chambre d’hôtes de Fujian, Chine

This place makes me wish there was an option for six stars. I study Asian art for a living, and I travelled to Jianyang to visit the home of Jian ware, classic tea bowls of the Song dynasty (960 to 1279 CE), distinguished by their black and brown glazes. Over the last few decades, firing Jian ware in the Song tradition has been revived in the area. I chose Nanping Colourful Village Homestay because it was in Jianyang, affordable, and accepted international guests. What I found was a luxury resort with all the warmth and personal attention of a homestay. I asked the front desk about an excavated Song kiln site in a nearby village, and the receptionist brought me the manager, who arranged for someone to take me the next day. My driver was Ms. Huang, an employee of the resort whose job involves buying and selling contemporary pieces. She knew everything about Jian ware! The kiln site isn’t run as a tourist site, so I was only able to view it because Ms. Huang arranged for it to be opened for me. I had told them I was vegetarian, so for lunch they took me to lunch at a vegetarian buffet. Then we visited the town’s Jian ware museum, where they have exhibits on the history of tea and Jian ware, historical pieces, and the work of contemporary Jianyang potters. To my delight, Mr. Gao, the potter-in-residence at the resort, uses a Song-style wood-fired dragon kiln, built right on the grounds! His pieces that range from beautiful but quite affordable to exquisite and appropriately expensive. They include both iridescent silvery oil spot and orange-to-black hare’s fur pieces. I am still thrilled that I was able to purchase wood-fired pieces on my limited budget. For dinner, the resort’s restaurant prepared vegetarian versions of Fujian cuisine for me. The food was all delicious, featuring classic Fujianese mountain ingredients like local bamboo and mushrooms. Then we visited Mr. Gao’s dragon kiln, and later his studio, where he experiments with different local clays and glaze recipes. The rich colours and iridescence of Jian ware are the result of the iron-rich local material fired at high temperature, and the results are as unpredictable as they are beautiful. The next day, they drove me to Mr. Chen’s family tea plantation in the mountains, where they grow famous northern Fujian teas. These fine teas were all wonderful, smooth and rich with a touch of smoke, and sometimes fruity in flavour. We strolled through mountainsides of tea bushes and visited groves of centuries-old tea trees. This is a perfect place for an immersive experience in China that is also very comfortable and convenient. I often find tourist experiences in China claustrophobic due to the press of people, but the resort was spacious and airy, and they took me to places where there was no one else but us and the occasional local going about their business. Everyone was very patient with my limited Chinese language skills. They were also happy to work with translator apps on our phones, so if you don’t speak any Chinese, you will be fine. This would be a great place to come as a family. There are gardens and rides for kids right next to the resort. You can learn how to whip Song-style tea and carve your name into the base of your own Jian ware cup. Not far away is a historical theme park with a collection of real architecture from the Ming (1368 to 1644 CE) and Qing (1636 to 1912 CE) dynasties. The employees wear period dress and there are performances and activities. Nearby there are hiking trails, historical sites, and lovely villages to visit. It’s also very close to Wuyi Mountain National Park, so it would be a perfect place to stay if the mountains are your destination. If you ask, they could arrange for you to visit famous sites or take you to breathtaking places that only locals know, whatever you want. They can also arrange transport to and from the train station or airport.

La première fois que je me suis rencontré sans fournir de l'eau de boisson! Les fleurs sont aussi brûlées, le bain de cheveux est épais, les amis dorment encore très longtemps, un peu allergique

