Seeking Country Life in a Bustling City: Climbing Wooden Walkways, Staying in Eucalyptus Tree Houses
Location: Nanshan, Sanya, Hainan
"No air conditioning, no television, no phone, no broadband, but a simple and comfortable bed where you can hear the sound of the sea ten meters away."
On a seven-kilometer-long sandbar facing the sea and backed by mountains in Sanya, there is a dense forest of native tamarind trees and eucalyptus. Scattered among these are a few wooden houses, resembling bird's nests, built on century-old tamarind trees within the eucalyptus grove. To enter these rustic tree houses, one must first cross a swaying wooden walkway and then climb a suspended ladder made of ropes and planks to reach the entrance hall. From here, one can look out and see the sacred three-faced statue of Guanyin to the left, and to the right, an endless stretch of sea dotted with tropical vegetation. The sky and sea radiate a dazzling blue.
These tree houses, constructed by an American Hawaiian tree house company in Sanya, are not regular in shape. Their sizes and heights vary, built according to the natural environment, ranging from single-story rooms to three-story villas. Despite their primitive and simple exteriors, these tree houses offer comfortable living conditions. The large terraces provide a cool breeze, the guest rooms feature mosquito-proof functions, and they come equipped with bathrooms, showers, and outdoor bars. Swings hang beneath the trees, making it stylish to read a book while sitting on them. A unique feature is that these tree houses are built on trees located on the sandy shore, so soft fine sand surrounds the base of each tree house.
With only ten meters separating the tree houses from the sea, lying on the terrace at night allows one to listen to the waves and feel the sea breeze, perhaps with a beer in hand, sparking inspiration. A special experience of staying in these tree houses is watching flocks of birds fly past at dusk. The forest is abundant with dragonflies that tirelessly circle leaves or branches. At night, the distant sounds of waves, unknown insects chirping, and the rustling of wind through dense forests create a harmonious symphony, much like a lullaby.
As the first rays of sunlight pierce through the dense forest and fall onto the terrace in the morning, the birds have already awakened, filling the forest with lively activity. Stepping outside feels as though one is a neighbor to the birds residing in the trees.
Sleeping on Old Ships, Enjoying the Beauty of Cangshan and Erhai
Location: Yujisi Island, Erhai Lake, Yunnan
"Courtyards, docks, sun decks, and glass corridors dedicated to yoga practice. Escaping the city to this place requires preparation for a vegetarian diet, suitable for autumn and winter travel. Only barefoot walking is allowed, and only vegetarian food is consumed."
White ethnic painter Zhao Qing designed a large house facing Erhai Lake on Yujisi Island. Initially, he lived there with his wife Xiaopai and son Fuer, naming it "Qinglu."
Qinglu is built on the reef stones of Yujisi Island on the east shore of Erhai Lake. Most construction materials are a common type of gray brick found in Dali, combined with large amounts of metal and glass. This massive waterside building does not appear too conspicuous; it is difficult to determine whether it is a two-story or three-story building. Upon closer inspection, the delicate stone carvings in inconspicuous places reveal genuine Bai ethnic style. Features such as courtyards, sun decks, docks, a glass corridor for sightseeing and yoga practice, and a large arched bridge symbolizing the entrance, express Eastern classical subtlety and restraint, even hinting at Zen-like ambiance.
Interestingly, most of the wood and furniture used in Qinglu come from sunken ships in Erhai Lake. These woods, weathered by years of wind, rain, and sun before sinking into the depths of Erhai Lake and mingling with silt, possess rough textures and naturally refined colors. People passing by Yujisi Island recognize this house and remember the glass corridor behind it, used for viewing the sea, admiring the moon, and practicing yoga. This more than ten-meter-long corridor is entirely steel-framed, with glass walls, floors, and ceilings, extending high above the cliffs.
