"This trip was a complete and unexpected delight.
My husband and I casually chose Xinzhou Ancient City from the map, not expecting much, because I thought all ancient cities were the same: quaint shops, sparse crowds, and touristy, commercially-run potato towers…
However, this time, I truly fell in love with Xinzhou Ancient City. Our first stop was the guesthouse ”Peach Blossom Island. Jianghu.” The owner had sent us detailed directions and a list of times and locations for popular activities in the ancient city beforehand. Upon arrival, the owner and a friendly staff member were already waiting at the door, helping with parking and luggage. The interior was refreshingly decorated, giving off a feeling of ”entering Peach Blossom Island, filled with chivalry and loyalty!” Through the clean windows and tables, we could see the lush greenery of the inner corridor, a welcome respite from our cooped-up lives. A notice on the wall stated: if you are dissatisfied with the cleanliness or service, you can receive a pound of millet as a gift. 😁😁😁 I just want to say the owner is incredibly generous.
After collecting our room key, we walked along the quietly flowing, intricately carved stone steps to our room. The ”green trees, red fish, and swimming turtles” along the way filled us with the joy of nature. Even the room names revealed the owner's chivalrous spirit and fondness for martial arts—Kongtong Sect, Huashan Sect, Wudang Sect… Snacks and fruit were already laid out in the room. The room was very clean, and the TV was a projector. We happened to be watching the Asian Cup U23 match that evening, and the projection was very clear; we could comfortably and clearly watch the movie from the bed.
After settling in, my husband and I planned to explore the surrounding area. We were wondering where to go when the owner, seemingly noticing our hesitation, proactively came forward and introduced us to the brief history of the ancient city, the must-see spots, cultural and tourist attractions, and routes. With the owner's recommendations and warnings against pitfalls, my husband and I strolled around, enjoying delicious food along the way, and had a wonderful time. 😉 Xinzhou Ancient City is absolutely a perfect recommendation, but I won't elaborate further here.
Because the return trip was quite long, I got up at 5 a.m. Before leaving, the owner even insisted on giving me a bag of millet weighing one pound. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 (ps: Can I have a ton of this kind of owner?) After leaving, the owner messaged me saying he'd left his slippers at the store. I was thinking of just leaving them, but then I realized I really didn't want them, since I'd worn them for years and had an attachment to them. So I told him to help me send them back and I'd cover the shipping cost. Later, the owner sent the slippers back, but refused to charge for shipping. 🤗🤗🤗 All I want to say is ”Peach Blossom Island. Jianghu,” see you again in the Jianghu! 🥰🥰🥰"