Yangzhou State Guesthouse | A Class of Its Own Among State Guesthouses

Emperor Qianlong made six southern inspection tours, all passing through Yangzhou. I counted—I’ve actually visited four times myself. The charm of this city lies in its tranquility and slow pace🍃. Even if it’s not the season of "misty flowers in March," early summer here is still enchantingly beautiful. This time, my girlfriends and I stayed again at Yangzhou State Guesthouse. 🍵 A morning tea feast, a pool of shimmering light, a garden of lush greenery— This place always manages to exceed the standards of a state guesthouse, offering a version that’s soft and full of surprises. The first choice for rooms is naturally Building 8. Unlike the traditional styles of Buildings 1 and 3, it feels more like a modern structure that has grown organically within a Jiangnan garden. The central courtyard features a water pool embraced by winding corridors, where sunlight spills in, casting dancing shadows. The "girlfriends' suite" in Building 18 is also special. Hermès orange clashes artistically with cement gray, and the round green bathtub is so large it feels ready for a bubble party. There’s even a complimentary afternoon tea delivered to the room— sweets, tea fragrance, and the greenery outside the window blend together, capturing the essence of feminine delight perfectly. Building 19, Hongyuan, is the newest. Though a bit farther from the main area, you can still enjoy all the guesthouse’s facilities. The design is modern and minimalist, and there’s even a branch of Quyuan here— making it an incredibly high-value option. You could easily spend three days here without ever leaving the "gate," because the garden houses some of Yangzhou’s best restaurants. The only challenge is figuring out how to try them all in one trip. During peak season, you’ll need to queue up at 5 or 6 AM for📍Quyuan Teahouse. It’s not just about the two-diamond Black Pearl rating—it’s also about the scenery Emperor Qianlong adored. Five-ingredient buns, dried tofu shreds, crab roe buns, giant sesame balls, emerald shaomai… In the lakeside private dining room, you face the glimmering Slender West Lake directly, watching boats come and go as the Jiangnan dream of centuries past slowly awakens in the rising steam of tea. 📍Shan Restaurant, built by the water, has light and shadow dancing on its walls. The lion’s head meatball spins gently in clear broth, delicate and refined. The salted goose is perfectly seasoned, with tender skin and juicy meat. The hair-thin crab meat and Wensi tofu paired with crispy Huangqiao sesame cakes are simply divine. If Quyuan is a snapshot of Qianlong’s nostalgic dream, then📍Quyuan PLUS is the haute couture version of Jiangnan flavors in modern imagination. Passing through pavilions, bridges, and flowing water, you might think you’ve stepped into an ancient garden— until you push the door open and find a space where tradition meets contemporary revival. The bronze-toned lobby is strikingly designed, and just one bite of the red-roasted pigeon is enough to transport you. Quyuan PLUS blends Huaiyang and Cantonese cuisines and is a Michelin-selected restaurant this year. If you’re tired of Huaiyang cuisine, head to📍Ju Restaurant for a mix of flavors from across China. Sichuan, Cantonese, Zhejiang—all come together in a lively feast for the stomach. Even something as simple as "fried rice with egg" takes on different souls in different hotel restaurants. After a bottle of Yangzhou jasmine beer, I was utterly content. My favorite hidden gem: the hotel’s private dock, where you can take a boat tour of Slender West Lake via the waterway, following the same route Emperor Qianlong once took. "Flowers and willows line both banks, towers and terraces stretch all the way to the hills." … Gently rocking into a summer of boundless greenery and serenity🎐