Homestays in Hunan, China

This was the best hotel we stayed at during our trip to China! Li Bo welcomed us upon arrival and made our check-in experience truly exceptional. He showed us several room options, helped us choose the one we liked best, and even treated us to delicious coffee. Despite the language barrier, he went above and beyond by communicating with us through a translator. He shared recommendations for local attractions, helped us order food, and even drove us to several locations around Zhangjiajie. His kindness, hospitality, and willingness to help made this the most welcoming hotel experience I have ever had! If you are planning a trip to Zhangjiajie, I highly recommend staying at this hotel. Thank you, Li Bo, for making our visit so memorable!

Zhangjiajie East Gate Boutique B&B | 50 Meters from Scenic Area Entrance, Unparalleled Service, You Won't Want to Leave! For this trip to Zhangjiajie, we spent the first two nights enjoying a slow pace on the west side, then moved to the Guanzhi S B&B near the East Gate for the next two nights. This B&B positions itself as a boutique hotel, not just a regular guesthouse. From the moment you step in, you know it's something special – an artist's entrance, with an artistic atmosphere permeating every corner. The details are meticulously crafted. Many guests here are international tourists and discerning travelers who appreciate quality. It's no exaggeration to say this is the most thoughtful and attentive service I've ever experienced. 📍Location: 50 meters from the East Gate, 7-seater shuttle service provided The B&B is about 50 meters from the East Gate of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, making park access incredibly convenient. However, because it's so close to the scenic area, it's located in a restricted zone. ⚠️ You MUST use Didi (ride-hailing app) to get directly to the B&B's doorstep. Plus, the hotel offers a 7-seater shuttle service, so transportation is a breeze for families. It's also easy to find restaurants after leaving the park, as the area around the East Gate is full of eateries. 🛏️Bathtub King Room: Refined Down to the Details We stayed in a bathtub king room. The room isn't huge but is exquisite in every detail. The bedding is comfortable, and a relaxing soak in the tub at night washes away all the day's fatigue. If you need anything, just scan the QR code by the bed, and it'll be delivered in minutes – a godsend for busy parents! 👶Parents with Kids Rejoice! All These are Free! Forgot kids' toothbrushes, slippers, or shower gel? The B&B has it all; just ask the front desk, and they'll bring it to your room. There's also a 5 sqm kids' play area with a slide, building blocks, and a small rocking horse. Once the kids are in there, they won't want to leave. ☕️Good Morning · Good Afternoon · Good Evening, Service is Superb! This is where the true boutique hotel service shines through: 🌅Good Morning · Huanchi – Exquisite breakfast, with both Chinese and Western options. 🍰Good Afternoon · Afternoon Tea – Come back from exploring, enjoy tea and desserts, and instantly feel re-energized. 🌙Good Evening · Evening Porridge + Cocktails – Warm porridge for the stomach, a little nightcap, and finally some alone time for the adults after the kids are asleep. 📸Free Travel Photography + Ethnic Costume Experience! The most delightful surprise – free ethnic costume experience + travel photography! All original photos are provided, with professional touch-ups included! They even gave us a souvenir gift upon check-out. So thoughtful! ✅Countless Value-Added Services: Shuttle service | Free kids' amenities | Free travel photography | Afternoon tea | Evening porridge + cocktails | Souvenir gift… This is, without a doubt, the most attentive B&B I've ever stayed in. Ps: Remember to use Didi to get to the B&B's entrance~ 🚗 🏷️Tags: #ZhangjiajieTravel #ZhangjiajieB&B #GuanzhiSB&B #TravelingWithKidsInZhangjiajie #FamilyB&B #ZhangjiajieTravelPhotography #BoutiqueB&B #ArtisticB&B

