Chaoyi Minglin Mansion is a courtyard style inn of Chaozhou ancient residential buildings invested and operated by Chaoyi Minglin Mansion Tourism Management Co., Ltd. The original owner was Lin Xichun, the Minister of the Ming Dynasty. The mansion was built by Lin Xichun during his leisurely visit to the forest and has a history of over 400 years. The inn retains the traditional architectural layout of local ancient houses, providing customers with an immersive "museum" living experience. The Minglin Mansion faces west to east and is a three entry courtyard. On both sides of the main gate, there are standing stone drums and blue brick walls, granite, depicting traces of 400 years of wind and rain, exuding a strong historical charm. Chaozhou Gongfu Tea, Chaozhou Woodcarving, Chaozhou Ceramics, Chaozhou Cuisine and other craft and cultural imprints are scattered throughout every corner of the mansion. Through this model of Ming Dynasty mansion architecture, many aspects of Chaozhou culture can be read. The style of the guest rooms varies greatly, and the room names are all taken from Lin Xichun's poetry, reflecting the basic concept of "bringing poetry into life" in homestays. The rationalization of the interior of the mansion and the appropriate introduction of modern facilities have also made the living environment more elegant and comfortable.
"A family of four (two adults, two children) had a truly delightful and memorable trip here. We'll definitely be back!
Before making our booking, I made a point of looking through the negative reviews. One mentioned service not being up to par, another complained about distant parking – and honestly, that just put my mind at ease! 😂
We stayed for a total of five days. I absolutely despise the rushed, checklist-style 'hit-and-run' tours, so a leisurely pace was our top priority. We woke up naturally each day, and the host was incredibly thoughtful. Aside from some helpful WeChat messages and gentle reminders, we experienced absolutely no disturbances.
We didn't bother with detailed planning ourselves. Although we drove to the location, once we'd parked, we were quite content not to move the car again. We opted for the host's recommendation of a local driver-guide to take us around. This meant we avoided any unnecessary detours, didn't have to worry about the hassle of parking at attractions, and could even happily enjoy a couple of drinks!
In short: If you have an interest in history and appreciate the authentic charm and atmosphere of a traditional old residence, choosing this place will absolutely not disappoint."