The hotel is located at WenXian Road outside the ancient city of Dali Old City, near the south gate of the ancient city. Vehicles can directly reach the store gate, and walking into the ancient city is very convenient;
The hotel is a traditional architecture of the Bai ethnic group, decorated in a pure ancient style, giving visitors a sense of time travel. The Waterside Pavilion in the store regularly provides guests with Chinese style performances, such as guqin, guzheng, pipa, and ethnic costume performances;
The hotel's guest rooms are fully equipped with amenities, central air conditioning, elevators, and parking lots. We look forward to serving you.
"This trip to Dali, I gave myself a reason to 'live amidst the scenery.'
So I chose the Zhongli Qianxun Courtyard Hotel (Dali Ancient City South Gate Branch) – and the result was even better than expected: it's not one of those B&Bs that 'looks good in photos but is just ordinary to stay in,' but rather a place where every detail, from day to night, from the courtyard to the rooms, makes you want to slow down.
🏯 Courtyard: The gentle charm of the ancient city at a glance
The hotel features a typical Chinese quadrangle courtyard structure, with grey tiles, wooden corridors, and carved windows. Walking along the verandas, you can't help but slow your pace.
During the day, the light falls on the wood, casting a warm glow; looking down from above, the courtyard is enclosed in a quiet embrace, almost like switching from 'travel rush mode' to 'living mode.'
Even more surprising – you can see the outline of the mountains in the distance.
As dusk falls, the sky gradually turns blue-grey, and the mountain ridges appear like silhouettes. In that moment, you suddenly understand: the beauty of Dali isn't about hustle and bustle, it's about tranquility.
🐟 Waterside Fish Pond: Koi + Lotus Leaves + Reflections, truly photo-worthy
The pond in the center of the courtyard is a huge bonus: lotus leaves float on the water, koi swim to and fro, and the water acts like a mirror, reflecting the eaves, lanterns, and verandas.
My favorite way to shoot is with a low camera angle near the water – the reflections are absolutely stunning, especially after the lights come on at night, it's as if another world appears in the water.
🏮 Nighttime Ambiance: When the lights come on, the courtyard 'glows'
At night, as the lanterns light up one by one, the entire atmosphere of the space completely transforms:
During the day, it's elegant; at night, it's gentle with a touch of luxury.
Sitting by the courtyard, listening to the sound of water, and watching the reflections, time seems to slow down immensely – that feeling of 'truly starting to relax on a trip' happens in this very moment.
🎁 Welcome Perks: Free afternoon tea + Free traditional costume experience (so much fun)
Two additional 'enjoy-upon-check-in' perks make me want to recommend this place even more:
🍵 Free Afternoon Tea for Two (by the pond/waterside)
Available once during your stay, from 13:30 to 18:00.
The afternoon tea includes Dali aged tea and Dali's distinctive preserved plums (which I found very local). Sipping tea by the water is perfect for slowly letting go of the day's fatigue.
👘 Free Traditional Costume Experience: Full range of ancient/ethnic attire
There’s a whole rack of clothes to choose from, enough to make your head spin.
If you love taking photos, this experience is truly fantastic – shooting amidst the wooden corridors, carved doors and windows, and the lantern-lit night creates an incredible atmosphere.
🛏 Room Experience: Warm wooden space, comfortable stay
The rooms are predominantly wood-toned, with warm lighting, making them very relaxing to be in.
The bedding is clean, and the space feels unconfined. The worst part of traveling is when 'the outside is beautiful, but the room is hard to sleep in,' but that's not the case here.
🚿 I'm also satisfied with the bathroom: it’s generally clean and comfortable, the ceramic basin sink has a great texture, and the shower area is spacious enough, ensuring a worry-free stay."