I can’t say enough good things about my stay at this incredible homestay on Dongshan Island—it’s hands down one of the best accommodation experiences I’ve ever had, and I’m already counting down the days until I can come back. From the breathtaking sea views to the thoughtful, attentive service, every single detail made my trip unforgettable, and I’m so glad I chose this homestay for my island getaway. First and foremost, the seaview here is absolutely stunning, beyond anything I could have imagined. The homestay boasts an unbeatable location with unobstructed views of the endless blue sea, and I spent every spare moment just admiring the ocean, both morning and night. Waking up early to watch the soft golden sunrise glisten over the water, with gentle waves lapping against the shore, was the most peaceful way to start each day. As the sun set, the sky painted itself in warm hues of orange and pink, reflecting beautifully on the sea, creating a romantic and serene scene that took my breath away. Even at night, the quiet glow of the moon on the water and the soft sound of waves made the view just as magical. I took countless beautiful photos during my stay, and every snapshot perfectly captures the mesmerizing beauty of this place—no filter could ever do the real scenery justice. What surprised me most is that the homestay is even more beautiful in person than the online photos. When I booked the room online, the pictures looked lovely, but I didn’t expect the actual space to exceed my expectations by such a large margin. The interior is cozy, clean, and tastefully decorated, with large windows that frame the sea like a living painting. Every corner of the homestay is well-maintained, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The layout is designed to maximize the seaview, so no matter where you are—whether it’s the bedroom, the living area, or the small terrace—you can always feast your eyes on the gorgeous ocean scenery. It’s clear that the host put a lot of love and care into creating this wonderful space. The service here is incredibly thoughtful and attentive, which made my stay even more enjoyable. The host and all the staff are friendly, warm, and always ready to help with any needs or questions I had. They were quick to respond to messages, offered useful tips for exploring Dongshan Island, and went out of their way to make sure I had a comfortable and pleasant stay. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and their genuine hospitality made me feel valued and cared for throughout my trip. Unlike many other accommodations where service feels impersonal, this homestay’s service is heartfelt and dedicated, adding an extra layer of warmth to the entire experience. I’ve traveled to many coastal destinations, but this homestay on Dongshan Island stands out as a true gem. The combination of picture-perfect sea views, stunning in-person beauty, and top-notch, thoughtful service is simply unbeatable. I left with so many wonderful memories and a heart full of joy, and I will definitely come back again and stay here on my next visit to Dongshan Island. I highly recommend this homestay to anyone planning a trip to Dongshan Island, whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or with friends. If you want to enjoy amazing sea views, relax in a beautiful and comfortable space, and experience warm, professional service, this is the perfect place for you. Thank you to the entire team for such an amazing stay—you’ve made my island trip absolutely perfect, and I can’t wait to return!

乾淨的民宿，裝修很小清新，我們訂的是一樓的大床房，價格實惠，入住體驗好。晚餐是老闆親自下廚，量大新鮮，味道不錯。老闆的父親一直前後忙來忙去，給我們泡茶，提供許多有用的遊覽訊息。是一次很好的住宿經歷。

Je suis venu de nombreuses fois à Xiamen, mais je n'avais jamais séjourné dans la rue Zhongshan. Cette fois, j'ai choisi la rue Zhongshan et l'hôtel Weishang, et quelle surprise ! L'emplacement de l'hôtel est idéal, juste dans les arcades de la rue piétonne, ce qui est super pratique pour manger et se promener. Et le fait qu'il y ait un parking dans cet endroit où le mètre carré est si cher, c'est vraiment un plus pour ceux qui voyagent en voiture ! La responsable de la réception est chaleureuse, belle, attentionnée et généreuse ! En ouvrant la porte de la chambre, on est immédiatement enveloppé par une forte atmosphère d'Asie du Sud-Est. La décoration est élégante, les détails sont soignés et la domotique est également très bien faite. Le soir, s'asseoir sur le balcon et admirer la beauté enivrante des lumières nocturnes de la rue Zhongshan : observer la foule qui va et vient, les rues illuminées de néons, on ressent à la fois une immersion totale dans l'ambiance et une certaine distance, comme si l'on était à part... Merci au Weishang pour tous ces merveilleux souvenirs de voyage !