🗻Come for the the amazing views & park proximity, stay for the fantastic service 🚙‼️ 🛏️ The room had a super interesting layout- there was a sauna, a bathtub, and a space for a tea ceremony all rolled into the same room. It was very clean and spacious. 🍴🫧 Free breakfast and they will do your laundry for free as well! Just leave it in the basket outside of your door and it’ll be there washed when you return from whatever mountain. 🚙 THE CAR SERVICE. The hotel offers free airport/train station pickup, they’ll message you through trip.com for your travel details and someone will be waiting at the station to pick you up. They will also arrange a car to take you to whichever destination you choose in the mountain- they’re 10 minutes driving from the East Gate (Bailong Elevator Route if you’re trying to get tickets) or 45 minutes from Tianmen Mountain. They arranged cars for us in the morning both days. ☀️The hotel itself is situated next to some very beautiful mountains. Their staff were very polite and efficient! Our train got in very late (10pm) and through WeChat, we were able to arrange having food prepared for our arrival through the hotel’s restaurant. Thank you again!

Excellent stay at Barenju! The manager really made our stay, helping us arrange and book Zhangjiajie and Tianmen mountain park tickets early and was really responsive online, even giving a discounted rate to the attractions. One morning it was absolutely pouring rain and he even helped us change our time slot to the afternoon so we would have a better experience! He was always friendly, smiley, and helped us with anything we needed. The hotel was a 15 minute straight walk to the East gate which was really convenient. Also, right opposite a long street with really good, authentic restaurants. They have free washing machines and soap you can use to do laundry after hiking! The laundry room on the roof actually has an incredible view of the mountains, its a shame they didn't have a little table or ”hang out” space up there! Thank you for the wonderful stay!

If I could, I'd give it six stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Our Zhangjiajie trip was actually a last-minute change — we only decided to reroute here three days before arriving, during the second half of our journey. And honestly, choosing this guesthouse turned out to be the best decision I made. Right after booking, I reached out to the owner about the itinerary, routes, tickets — basically everything — and she saved us from so many potential headaches. When we got there, she sat down with us and went through the routes in detail, even pointing out some lesser-known spots that were totally worth it. That really helped us slow down and properly soak in this stunning natural wonder of a city. The location itself is super convenient — just a few minutes' walk from the east gate of the scenic area. There's parking out front, and the surrounding area is packed with shops, restaurants, and mini-marts, so you never have to go far for anything. The room? Clean, comfortable, and quiet — great for a solid night's sleep. Loved the smart home setup and the heated towel rack was a nice touch. There's also a few washing machines and dryers available, which was a lifesaver. They even put extra drinking water at the staircase for you to grab each morning before heading out, and you can borrow trekking poles and umbrellas too. But what really stood out was the owner and her brother — warm, thoughtful, and clearly running this place with a lot of heart. Thanks to them, we genuinely enjoyed our time in Zhangjiajie. I'll definitely be recommending this place to friends and family, and if we ever come back with family members, this will be our first choice. Wishing them all the best — may their business continue to thrive!

I can’t recommend this place enough! Where do I even start? The location is unbeatable—so close to the main gate of the Avatar Mountains. Our room was incredibly comfortable and came with a great view, with every amenity we could possibly need. But the absolute cherry on top was the marvelous owner. She helped us customize an itinerary based on the exact amount of time we had. She was also incredibly thoughtful regarding my mom’s age (64yo), planning a route so she could fully enjoy the breathtaking views without having to walk too much (which was a lifesaver since the park is massive!). We followed it to the letter and we had the best experience! Don’t think It twice! You won’t regret booking this place! Thank you so much; without your help, we wouldn't have enjoyed the park nearly as much as we did. I would stay here again in a heartbeat! Gracias ☺️

we’ve spent a great two days at this hotel! the location is convenient, next to the Zhanjiajie National Park, less than 10 min ride by a car. The service of the staff was super excellent!! they were so nice and helped us with tickets and also picked us for free to the park and to the railway station. We also had a nice breakfast. They provided us with an additional heater which made a room very warm and comfortable. Thank you for your service! 😍🫶🏻 There are very cute cats and dogs at the hotel territory 😁

The hotel has a unique charm and a strong sense of history. The service is exceptional, and the room facilities are brand new. They pay attention to all the details, like providing disposable toilet seat covers and bathtub liners for a relaxing soak. They even offer slippers and toiletries for children. There's a complimentary late-night congee and afternoon tea every day, and the breakfast sets are incredibly varied and delicious!

