Xinsu Changrong Tulou Cultural Homestay (Yunshui Ballad Shop)

The hotel is located within a Hakka earth building, which was a fantastic experience. Staying in an earth building for the first time was truly unique. At breakfast, we met a fellow guest who turned out to be a teacher from a broken porcelain museum. He gave our family of three three pieces of broken porcelain for us to write messages on, to be kept in his museum. He said we could visit it if we ever go to Xiamen. My husband's handwriting is quite beautiful, so he wrote some words, while I randomly drew a scene of a Huizhou water town. It was an unexpected, delightful surprise.

How can an ancient Tulou, spanning centuries and enduring countless changes, retain its original charm and character amidst the tide of commercial development? This guesthouse, I believe, serves as an exemplary model for the renovation and development of a century-old Tulou like Changrong Lou. The structure and appearance of the Tulou have been preserved to the greatest extent possible, restored to its former glory. At the same time, the modernized and smart-equipped rooms offer accommodations and hygiene conditions that are fully comparable to mid-to-high-end chain hotels. Staying here, sitting in the courtyard, you won't hear music, but rather the gentle caress of the breeze, the distant barks of dogs, and the croaking of frogs. The wooden house emits a faint scent of tung oil. Such a tranquil and leisurely rural life truly rivals the scene described by Tao Yuanming: 'No dust in the courtyard, ample leisure in the empty room.'

The room was clean and tidy, with a distinctive Hakka earthen building (Tulou) style. The bathroom area felt modern and well-equipped. Service was good. Due to the Tulou renovation, soundproofing was a bit lacking, and breakfast was relatively simple. It would be even better if the ventilation system could be improved.

The architecture is quite distinctive, and the room is very spacious, feeling like a suite when you include the bathroom. The sofa beds can be opened up to 1.5-meter beds, and with the existing large bed, it can easily accommodate 4 or even 5 people. The decor is all wood, with a faint natural wood aroma. The air conditioning is powerful, and the cleanliness is well-maintained, though it was a bit damp during our stay due to several days of continuous rain. The doors, windows, and toilet are all smart, which is convenient and easy to use. However, the lights in the room are controlled in groups of two or three rather than individually, which is a minor inconvenience. The owner has a great attitude and excellent service, fulfilling reasonable requests. Besides the comfortable stay, the biggest advantage is living inside a *tulou* (earthen building), allowing you to experience it morning, noon, and night. After seeing two or three other *tulous*, you feel no need to see more. However, precisely because it's an almost century-old *tulou*, you can't help but ponder the hundred years of history and stories that unfolded within its walls while staying there. 😂 For someone as sensitive as me, overthinking can make it hard to sleep, so I wouldn't consider staying for more than two days.

The owner was incredibly welcoming. As soon as we arrived, they gave us a great introduction to the local 'tulou' (earthen buildings) and suggested a sightseeing route. We were greeted with complimentary fruit, and when we left, they even gave us some local specialties as a farewell gift. They also offered free traditional ethnic clothing for us to try on, which was a nice touch. The tulou itself is 100 years old, but the interior facilities are surprisingly modern – even more so than the star-rated hotel we stayed at on this trip. The doors, curtains, and lights are all electric, and you can even control the lights with a smart assistant. The location is excellent, not far from Huaiyuan Tower and Yunshuiyao, so you can easily walk there if the weather isn't too hot.

The room was clean, and the wooden structure was very unique and charming.

The female owner was incredibly helpful and accommodating, always ready to assist with anything we needed. The room was very clean. She even went out of her way to buy fireworks for us when we wanted to set them off. When my child wanted to play with the rabbits, she brought over some feed. We accidentally left our photos at another restaurant, and she went back to retrieve them for us. The service was absolutely excellent! The only downside during summer was the frog croaking at night, which made it hard to sleep, but everything else was perfect. The Tulou (earthen building) itself retains its original architecture and is very well preserved.

The environment is great, and the guesthouse is clean. The owner is very welcoming and even helped us with our luggage. Anything we needed was taken care of immediately. I highly recommend this guesthouse!

The rooms are spacious and stylish. Breakfast is a bit too simple, but the small restaurant is nice, though a bit pricey. The young lady at the front desk was very enthusiastic and helpful, and the young man was good too!