After the hype fades, Aranya remains a real-life utopia

During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, I brought my family to Aranya for a weekend getaway. This destination caters to all ages—artistic souls and elders can stroll along the coast, visiting the Chapel and the Loneliest Library in turn, while kids and moms can shop and explore the expansive community, with popular Beijing brands available here. • Step outside to the sea, turn around to art exhibitions and community life. Spending a couple of days here is the ideal way to unwind on vacation. Aranya is a gated community, and as a non-local visitor, there are three ways to enter with varying spending tiers: 1️⃣ Book a hotel/B&B within the area, like Anlan or Club Med, where you can wake up to ocean views. ✨ Typically, stays include free Chapel + Library tickets + shuttle service! 💡 Off-season hotel rates average 600+ RMB per person—a higher budget option. 2️⃣ Snag a library reservation. ⚠️ Book via the "Loneliest Library" public account one week in advance! Only 200 slots daily—quite competitive. 3️⃣ Buy an art ticket (great for photo ops). 🎫 Art Center ticket ≈ 200 RMB (includes beach access), cinema ticket ≈ 50 RMB for easy entry. • Beyond the famous library, the community’s amenities are thoughtfully designed. 10 free bus routes cover the entire area, with 24/7 shuttles—check real-time arrivals via the app, and they stop on demand. 🚲 Rent a family bike (9 RMB/hour) and cycle with kids or pets, straight out of a Japanese drama—pure "living vibes." · Sharing some simple photo tips 📸 1⃣️ Aranya Chapel 1 hour before sunrise: Capture silhouettes during blue hour. 2⃣️ Loneliest Library Sunset: Backlit shots of flipping book pages. 3⃣️ UCCA Dune Art Museum Noon: Sunbeams pierce through the skylights into the cave-like space. • 💡 Money-saving tips Accommodation: Off-season (March-May/Sept-Nov)—snowy Chapel views are stunning! Value skyrockets. Must-have: Download the "Aranya APP"! Checking buses/booking restaurants is 10x faster than guides. Outfit: Coastal winds are fierce! Pack a wool shawl + waterproof boots—hand warmers can be a lifesaver.