The lonely world recommended by Lonely Planet magazine

Exclusive to Mount John, New Zealand: Savor the romance of the milky blue lake and stargazing at the Lonely Planet Café About the Lonely Planet Café Located atop Mount John, New Zealand, the Lonely Planet Café, featured in Lonely Planet magazine, is a must-see destination. No one visiting Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, can escape the allure of Mount John—and the mountain's ultimate destination is undoubtedly the Lonely Planet Café atop. Tucked away at nearly 1,000 meters above sea level, it's not only a stunning café, hand-picked by Lonely Planet, but also a magical haven where you can immerse yourself in the romance of scenery and astronomy. To reach the café, you first have to drive. The drive up the mountain is a thrilling series of hairpin turns, so tight and tight that the wheels practically hug the roadside, making it easy for novice drivers to develop sweaty palms. Remember to leave early in the morning: there's less traffic in the morning, allowing you to slowly adjust to the curves. More importantly, you'll be able to snag a prime seat outside the cafe—next to the floor-to-ceiling windows, with a view of Lake Tekapo's milky blue waters and even the spire of Shepherd's Church visible in the distance. Sipping your latte feels like taking in the scenery. The cafe itself isn't large, but it's filled with thoughtful touches: astronomy-themed trinkets decorate the interior, even the coasters are printed with Milky Way motifs. After all, Mt. John is a premier astronomical observatory in the Southern Hemisphere, and at its base lies the International Dark Sky Park, where at night, the Milky Way fills the sky. Sitting in the cafe during the day, sunlight filtering through the glass onto the table, hot coffee in hand, gazing out at the lake view, you'll suddenly understand why this place earned a spot in Lonely Planet: the "solitude" here isn't desolate, but rather a tranquility embraced by the scenery. The best part is the connection between the cafe and the hike. Many people assume you need to finish climbing Mt John before coming for coffee, but it's actually more enjoyable the other way around: drive to the café, grab a cup of coffee and a muffin, then walk down the trail from the summit—the path is gentle, offering views of Lake Tekapo from various angles. It takes only half an hour to reach the base, eliminating the need for a strenuous "climb." I later learned that many tourists, like me, took a detour to find this place: some climbed the mountain before discovering the café, while others missed the turn and had to backtrack. But there's no need to rush. The beauty of this café is meant to be savored slowly—order a Flat White, watch the wind whip the clouds across the lake, and listen to the tourists at the next table chat about the Milky Way at night. You'll understand: coming to Mt John isn't just about a cup of coffee; it's about capturing the romance of the lake, the mountain breeze, and the stars—all captured in this moment. If you visit Mt John in the future, don't rush. Drive up the mountain first and sit in the Lonely Planet Café, and you will find that the best scenery is always when you "slow down".