Xiangdian Manor is located in the Hani village. If you are interested in Hani culture, this is the place for you. You can see the stars at night and the terraces during the day. It will always make you feel like you are back in nature.
Jobs said, “I would trade all my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.” I love life, and I’m willing to spend countless days and nights in this primitive Xiangdian Manor.
Xiangdian Manor, I’m waiting for you in April.
The best state of life is to be on the road, and the happiest thing is to see the scenery. I love everything different, everything I’ve never seen before. April is almost over. Before the May Day crowd arrives, it’s a great experience to spend a few days in a place away from the hustle and bustle, where the mountains are clear and the water is fresh, and the air is clean.
Meet Xiangdian
I have a deep connection with Yunnan. This is my fourth time in Yunnan in a year. What attracts me is not only the natural scenery here, but also the cultural history of ethnic minorities. This trip is no different. I came to feel the hometown of the Hani people – Yuanyang. From Xi’an, a two-hour flight to Kunming, and then a long seven-hour drive. The mountainous area is truly different every ten miles. It’s sunny for a while, then overcast. After a long journey, we finally met in the misty and rainy night.
The Twelve Manor – Xiangdian, as its name implies, is just one of the twelve manor houses, and it is also the first in Yunnan. Xiangdian is a Hani word for terraced fields, located in the village of Quanfu Zhuang in Yuanyang County, Honghe Prefecture, which belongs to the core area of the World Heritage Hani Terraces. It floats above the sea of clouds and the ladder to heaven. It’s more appropriate to describe it as an artistic manor.
【Dinner at the Cook Pot】
Pushing open the glass door of Xiangdian, the quiet fragrance, the friendly smiles of the Hani ladies, the warm wheat-colored tones of the big living room, various small decorations, and the carefully prepared dinner at the cook pot instantly dispelled the chill. I was still shivering from the cold on the way here, but now I felt warm and comfortable. Outside the window was a cold rainy night, but inside was the warmth of the Hani people. My first impression of Xiangdian was so amazing.
Interesting things about Xiangdian
Calvino said in “Invisible Cities” that “cities do not reveal their past, they only hide it like their palm prints. It is written in the corners of streets, the grilles of windows, the railings of stairs, the lightning rods and flagpoles.”
The Twelve Manor – Xiangdian is no exception. It was renovated and designed on the original architectural framework. As a local brand created by a young boss with ideas, although it does not have the history of old brand hotels, its hardware and software have incorporated local Hani cultural elements, and it can still tell a story of legends and stories.
From the fabric decorations in the big living room to the retro leather accessories, from the iron rooster objects to the ceramic jars, from the rattan chicken cage lights to the wall paintings, from the retro lights to the wooden tables and chairs, this place is more like a small PUB full of laughter and fun. It is more comfortable and casual, and less rigid and business-like.
The Hani people believe in chickens, and they kill chickens to pray for good fortune, peace and a good harvest. Therefore, you can see decorations of chickens in many corners of the hall and study.
The Hani people also believe in the white pheasant. Legend has it that the bird saved the Hani people and is the auspicious bird of the Hani people. Every festive day, the Hani people dance the fan dance to imitate the white pheasant dancing gracefully to show their gratitude to the white pheasant and praise the happy and beautiful life.
The entire side wall of the hall is painted, telling the Hani people’s gratitude to nature and their longing for a beautiful homeland, as well as the Hani spirit of daring to pursue and strive forward.
Taste Xiangdian
True quality lies in the details. The designer lived here for more than half a year, and he carefully designed the details to be unexpected. It can be described as ingenious. The fun and humane design will also make guests remember it deeply. This is exactly what Xiangdian has been pursuing.
At first glance, this iron art table lamp seems to be just for decoration. Unexpectedly, it is used to electrocute flies and mosquitoes. Against the backdrop of the red straw mat wall, it also has a unique charm and style.
Walking through the hall and going upstairs, a lamp is placed in the corner of every step of the stairs. Such a human-centered service design is rare.