The hotel fully lived up to our expectations! The view from the room was absolutely breathtaking. The smart room controls were very convenient and easy to use. The hotel grounds are lovely, with scenic walking paths and swings that create a very relaxing atmosphere. Breakfast was not extremely varied, but everything was delicious — be sure to try the shaomai! In the evenings, you can order local Chinese dishes prepared by the chef. The food is excellent, although many dishes are designed for sharing and the portions are quite large. There are also snacks available at the reception desk. The weather in the park can change quickly, but the hotel sells both raincoats and shoe covers for rainy days (surprisingly useful!). The hotel also provides a shuttle to the park entrance, which is only a short distance away. I would also like to give special thanks to the hotel staff for the airport transfers and for their invaluable assistance throughout our stay. They helped us plan our sightseeing itinerary, purchase tickets, and were incredibly responsive to any questions we had — whether about the room or even our travel plans during the day. Their support made our trip much easier and more enjoyable. Thank you so much ❤️ When planning the trip, I recommend allowing at least two full days for the park itself, plus another one or two days for Tianmen Mountain and the Glass Bridge. Keep in mind that these attractions are about an hour’s drive from the main park and the hotel. I would also highly recommend visiting the 72 Wonder Tower in Zhangjiajie City in the evening. The atmosphere there is incredible, with live performances, actors in costume, and beautiful light installations that make the whole place feel magical.

Strategic Location for a Relaxed, Crowd-Free Zhangjiajie Experience** We thoroughly enjoyed our recent stay at this hotel, which proved to be an ideal base for exploring the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. As travelers who speak a limited amount of Mandarin and prefer a measured pace, we found the experience both rewarding and stress-free. **Key Advantages & Location** The hotel’s primary strength is its proximity to the park’s less-frequented entrance. Being situated already ”inside” the park boundary with the ropeway just a 5 to 10-minute walk away is a significant functional advantage. Since the ropeway opens at 8:00 AM, we were able to enjoy a restful morning while still reaching the walking routes well ahead of the mid-day peak. By commencing our routes from the western side, we effectively moved ”against the crowd.” During our two-and-a-half-day visit, our average wait time for park shuttle buses, ropeways or elevators was approximately 5 minutes. Remarkably, both times we used the Bailong Elevator, we arrived at the gate ”first in line” and shared the cabin with fewer than six people. This efficiency allowed us to explore the park extensively—nearly ”looping” the park twice in a single day—without ever feeling rushed. I originally thought these logistical benefits were due to my decisions, however in hindsight, the location of the hotel was more likely the reason for this outcome. **Service and Hospitality** Our host, Kelly, was instrumental in the success of our trip. By communicating our plans early, she was able to facilitate the arrangement of park tickets, transfers, and provides some route suggestions based on her experience. Beyond logistics, we greatly appreciated her willingness to also share some cultural insights, such as the history and pop culture surrounding Wulong Zhai, which added a meaningful dimension to our visit. **Room and Facilities** We stayed in the main wing, located above the entrance and dining area. The room features met our specific needs perfectly. We noted that an elevator was in the process of being installed, which will be a welcome addition for future accessibility. **Points to Consider** * **Location Focus:** This hotel is perfect for those prioritizing the Forest Park itself. However, if your itinerary includes evening performances like ”Fox Fairy” or the other shows in Wulingyuan, you may find a more central town location more convenient. * **Environment:** We were never bothered by insects, but guests should be aware that this is a mountain location; the presence of local bugs around the exterior is natural and should be expected. * **Accessibility:** We had no mobility issues, but currently, access to the main wing requires stairs (until the elevator installation is complete). **Final Thoughts** For travelers who value a quiet, informed stay and wish to avoid the typical bottlenecks of the park’s more popular gates, this boutique hotel is an excellent choice. Having the time to engage with local suggestions and move at our own pace made our China trip feel truly personal.