stir-fries. Or head south to Baihua Alley and Baihua West Road, where the gentle evening breeze of late spring can give you the illusion of having wandered deep into a hundred flowers.
Original TextTranslation provided by AI
