Chongzhou · A Little Kyoto Hidden in Jiezhi Ancient Town

Escape the hustle and bustle of Chengdu and step onto the bluestone path of Jiezhi Ancient Town. Yinmachuan Hotel is tucked away in a quiet corner on the edge of the town’s bustling area. Gray tiles and white walls, wooden corridors, and a courtyard that lets in daylight instantly separate you from the outside clamor—this is no hotel, but rather a gentle fold of old times. Twilight · A Tea by the Riverside As soon as you open the wooden window of the riverside room, the mist from the Weijiang River brings a coolness inside. Below the window, the clear water flows gently, with green mountains on the opposite bank like ink paintings, and a few egrets leisurely skimming the water’s surface. The butler brings warm local flower tea, with smoke curling up from the white porcelain cup. Sitting on the bamboo chair on the riverside terrace, watch the dusk slowly dye the mountains like light ink washes, while the river surface shimmers with golden ripples. The outline of Fengqi Mountain in the distance gradually fades into the mist, yet the lights of the ancient town light up one by one, reflecting in the river and gently swaying with the waves. At this moment, all is silent except the murmuring water, as if the world holds only this cup of tea, a river, and the evening glow. Night · Seeking the Fireworks in the Ancient Alley As the lights come on, a short three to five-minute stroll leads you into the lively river of the ancient town’s nightlife. The once plain Ginkgo Square now glows with colorful lights, and the Ziku Tower is outlined solemnly by warm yellow lighting. Walking along Jiangcheng Street by the river, the crispy aroma of Tangma cakes wafts from old shops, and freshly made tofu sheets steam on bamboo trays. Find a small riverside eatery, order a plate of stir-fried cured meat with mountain bamboo shoots, and enjoy the simple flavors of western Sichuan while the river breeze and faint sounds of Pingtan music accompany your meal. The taste on your tongue is rustic Sichuan, and the sounds around you are the flowing water and bustling town that have lasted for a thousand years. Morning Light · Bathing in the Fresh Breeze on Kangdao At dawn, birdsong pierces the morning mist. Open the courtyard gate, and the moist, crisp air greets you. Just a few steps away is the entrance to Kangdao, where you can stroll slowly along the wooden boardwalk by the Weijiang River. Morning light filters through the trees, casting dancing spots on the river surface. Towering ancient trees shade the day, ferns stretch between stone crevices, and dewdrops quietly fall from bamboo leaves. Occasionally, early risers pass by briskly, greeting you with a misty “Good morning,” the warmest greeting in the mountains. Looking back from an open area, the blue-tiled roofs of Yinmachuan peek through the greenery like an unfinished ink painting. Returning · Breakfast by the Weijiang River Back at the hotel, breakfast awaits quietly in the dining room. A bowl of warm pumpkin porridge, a few delicate tamagoyaki slices, and a plate of crisp pickles. Outside the window, the morning light fully awakens the Weijiang River, its surface shimmering with tiny silver lights. A few bamboo rafts quietly glide by, stirring the river’s glassy surface. Eating to this flowing landscape painting, the flavors feel especially fresh and sweet. Two days, one dream. What Yinmachuan gives me is not only a deep sleep to the sound of the river by my pillow but also a deep breath for the soul. It is like a warm pearl in the palm of the ancient town, hidden from the noise, yet guided by the mountains and water, quietly smoothing every crease brought by the city. When the car leaves the ancient town and you look back, the green mountains faintly appear, the water flows endlessly—true leisure is when the heart is soaked by the mountains and water, carrying a piece of coolness back, enough to withstand the bustling world. Tips to Note: > Private hot spring rooms are the soul: be sure to book in advance; the view from the window is truly a painting. > Dawn and dusk are the most precious: Kangdao is empty in the morning, and the riverside view at dusk is intoxicating—don’t oversleep and miss it. > The butler is a living guide: local hidden snacks and activities, just ask for surprises. > Travel light: pulling a suitcase on the ancient town’s stone paths is a bit tough; backpacks are better. The beauty of Yinmachuan lies in the shimmering waves of the Weijiang River, in the morning light at the eaves, and most of all in your involuntary sigh when you put down your luggage and open the wooden window. It reminds us that so-called retreat does not necessarily mean fleeing deep into the mountains; sometimes, just a riverside window is enough to let the heart anchor.