Yangzhou State Guesthouse nestles serenely alongside the Slender West Lake, facing scenic spots such as the Long Dike in Spring Willows(also known as Changdichunliu), Xuyuan Garden, and Little Gold Hill across the water, embracing the delicate charm of the lake's shimmering beauty. Encompassing 400 acres of landscaped gardens, the property features fifteen distinct buildings thoughtfully arranged throughout the grounds. Among them are Buildings 1, 2, and 9, which exemplify the artistry of classical garden design, while Buildings 8 and 18 showcase contemporary aesthetics, together creating a modern garden sanctuary that honors tradition while embracing the future.
More than just a place to stay, Yangzhou State Guesthouse is a pilgrimage destination for Huaiyang cuisine. It is home to the "Two-Diamond" Black Pearl-rated restaurant Quyuan Teahouse and the "One-Diamond" restaurant Shan, offering guests unparalleled culinary experiences. The property also boasts a range of premium facilities, including a 50-meter standard hot spring swimming pool, the elegant Lanpu Teahouse, a scenic gym, and a Chinese traditional-style travel photography studio, catering to guests' comprehensive leisure needs.
"Discover a city by staying within a garden." We go beyond providing mere accommodation, striving to create an immersive living experience that integrates Yangzhou's regional spirit and carries forward its millennia-old cultural heritage. Every moment spent here is destined to become a cherished urban memory.
"Yangzhou Yingbinguan (Yangzhou Xiyuan Hotel) truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier garden hotel in Yangzhou. Spanning over 400 acres, it's a complete Jiangnan-style garden in itself. The environment, location, and exclusive experiences are all top-notch. Even without entering the Slender West Lake scenic area, staying here allows you to enjoy a private part of the lake's scenery. It offers both great value for money and a relaxing atmosphere.
**I. Irreplaceable Location Advantage**
The hotel is separated from Slender West Lake by a body of water and features an exclusive express通道 for guests. You don't have to queue at the main scenic area entrance; you can walk directly to the core area by the lake.
Building No. 1, Shoufanyuan, where we stayed, is the closest building to Slender West Lake in the entire hotel. From the room window, you can see a small patch of lake view with weeping willows, enjoying the scenery of Slender West Lake without even leaving your room.
Additionally, Building No. 1 is only a 2-minute walk from the Black Pearl-rated Qüyuan Teahouse, making it incredibly convenient to enjoy authentic Yangzhou morning tea without a long trek through the park.
**II. Exclusive Features and Immersive Ambiance**
1. **Commemorative Souvenirs:** You can get exclusive hotel postcards at the front desk, and there are several spots within the garden where you can stamp them as a souvenir. You can also get a custom room key card, which makes for a meaningful travel keepsake.
2. **Explore the Expansive Gardens:** The entire guesthouse is filled with pavilions, waterside terraces, rockeries, and long corridors, with lush greenery everywhere. Every step offers a new view, and you won't get tired even after strolling for half a day. The internal scenery is as exquisite as that of paid gardens. If you get tired of walking in the vast park, you can call for a free shuttle at any time.
3. **Weekend Intangible Cultural Heritage Performances:** On weekends, there are intangible cultural heritage mini-theaters, where you can watch Yangzhou's intangible cultural heritage puppet shows and folk music performances without having to leave the hotel.
**III. Living Experience in Building No. 1 (Pros and Cons of the 'Old Cadre Style' Building)**
**Pros:**
1. **Rich Historical Heritage:** In its early years, it was exclusively used for official government receptions, showcasing a classic 'old cadre' Chinese style. The solid wood furniture and sophisticated aesthetic are timeless and enduring, looking far from cheap.
2. **Waterside Location:** Surrounded by lush vegetation, the building offers maximum privacy and tranquility, with almost no noise from crowds.
3. **Well-Maintained Rooms:** Although it's an older building, the overall condition isn't outdated. The space is generous, and the bedding and soft furnishings are meticulously maintained.
**Sole Drawback:**
The bathroom hardware has a noticeable drawback: the shower pressure is low, and the water flow is weak, making for a mediocre experience when washing hair or showering.
**IV. Overall Summary**
There's a good reason why Yingbinguan consistently receives rave reviews: it boasts private views of Slender West Lake, its own Black Pearl-rated morning tea, vast garden grounds, unique commemorative souvenirs, and a full range of leisure activities.
If you prefer a tranquil, retro atmosphere and want to experience the quality of a traditional state guesthouse, Building No. 1 is an excellent choice. The only thing you'll need to adapt to is the low shower pressure. If you're looking for brand-new modern facilities, consider buildings No. 8 or No. 18.
For our trip, having already visited Slender West Lake, staying here meant we didn't need to re-enter the scenic area. We could enjoy a comparable lake and garden experience right within the hotel, perfectly meeting our need for a relaxed vacation."