A Loving Inn in Dali — Guanyuan

I recently “sneaked” off to Dali. While keeping up with work, I also switched into a mode of appreciating Dali and Erhai Lake.

I expected just to enjoy the scenery, but the inn I stayed at was so wonderful that it added many delightful elements to the trip. I left determined to stay here again next time!

A few words to record this goodness and to praise the lovely people who run this place.

Not an ad — just heartfelt impressions.

Beautiful Scenery

• The inn overflows with lush greenery — genuine garden art.
• From the rooftop you can see the Cangshan Mountains on one side and Erhai Lake on the other, with a sky full of stars overhead. I went up nearly every day, paired my phone to a Bluetooth speaker, and soaked in the views with music.

Delicious Food

• Breakfast is complimentary: authentic rice noodles and other noodles each morning, plus my favorite corn cakes.
• Lunch is a communal meal for 30 RMB per person. Everyone eats together, chats, laughs, and unwinds.
• Dinner can be shared as well, or you can order your own feast like barbecue at market prices. I skipped it to explore the old town’s food.

Hosts Who Love Life

If the owners didn’t genuinely love life, the inn couldn’t feel like this. That was my first impression, and chatting with them confirmed it.

Examples:

• The “uncle” (one of the hosts) tends every plant himself.
• From bedding to décor, everything is chosen to keep guests (and themselves) comfortable.
• Even the rice is carefully sourced. I’m not a foodie, yet I liked it so much that I ran to the kitchen to check the brand — later bought it on Taobao.
• …

Adorable Animals

Alongside the lovely hosts are many pets. In just a few days I somehow stopped being afraid of cats. My favorite remains the dog — especially their Border Collie, Jasmine.

Final Thoughts

• When I checked out, I told the owner the stay far exceeded expectations. Airbnb can’t convey these human touches, and the inn doesn’t advertise aggressively.
• I watched the hosts greet every guest warmly, sip tea, strum guitars, cuddle cats and dogs — an enviable, inspiring rhythm of life. This is what living looks like.
• Think of this as a small shout-out for a genuinely wonderful place.