Spirited Silky Inn（ncient Dali City）

This trip to Dali, I gave myself a reason to 'live amidst the scenery.' So I chose the Zhongli Qianxun Courtyard Hotel (Dali Ancient City South Gate Branch) – and the result was even better than expected: it's not one of those B&Bs that 'looks good in photos but is just ordinary to stay in,' but rather a place where every detail, from day to night, from the courtyard to the rooms, makes you want to slow down. 🏯 Courtyard: The gentle charm of the ancient city at a glance The hotel features a typical Chinese quadrangle courtyard structure, with grey tiles, wooden corridors, and carved windows. Walking along the verandas, you can't help but slow your pace. During the day, the light falls on the wood, casting a warm glow; looking down from above, the courtyard is enclosed in a quiet embrace, almost like switching from 'travel rush mode' to 'living mode.' Even more surprising – you can see the outline of the mountains in the distance. As dusk falls, the sky gradually turns blue-grey, and the mountain ridges appear like silhouettes. In that moment, you suddenly understand: the beauty of Dali isn't about hustle and bustle, it's about tranquility. 🐟 Waterside Fish Pond: Koi + Lotus Leaves + Reflections, truly photo-worthy The pond in the center of the courtyard is a huge bonus: lotus leaves float on the water, koi swim to and fro, and the water acts like a mirror, reflecting the eaves, lanterns, and verandas. My favorite way to shoot is with a low camera angle near the water – the reflections are absolutely stunning, especially after the lights come on at night, it's as if another world appears in the water. 🏮 Nighttime Ambiance: When the lights come on, the courtyard 'glows' At night, as the lanterns light up one by one, the entire atmosphere of the space completely transforms: During the day, it's elegant; at night, it's gentle with a touch of luxury. Sitting by the courtyard, listening to the sound of water, and watching the reflections, time seems to slow down immensely – that feeling of 'truly starting to relax on a trip' happens in this very moment. 🎁 Welcome Perks: Free afternoon tea + Free traditional costume experience (so much fun) Two additional 'enjoy-upon-check-in' perks make me want to recommend this place even more: 🍵 Free Afternoon Tea for Two (by the pond/waterside) Available once during your stay, from 13:30 to 18:00. The afternoon tea includes Dali aged tea and Dali's distinctive preserved plums (which I found very local). Sipping tea by the water is perfect for slowly letting go of the day's fatigue. 👘 Free Traditional Costume Experience: Full range of ancient/ethnic attire There’s a whole rack of clothes to choose from, enough to make your head spin. If you love taking photos, this experience is truly fantastic – shooting amidst the wooden corridors, carved doors and windows, and the lantern-lit night creates an incredible atmosphere. 🛏 Room Experience: Warm wooden space, comfortable stay The rooms are predominantly wood-toned, with warm lighting, making them very relaxing to be in. The bedding is clean, and the space feels unconfined. The worst part of traveling is when 'the outside is beautiful, but the room is hard to sleep in,' but that's not the case here. 🚿 I'm also satisfied with the bathroom: it’s generally clean and comfortable, the ceramic basin sink has a great texture, and the shower area is spacious enough, ensuring a worry-free stay.

Traveling to Dali, I chose to stay at the 'Zhongli Qianxun' courtyard hotel near the South Gate of the ancient city. Unlike the towering buildings in the bustling downtown, it quietly awaits guests with the gentle charm of a traditional Bai-style residence. The day before check-in, the hotel sent a thoughtful reminder with accurate and detailed navigation instructions for driving. Upon arrival, the staff proactively helped with my luggage and offered a warm cup of tea as a welcome. The wooden carvings under the eaves, with their dragon and phoenix patterns, and relief sculptures of flowers, birds, fish, and insects, exude a timeless artistry. In the traditional courtyard paved with bluestone slabs, traces of moss are shallow, water ripples gently, and fish frolic. Waking up, the first ray of sunlight pierces through the clouds, and golden light bathes the continuous mountain peaks; in the evening, with the ancient city's hustle and bustle just beyond the walls, I brewed a pot of Pu'er tea in the courtyard, enjoying only the serene passage of time. As dusk settled, the courtyard lanterns lit up one by one, their warm yellow glow softly outlining the contours of the upturned eaves. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, the wooden carving patterns became even more profound. The manager and staff, Xiao Fen, Xiao Hui, and others whose names I couldn't recall, had smiles as warm as the lamplight. The Bai-style suite was elegant, and the service was wonderfully comforting, quietly melting away the fatigue of the journey. Searching for it through countless moments, I suddenly turned back to find that courtyard, that lamplight, and that stretch of Cangshan Mountain were precisely the softest moments of my time in Dali.

Even though I only stayed for one night, my experience was excellent. The hotel is located very close to the South Gate of the ancient city, making it super convenient to walk there. I especially loved the hotel's antique and charming ambiance, and the way the rooms surround the lobby really reminded me of the movie 'Big Fish & Begonia'. Also, the staff were incredibly warm and friendly, and they even extended my check-out by two hours, which I really appreciated as it helped with my inconvenience. Many thanks!

The hotel has a charming, antique style, and it's very photogenic, which makes it popular with travelers from all over the world! The overall service is also quite good. However, the steps from the hotel lobby down to the ground are quite high. We've heard some guests complain that it's inconvenient when they're carrying luggage or a stroller. Also, the guesthouse next to the hotel is currently under renovation, so it can be quite noisy during the day.