Zhuanshanzhuanshuizhuanqian
Beyond the world of boutique B&Bs, where internet celebrities often visit online stores, merchants slap up sales, and so-called "experts" exchange properties for what they actually want, there are always those who cling to their passions. Yourantai is one of them. Twenty years ago, before Chinese people began traveling en masse, international friends from Switzerland were already finding their own way of life in this remote town. While it may seem so close to the city now, even enjoying tea on the terrace might be disturbed by the sound of pilings driving across the river, 20 years ago, even Splashing Water Square and Walmart were vegetable fields. It took a lot of courage to pursue a dream on this hilltop.
The inn has only five guest rooms, with several Dai wooden buildings scattered amidst a vast expanse of hillside jungle. The diverse flora reveals the passion and dedication of the owner 20 years ago, meticulously crafting this hillside. Many species are not native to the rubber forest and had to be transplanted from far away. The Dai-style wooden buildings, constructed to best suit the local climate, while also ingeniously designing and addressing the shortcomings of traditional architecture, also demonstrate the owner's deep love and patience for the local ethnic customs. It's a bit regrettable, but understandable. With the passage of time and the changing mindset of the founder, now in his 70s, the environment has become somewhat neglected. After all, maintaining the exquisite beauty of such a vast forest and distinctive architecture requires not only money and labor, but also the owner's constant attention and dedication. Also, a friendly reminder: there are no railings on the winding, rugged paths and cliffside sections. While I understand that adults should be responsible for their own paths, and that excessive protective measures can easily lead to tension and a lack of relaxation, and flat roads lack artistic conception, frankly, this doesn't align with Chinese conditions. We need winding paths to lead to secluded places while also ensuring safety and freedom from responsibility, so we can feel at ease and at ease, right? Finding that balance requires the owner to carefully design both the form and the materials.
One of my favorite features is the replacement of the tiled roof with a clear plastic sheet at the foot of the bed. Waking up with the forest in the morning is incredibly relaxing. I personally dislike concrete boxes with blackout curtains. Enjoying the light and sounds of nature is the ultimate expression of architectural integration with nature.
A B&B is a home away from home, just like staying with relatives or friends, and we should be grateful for the host's hospitality. But now, most B&Bs employ housekeepers, adopting a hotel-like work model. This is why I never have in-depth conversations with housekeepers. Yet, the housekeeper here has been there for ten years and knows everything about the place. He truly manages the place like a family. Only with this sense of ownership can the barriers between businesses and customers be broken down, allowing them to interact like family or friends. Of course, I can sense that the housekeepers, under the unfair pressure of the review system that penalizes diligent businesses, will show some anxiety and unease. I simply want to say, do good things and don't worry about the future. No one in this world is perfect, and certainly not in Xishuangbanna. There's no need to worry about the unchangeable environment. Perhaps the environment at Youran Terrace was perfect in its first few years, but the service process certainly wasn't as perfect as it is now, after 20 years of refinement.
I'm especially talking about breakfast and dinner. It's clear they're not profiting, and they're just covering costs to provide service. Dinner was especially good. Although it was an extra charge, it included chicken, fish, pork, beef, and mushrooms. There were no gimmicky technological flourishes, just high-quality ingredients you could tell by the taste. For two people, adding this small fee and having the kitchen work exclusively for us was a real hassle. I'll try to bring friends back next time to experience it.
Finally, a poem by Tao Yuanming comes to mind, and it seems particularly apt: "May you never forget Ju and live up to the Rouran."
"Drinking, No. 5"
I built my hut in the human world, yet there was no noise of carriages and horses.
How could you do this? My heart is far away, and the place is secluded.
Picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze upon the southern mountains.
The mountain air is beautiful day and night, and birds fly back and forth.
There is a true meaning in this, but I've forgotten the words to express it.
Translation:
Building a house where people come and go, yet away from the noise of worldly interactions.
Why is this possible? As long as your thoughts are far from the world, you will naturally feel that your place is secluded. Picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern hedge, I leisurely gaze upon the distant Nanshan Mountains.
Nanshan's scenery is truly stunning at dusk, with mist swirling among the peaks and birds flying back and forth in flocks.
This contains the true meaning of life, a meaning I've long struggled to grasp, yet I've forgotten how to articulate.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google