From the perspective of Erhai Lake, Qinglu appears as if it grew out of the ground. Besides blending with the natural environment, Qinglu also incorporates natural landscapes indoors. Pavilions filled with plants are built following the trend of the reefs. Water flows between the rocks, forming a natural fish pond. Large boulders rise in the living room, becoming walls, decorations, or scenery. Aside from Buddha statues and plants, Qinglu has minimal decoration. Natural light changes angles indoors every moment. Regardless of the time, one can admire the beauty of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain from Qinglu. Qinglu has only five guest rooms, accommodating travelers. It is said that there are many requirements for guests, such as no smoking or drinking alcohol inside Qinglu. One can only walk barefoot and eat vegetarian food, but can enjoy private wellness banquets and Chinese medical health consultations provided by Qinglu.
Tasting Sweet Lychees, Enjoying Lake Views
Location: Dongguan, Guangdong
"Both beautiful scenery and delicious food, fresh unpolluted air, and the best service on a five-star bed. You can also play tennis, go fishing, fly kites, and jog around the lake."
Surprisingly, there are resort-worthy spots in Dongguan. The Hyatt Regency Hotel, built beside Songshan Lake and nestled against mountains and facing the lake, offers the best views of Songshan Lake's stunning scenery, encompassing an entire lychee orchard. Extensive use of glass facades seamlessly integrates this building with nature, bringing outdoor beauty indoors, allowing each room to enjoy unobstructed lake views.
The hotel's Tea House, Songshan Teahouse, is an excellent spot for viewing the scenery. In addition to Chinese tea, Songshan Teahouse features an open kitchen offering home-style Cantonese cuisine. Another highlight is the availability of traditional Chinese medicine health consultations, where licensed TCM practitioners provide health advice based on guests' physical conditions, offering appropriate suggestions from a TCM perspective. This additional service with an Eastern mystique is very popular.
Each lakeside room features a bathtub on the balcony, allowing guests to soak in hot water while enjoying the magnificent view of Songshan Lake through floor-to-ceiling windows. Alternatively, guests can borrow a bicycle from the hotel and spend half a day cycling around Songshan Lake to enjoy the scenery before returning to the hotel. If a 20-kilometer bike ride around the lake seems too exhausting, taking a leisurely walk through the hotel’s lychee orchard is another great option. Every year from mid-June to mid-July, visitors can participate in the lychee picking festival and taste fresh fruit. The hotel's outdoor pool and water slides receive positive reviews.
Seclusion in a Vineyard, Art Exhibition Appreciation
Location: Lantian, Shaanxi
"Pushing open the window reveals sunshine, blue skies, and white clouds – the best decor here. Living in a wine cellar, appreciating natural beauty, tasting red wine, and viewing art exhibitions define the vibe of this village."
Architect Ma Qingyun grows grapes and makes red wine in his hometown of Lantian Yushan, constructing experimental residential structures. The small town of Yushan lies near the vast White Deer Plain in Shaanxi, not far from Wang Wei's secluded villa of over a thousand years ago, Wanchuan Biye.
From Xi'an to Lantian Yushan, one passes through a white stone beach traversed by a river. The shallow river, called Qingyu River, is filled with enormous white stones. After a rain, the stones soaked or wetted by water display varying shades of color. For generations, Yushan residents have used this special material as the foundation for their homes. Ma Qingyun has used these stones to construct several houses among nearby mountains and carved narrow mountain roads through vineyards. Below the mountains is his winery, and above, his private property and vineyards.
The winery was converted from an old flour mill factory. Brick and timber structures were transformed into wine production workshops, cellars, and art exhibition spaces. Among these, a glass building designated for traveler accommodations stands out prominently. This is the area of the Yushan Winery used to accommodate guests, often attracting those passionate about art, architecture, or winemaking to experience life inside a winery.
The two-story rest area features antique furniture and long tables made from old wood. Contemporary artworks and wildflowers picked from the mountains decorate this simple space. When sunlight streams in through the windows, the slowly drifting white clouds become the best decoration. The buildings and environment of Yushan blend cleverly. A closer look reveals how Ma Qingyun fully utilizes the beauty of nature. His work aims to minimize artificial traces.
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