A Healing Getaway to the Secret Hot Springs of Western Sichuan near Chengdu
I’ve always dreamed of living in the mountains, experiencing the leisurely life described by Tao Yuanming—"picking chrysanthemums under the eastern hedge."
Such a mountain retreat is hidden in the "Tongqu Jiaguanli" hot spring homestay in Jiaguan Town, Qionglai.
🌿 The Aesthetics of Western Sichuan Amidst Mountains and Water
The homestay is built with traditional Western Sichuan rammed-earth walls as its backbone, and its blue-tiled roofs resemble birds spreading their wings🏯.
Walk past the water feature beside the spiral staircase, where wooden tables and chairs meet aged brick walls, creating folds of time—every snapshot could grace a magazine cover📸. The 33 guest rooms are nestled into the terrain, with 18 private hot spring rooms, each unique!
Ground-floor courtyard rooms open directly to soaking pools, while second-floor terrace rooms offer sweeping views of tea fields.
The private hot spring rooms are highly recommended—the pools are spacious enough for two, and as you soak, you can watch the clouds drift by, occasionally catching a fleeting glimpse of snow-capped mountains.
🛋 A Dream Stay for Detail Lovers
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the mountain views like oil paintings, and the custom toiletries carry the delicate fragrance of white gardenia💧.
Before bed, a complimentary nightcap paired with handmade pastries delivers a cozy, heartwarming happiness.
🍜 A Feast for the Senses
Don’t miss the homestay’s breakfast specialty—Zheng’s steamed buns, with their thin wrappers and juicy, flavorful fillings!
A 5-minute walk takes you to Jiaguan Ancient Town, where on market days (3rd, 6th, and 9th of the lunar month), long lines form in front of Liu’s meat-filled glutinous rice balls—their sweet-savory taste is unforgettable.
For dinner, try Li’s Zhazha Beef, where tender braised beef is served with local pickles—so delicious you’ll want three bowls of rice.
🗺 Nearby Exploration Guide
• **Jiaguan Ancient Town**: Stroll along the bluestone paths by the Baimo River, where three ancient bridges span the water, evoking the poetic scene Lu You described as "misty rain embracing a thousand peaks." Hidden in the alleys are remnants of the Tea Horse Road, and the scent of jasmine tea wafting from old teahouses will make you pause.
• **Tiantai Mountain**: Just a 10-minute drive away, hike along streams and listen to roaring waterfalls. If you’re lucky, you might spot wild fireflies dancing on summer nights. The Taoist temple at the summit is said to be where Ge Xuan once meditated—the incense smoke seems to carry whispers of a thousand years.
• **Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea**: A 30-minute drive leads to this bamboo forest, where a 299-meter-high glass walkway lets you walk above the swaying green waves. Afterward, relax at the cliffside restaurant with a cup of Zhuyeqing tea, watching clouds gather and disperse over the valley.
In Jiaguan Ancient Town, time flows as slowly as the bubbling copper kettle in an old teahouse, simmering with the warmth of everyday life.
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