TTianjiliuAccommodations around Yunqiushan Scenic Area are mainly homestays, with the best quality ones concentrated in Kangjiaping Village, less than six kilometers from the park entrance. Many trendy restaurants are also clustered here. However, considering that the Wannian Ice Cave and Nuoerpo Ancient Village, which I planned to visit the next day, both require a shuttle bus from the park entrance, after some deliberation, I ultimately chose the Novotel Yunqiushan Hotel located inside the scenic area.
As our vehicle entered the hotel's private parking lot within the park gates, the surrounding environment immediately convinced everyone in my group that I had made the right choice. Even more delightful was the warm and thoughtful service at the front desk. Upon learning that we were travelers from afar, they directly upgraded us to a mountain-view suite for free. Opening the window revealed a lush green mountain vista, and this unexpected pleasant surprise instantly melted away the fatigue of our journey. When they heard we initially planned to find food in Kangjiaping Village, the staff immediately offered complimentary shuttle service. However, as dusk was setting in and everyone was genuinely tired from traveling, we decided to dine at the hotel restaurant instead, allowing us to rest earlier and properly refuel.
Perhaps it was extreme hunger, but every dish that day tasted exceptionally delicious. It wasn't until only half a tail of the steamed sea bass was left that I suddenly remembered I forgot to take photos of the food! Fortunately, I clearly remembered the names of several signature dishes. The four of us ordered four dishes: the hotel's specialty Braised Pork Belly, aromatic Alfalfa Stir-fry with Pork, fresh and tender Steamed Sea Bass, and a refreshing seasonal vegetable dish. I was surprised by how amazing the hotel restaurant's culinary skills were. The Alfalfa Stir-fry with Pork was perfectly savory and well-seasoned with plenty of ingredients. I had worried that the steamed sea bass in a northern hotel wouldn't be as good as those prepared by southern chefs, but after tasting it, I found the texture and flavor to be on par – fresh, not fishy, and wonderfully tender. And the Braised Pork Belly truly lived up to its 'signature dish' reputation, with a perfect balance of lean and fatty meat, soft, flavorful, and melting in your mouth without being greasy. The bill after dinner came out to just over a hundred per person, which was a truly pleasant surprise for such value for money. I genuinely recommend it to friends planning a trip to Yunqiushan!
After dinner, we took a leisurely stroll along the hotel's pathway. The evening breeze in the mountains carried the fragrant scent of grass and trees, which was incredibly pleasant. Back in the room, the spacious and comfortable area, elegantly styled furniture, and a soft, skin-friendly king-size bed, combined with the unique tranquility of the mountain night, allowed us to shed all fatigue and quickly fall into a sweet slumber.
Setting off for Nuoerpo Ancient Village and Wannian Ice Cave the next day, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the scenic area's shuttle bus stop was right outside the hotel, making travel extremely convenient without any extra rushing. Even more thoughtful, the hotel allowed us to check out after 2 PM, so after our visit, we could return to the room to rest and rejuvenate before calmly continuing our journey. This considerate service added even more charm to our Yunqiushan trip.
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