Nestled in the core of Nuodeng Ancient Village, Dali, Yunnan, lies a high-end guesthouse that blends traditional charm with modern comfort —— Gujing Jianshan (Ancient Well & Viewing Mountains). Its five themed guest rooms, named "Ancient," "Well," "View," "Mountain," and "Viewing Mountains," each hide distinct landscapes and embody every facet of a slow-paced life. Here, you can lean against the courtyard’s光影 (dappled sunlight), soak up the sun, brew a pot of tea, listen to the wind rustling the leaves, and watch clouds drift leisurely... Or wander through the ancient alleys, savoring the tranquility and warmth of this millennium-old village.
Gujing Jianshan is more than just a stopover; it’s an invitation to slow down and embrace life as it should be. May this journey leave you with peaceful, fulfilling, and unforgettable memories.
"I had a truly immersive weekend in Nuodeng.
I stayed at a guesthouse in Gujingjianshan, a village in Nuodeng where goods are still transported by mules. The facilities there are comparable to guesthouses costing two or three thousand yuan in Dali Old Town, and the service was incredibly attentive. They even delivered a large bottle of contact lens solution in the middle of the night – something you might not even get in Dali!
I also met Xiaoxi and her family, who were also there for the weekend. We played cards with their baby, Zhouzhou, in the evening 🃏 and stargazed together on the terrace before bed.
The food in Nuodeng is much tastier, with better ingredients than in Dali. The meal consisted of stir-fried green peppers and ham, steamed sausage, and stir-fried chayote tips—so delicious it made my eyebrows fall off!
I got up early to take a walk around the village, then came back for breakfast. Breakfast was rice noodles—they're not as thin as these in Dali—served with large blueberries and small, soft kiwis; the highland fruits were truly delicious.
The guesthouse was piled high with new books. I spent the morning sunbathing, finishing Lyndon B. Linden's autobiography, *Searching for My Hometown in China*, which brought the characters to life.
I casually flipped through Tagore's *Stray Birds*:
”Let this be my conclusion: I believe in your love.”"