"Encountering Zhenlei·Golden Turtle for Wine Homestay | Touching the Warmth of Cultural Coexistence in Nature
This is a place where you want to sleep but don't want to, where you want to unwind but can't resist exploring.
Here, you can ”sit and watch” the ”clouds rise” of three hundred years ago, and become dust to enter the cosmic sky of billions of years ago.
Unfortunately, we encountered road construction, making the journey bumpy and difficult. But then, unexpectedly, the scenery became breathtaking. Director Wei from the village led us along the bluestone path into the village, arriving at the mountain homestay. Pushing open the small wooden door revealed a meticulously maintained lawn and various plant landscapes. Following the stone path further in, in the courtyard, there was a very old wooden table, full of stories.
Upon entering the house, the living room and dining room were very grandly furnished, with comfortable lighting and seating arrangements. From the lamps, tables, chairs, sofas, to the vases and paintings, every little corner showed the owner's careful selection. Every corner, every angle, and every light was perfect for taking beautiful photos. Beside the stairs is a large and exquisite stilted building installation, handmade by Director Wei, which can even rotate (for some reason, it reminded me of The Mystic Nine). History and culture are tangible!
The second floor has three rooms, simple yet cozy. The rustic atmosphere of the wooden house is comforting. The bedding seems to be plant-dyed, made of a very high-quality cotton-linen blend—soft and clean. How to describe the feeling? It's very much like Muji. The rooms are large, with excellent views from the windows; you can see the sea of clouds outside from the bed. There's also a refrigerator in the room, stocked with snacks and drinks, including my favorite Oreos, haha.
Besides the bedding, I was pleasantly surprised by many details: although the bathroom doesn't have a separate shower and toilet, it uses a covered trash can. I was amazed when I saw it—such a thoughtful detail! This way, water from washing your face and showering won't get into the trash can and make a mess. It's equipped with a smart toilet with a heated seat, and most importantly, it disinfects and sterilizes. Another very satisfying little detail is the provision of shampoo, shower gel, conditioner, and body lotion. These are all excellent, smell wonderful, and have a sophisticated, Muji-like quality (I really like some of their philosophies; they give a feeling of simplicity without being simplistic). Besides, the toiletries are of very good quality; they didn't skimp on disposable items, and there was even a single-use mouthwash! (There's one in the first-floor bathroom too.) I'm so satisfied with this level of thoughtfulness. The hairdryer is also great, with a strong airflow. My biggest worry when traveling is a bad experience showering or washing my hair outside, but this one leaves me feeling clean and refreshed, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the tranquil, secluded life here.
The second floor also has a washing machine, dryer, and an area with a projector TV. The weather wasn't hot, and it was even cooler at night, but we didn't watch TV because the Milky Way was clearly visible outside. The lighting in the courtyard was very warm, but the Milky Way was so beautiful that we turned it all off!! Mosquito coils were plentiful in every corner, so there was no need to worry about being bitten. The mosquito coil cages were also very well-made – they really knew how to live comfortably. In short, I was very reluctant to go to sleep, but it would be wonderful to sleep peacefully for a whole day and night here.
The next morning, Director Wei brought us breakfast from the best noodle shop in town – it was incredibly delicious. The morning breeze in the courtyard was cool, and the sun was gentle. Strolling through the village, the clear chirping of birds rose and fell, making us forget the distance we had traveled. It was truly amazing that from the outside, Zenlei appeared to be nestled in the mountains, but from within the village, we saw vast terraced fields and a sea of clouds. Walking on the bluestone paths of Zenlei Village, the wooden houses built against the mountainside on both sides, their black tiles stained a deep brown by time, the carved patterns on the pillars worn smooth by wind and rain, each crack holding a story.
This ancient village hidden in the mountains of Qiannan has no excessive commercial hustle and bustle, only the tranquility and profound history accumulated over time. Here, every bluestone slab tells a story, every stilted house safeguards tradition, and every smiling face conveys the most authentic warmth of life.
Finally, a special thank you to the owner and Director Wei for their thoughtfulness and attentiveness. They provided us with a detailed introduction to the village and offered many helpful tips on daily life. If possible, I'd love to come back to Jin Gui Huan Jiu many, many more times; I'm sure there will be countless more happy stories to be told here!"