I've been to Weishan five times, but this time I came specifically for this Jinshi Mansion.

Having visited Weishan five times already, this trip was specifically to experience the Weishan YiHe Yunxi Jinshi Mansion Cultural Boutique Hotel. As the first YiHe brand hotel outside of Nanjing, it opened in July of this year and is currently the only high-end boutique hotel in Weishan Ancient Town. 1. The hotel is located in a prime spot on the old street of Weishan Ancient Town, right between Gongchen Tower and Xinggong Tower. The hotel was renovated from the former residence of Zhao Guotai, who achieved the rank of Jinshi in the Guangxu Renchen Imperial Examination in the 18th year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign (1892). The renovation, led by Chen Yifeng, the chief architect of the China Academy of Architecture, took seven years to complete. It preserves the original architectural style and charm while incorporating modern elements. The murals on the walls, the mortise-and-tenon windows, and the roof beams all reflect the original appearance of this Jinshi mansion. 2. Along the central axis of the hotel are four courtyards representing "spring, summer, autumn, and winter." Each courtyard houses guest rooms and offers unique scenery. Strolling through the courtyards, every step reveals a new vista: green bamboo, stone pillars, flowing water, moss, and ancient trees, all contributing to the beauty of the ancient architecture. 3. The hotel has 16 guest rooms, with interior design by BHD, the company responsible for the detailed implementation and on-site coordination of all Aman hotels in China. All rooms offer courtyard views, and their names, taken from ancient texts like the *Classic of Poetry* and *Han Feizi*, are elegant and evocative. The room amenities rival those of luxury hotels, including capsule coffee machines, automatic curtains, underfloor heating, Kohler smart toilets, Hansgrohe high-end bathroom fixtures, dual air conditioning and fresh air circulation systems, touch control panels, and Chinese tea sets, creating a luxurious and comfortable stay. 4. A must-do during your stay is enjoying tea in the independent outdoor courtyard pavilion, Yuting. Outside the pavilion is a clear pool with swimming koi and blooming water lilies, offering a tranquil escape and a touch of elegance. 5. The YiHe brand is known for its high culinary standards, and the YiHe Yunxi Jinshi Mansion in Weishan is no exception. The hotel's only restaurant, Qiongyan Hall, serves exquisite and creative Yunnan and Huaiyang cuisine. Chef Liang, a local from Weishan born in the 1990s, skillfully uses local ingredients to create innovative dishes with a local flavor. 6. Despite its small size, the hotel is fully equipped with a well-appointed underground conference room, a yoga room, a Yi ethnic costume exhibition hall, and a now-operational spa. A swimming pool is planned for the second phase of development. The hotel also offers a range of local experiences, including in-depth visits to historical sites and the opportunity to try Weishan tie-dyeing. 7. Although the hotel has been open for less than six months, its service is truly commendable. Weishan is a must-see destination when traveling to Dali. The high-speed train, which opened last year, has shortened the travel time between Dali and Weishan to less than 30 minutes. For a thorough exploration of Weishan Ancient Town, the YiHe Yunxi Jinshi Mansion Cultural Boutique Hotel is the premier choice for a high-end stay.