La décision la plus appropriée de cette visite à Pyongyang est de choisir cette famille! Il faut féliciter un établissement de cinq étoiles! Le chef offre un transfert gratuit à la gare de haut débit, qui nous a épargné les problèmes de chemin de fer. La chambre est vraiment incolore, et la plus surprenante pour moi est de fournir un sac à main unique, c'est un évangile pour les voyageurs qui se concentrent sur l'hygiène! Le patron est super enthousiaste, nous présente comment jouer à Pyongyang, le festival de la métropole, le patron nous a envoyé un sac à main et nous a invités à dîner ensemble. Cette famille a dépassé le logement lui-même, c'est une expérience pleine d'émotions. Il est fortement recommandé à tous les amis qui sont en plein air, ce qui est absolument plus précieux!

The Vibe : from the second we arrived, we were blown away by the archutecture and interior design. Its visual masterpiece. The Services : a huge thank you to front desk; housekeeping and restaurant teams. They were so patient and helpful with my elderly parent and my toddler. Even with a language barrier, their kindness translated perfectly. The location : ideally suitated in thr old town. It made exploring so easy with a young child and seniors. Value : for the price range, the quality of service and the beauty of the property are unbeatable.

Loved this hotel super close to the beach and incredibly dog friendly. One of the reviews talked about a long uphill walk from the parking to the hotel so we were really worried, but decided to book after all because we really liked the room and the closeness to a quiet beach for my dog. On the day of check in I was contacted by the hotel to confirm that I was checking in, traveling with a dog and needed parking. I was sent a location for the parking to navigate to, which was quite easy. When I struggled with finding a parking spot, the staff came out to help me find one and assist with bringing the suitcases to the hotel, which was a very short 5 minute walk we didn’t have to worry about at all. The staff then waited for us to settle in and showed us the way to the beach. We were impressed by his English and helpful attitude. The room was beautiful with amazing views and the access to the beach was amazing and easy to find.

Hôtel formidable avec une belle vue sur Gulangyu. Idéalement situé à deux pas de Bashi (environ 2 minutes à pied) et de la rue Zhongshan (environ 8-10 minutes à pied). J'y retournerai sans hésiter. Le service était excellent et une machine à laver et un sèche-linge sont mis gratuitement à la disposition des clients.

We stayed in Floral Luxury.1949 Guesthouse for 1 night. We booked Mufan room located on the ground floor as i am travelling with my elderly mom and carrying heavy luggage bags. The guesthouse butler will contact you the night before your arrival to add them to Wechat for easy communication. They will share their hotel location and offer pick-up service at the train station if required. Access to Yunshuiyao town is RMB90 perpax and free for those aged above 65 years old. Yunshuiyao is a scenic town area with 3 km long (2 - 3 hours walk). We hired a chinese speaking guide to accompany us to explain the history of Huaiyan building (square tulou), Hegui building (round tulou), and the town area. It cost RMB100. The guesthouse is located inside Yunshuiyao town, behind the shop houses, in-between waterwheel and 2 trees (named as husband and wife) aged above 670 years old. When we reached there at 2.30 pm, it was raining. The hotel staff immediately came out with an umbrella to pick us up and assist with the luggage. The check-in is fast, and the access to the room is by password, which they will share in Wechat. Checkout is also very easy. The hotel offered free fruits twice a day, afternoon and evening. The basic bathroom essentials are complete, and they also provide bathrobes. The bed and pillows are very comfortable for a good night sleep. Luckily the aircond can change to warm mode as it was very cold on raining day. There's a mini kids playground for children's. The staff were friendly and helpful. The breakfast set come with porridge and soya drink. Can topup if needed more. The in-house restaurant provides lunch & dinner with a la carte chinese foods menu. The sky brightens at 5 am, while the sun rises high at 6.45am. If you are able to wake up early, this is the best time for you to revisit the town and tulou surrounding area for nice photos and cool breeze as only local people around. There's a roadside stall selling super long youtiao (equal to size of 2 youtiao) located near the stone bridge not far from guesthouse. The whole Yunshuiyao town is covered with natural peebles pathway. Wear suitable shoes as it will be very slippery during the rainy day.