Dali Muxi Dali · Huoshan Hotel

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a leisurely time in the mountains, this hotel is well worth it, even if it takes half an hour to get there from the foot of the mountain. There are very few rooms, which means the staff can dedicate more attention and time to each guest, making you feel right at home and fostering a sense of intimacy. We arrived at night, and pulling back the curtains revealed the lights along both sides of Erhai Lake; it must be even more beautiful during the fishing season. Waking up in the morning, you're greeted by the morning mist over Erhai Lake and mountain views, with the blue and white landscape dotted with the yellow pears found everywhere in the hotel, and two visiting tabby cats. The food was delicious; I bought plums and wild mushrooms to mail home. The art museum isn't finished yet, but you can already glimpse its future beauty. It's interesting how this hotel, while retaining Dali's characteristics, resembles a complex like the Getty Museum and Getty Garden in Los Angeles, even sharing the same sunny, dry, and windy climate. I hope to have the chance to experience the different beauty of this hotel in different seasons in the future.

The Hushan Hotel was absolutely the highlight and a wonderful surprise of our Yunnan trip. Every corner offered a beautiful view, and all the details, including the hot water delivery time, were unexpectedly excellent. The wall tiles, floor tiles, paint, music, ambient lighting, wood finishes, brass hardware, and furniture—even the placement of the central air conditioning vents—were all meticulously thought out. The service was comprehensive and friendly, and the dinner service rivaled fine dining. I hope to stay longer next time to enjoy a slower pace of life, read a book, sip some tea, gaze at the mountains, and get some good rest.

This hotel is truly exceptional! Excellent location, superb design, quality construction, and fantastic service! The 80-year-old architect is truly impressive. Though not formally trained, his passion for design shines through, making him an architect with a real soul! It took 10 years to build this hotel! The art museum on the mountaintop is still under construction, but the architectural forms are mostly complete, and it looks like another great design. We can't wait to see it finished! We will definitely be back!

I was inexplicably moved by Baxun, the octogenarian Bai architect. For 10 years, Mu Xi Dali Huo Shan has offered panoramic views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, an independent sanctuary where light and shadow dance. It feels like a temple built on a mountaintop – slow, restrained, and timeless. From the moment we started ascending the winding mountain road, I initially wondered why my friend recommended a hotel that was even further up the mountain past Shuanglang, with such a tortuous path. Even though I had prepared myself mentally, by the time I checked out and was descending, everything filled me with profound respect. Having stayed in many excellent hotels both domestically and internationally, like Songtsam, Amans, and Four Seasons, Mu Xi Dali Huo Shan became the one and only in my heart during that descent. It was an unforgettable journey that stirred the soul. I kept thinking about how those naturally pieced-together stones, the fair-faced concrete, and all the timber and steel were transported up such rugged, winding mountain roads. How did they organize so many stonemasons, carpenters, and plasterers to complete this unadorned hotel and art museum, which seems to organically grow out of the mountain forests and vegetation? Returning to the texture of the earth, it’s all built with reverence for nature. The staff are exclusively Bai ethnic people, and unlike the standardized, 'trained' service at typical five-star hotels, there's a genuine warmth and naturalness. We spotted a pear in the corner of the wall and mentioned how much we'd like to eat it, and a young Bai man immediately reached out and picked it for us. It felt like playing house as a child. There's no sense of distance here; in fact, it's so inviting that even before leaving, we were already planning our next visit. Baxun isn't just an architect; he's more like a director intimately familiar with the changing seasons, directing and starring in a grand natural drama of light and shadow over Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. He's also like a magician, awakening the innate desire for simplicity within our genes. It’s like a natural dojo, allowing one to shed all tension and anxiety, and sleep soundly enveloped by nature, relieving stress and truly being oneself for a day, with a full sense of ease. At this moment, I truly felt like myself. It was such a delightful surprise. This is not a conventional hidden gem. The local humanistic touch opens the hearts of so many faraway guests. It's beyond words; each person who experiences it must feel it for themselves. All language seems superfluous and pale. As someone who never writes reviews, I've written this expansive piece out of pure emotion. Even after leaving, it leaves a lingering, endless aftertaste. I think this is what a good hotel should be. Everything is just right. I recommend it to everyone who is destined to experience Mu Xi Dali.

Mu Xi Huo Shan Hotel boasts exceptional design, both in its aesthetics and amenities, along with excellent service and dining. The afternoon tea is particularly exquisite, making it a perfect spot to unwind and relax. While it's a bit far from Shuanglang (a 45-minute drive), it's ideal for those who prefer to stay put and enjoy a peaceful hotel getaway!