The trough lights and spotlights on the top of the corridor reflect the light on the wheat-colored wall, making the entire corridor warm and not at all dim. The sunken inlaid floor mats and the small colored patterned floor tiles of different designs, the pottery jars with flowers and the door number lamp posts, these invisible services and details highlight Xiangdian’s pursuit of beauty and unique taste.
Xiangdian does not compromise on hardware either. German Siemens brand sockets ensure lasting quality.
Each room type is designed differently, but has its own unique charm. The room I stayed in, No. 132, is clean and bright. The open-plan design is also something I like. Every room has underfloor heating, and the walls and floors are moisture-proof. You don’t have to worry about discomfort caused by dampness when you check in.
After a day of traveling, a set of good-smelling bath products can definitely add points to the bathing experience. Xiangdian provides a full set of L’Occitane bath products, with a faint fragrance. Soak in a hot bath and sleep soundly. It would be great to take a bath while enjoying the scenery outside the window in the morning.
The exquisite tea set and four small tea blocks are exactly what I, a tea lover, want. In the afternoon, sitting here, brewing a warm pot of Pu’er tea, looking out through the floor-to-ceiling window at the sea of clouds and terraces, is a calming enjoyment. Xiangdian’s taste is endless and unutterable. It’s up to you to discover it.
Poetic Xiangdian
If it’s not about whether a hotel is luxurious and elegant, the most important thing for me is whether it has breathtaking scenery outside the window, and whether it can move me.
Xiangdian is so touching. It’s close to the embrace of nature. Every morning, when you open your eyes, the scenery is right in front of you, as if it’s within reach. The 12 Manor – Xiangdian Resort Hotel, with only 16 rooms, boasts the best panoramic views, ensuring that every room has a panoramic view of the terraces.
The entire Xiangdian Manor is divided into two buildings. The exterior walls are plastered with wheat-colored mud bricks mixed with earth from the ridge. The color does not appear abrupt and blends well with the local ecological environment. It is also closely connected with the time and place. The design of each room is slightly different, taking advantage of the overall space layout, but each has its own unique way of viewing the scenery.
I like the terrace on the top floor. It has a beautiful name, Listening to the Wind Terrace. The wind blows across my face, and my thoughts slowly drift away, all my worries are left behind, only the poetic rice fields remain.
There is a geometric patterned floor-to-ceiling window at the middle staircase on each floor. From this perspective, it looks like a painting of the rice fields.
You can also look out the window while bathing, with strong privacy.
It’s also incredibly poetic and romantic to fall asleep counting the stars in the star room.
The scenery is also by your side while you eat breakfast.
Food at Xiangdian
After getting used to the food in the city, it’s a very healthy way to come to the countryside and eat green, pesticide-free local dishes to cleanse your stomach. Whether it’s a bowl of Yunnan-style crossing-bridge rice noodles in the morning, or a Western meal, whether it’s a Hani-style long street banquet, or a barbecue party, the ingredients are all the most natural and healthy, which makes people feel happy. Every dish is a story that can be savored slowly.
A delicious bowl of red rice noodles in the morning can also be very enjoyable. Western food is also available here.
Barbecue party in the bamboo forest of the courtyard
Long street banquet, can be formed and booked for 20 people or more.
Fun at Xiangdian
Xiangdian is more of a folk experience center than a resort hotel. In addition to good food, drink and lodging, you can also have fun. The butler service will also tailor a series of seasonal activities for you, which is a good choice for family vacations, gatherings with friends and family, and corporate team building.
Colored mud battle
Catching fish in the terraces. The kids are so serious.
Hiking in the countryside can also bring a different kind of fun.
Experience the picking and tea-making process of ancient tea trees.
Remembrance of Xiangdian
The Twelve Manor – Xiangdian, a cultural experience center that advocates for ecotourism, combines local Hani rice field culture, creating people’s understanding and yearning for Chinese culture and a better life. In the most beautiful April in the world, I only want to work at sunrise and rest at sunset, accompanied by the scenery outside the window, and spend time with this beautiful manor, watching this vibrant Xiangdian Manor on the ladder to heaven come alive again.
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