Live Your Best Lives
Working is "survival", retirement is "life"
——Dazing at the foot of the snow-capped mountains and drinking tea in the ancient village are the ultimate healing for workers!
Although retirement is still decades away (crying), it doesn’t stop us from dreaming first!
Xiaoxia searched through our itinerary favorites and found this "retirement life preview" travel method: staying in a secluded resort hotel to cure "urban anxiety."
Save the travel list in this article first, in case you become financially independent one day?
Daydreaming begins! Use your imagination to imagine the following scenarios:
"Eating in the clouds in the Nujiang Gorge, trying to locate your friend? Sorry, no signal."
Morning: Canyon Morning Light
At 8 a.m., I opened the wooden windows to the still-clear morning mist of Gaoligong Mountain. All guest rooms face the Nujiang Grand Canyon. Lying in bed, I gazed upon the sea of clouds, waking to the distant mountains and the morning mist. The vast natural cave of Stone Moon Peak loomed through the mist. On the hotel's wooden terrace, a Lisu waiter set out breakfast: steaming freshly ground buckwheat porridge, paired with local wild honey and butter tea.
Afternoon: Explore the Ancient Trail
At 2:00 PM, we journeyed deeper into the Nu River to explore Bingzhongluo, a place where humans and gods coexist. Following a Nu guide, we journeyed along the "Living Ancient Tea-Horse Road." The sound of the caravan's bells drifted closer, and the leading horsemen greeted us in their ethnic minority language. At the end of the hike, we arrived at Wuli Village, a Nu village. We stayed as a guest with a local Nu family, learned from an intangible cultural heritage inheritor how to weave a rainbow carpet, and experienced the diverse customs of Yunnan's ethnic minorities.
Evening: Fireside Story
As night fell, the hotel's fire pit crackled. Locals arrived, carrying their qin (qibenqin), and their impromptu singing of ancient tunes mingled with the commercial codes and folk stories sung by the caravans of yesteryear. As the night shone through the canyon clouds, I fell asleep peacefully.
"Sleep until you wake up naturally every day, and open the window to see a landscape painting. Merit +1."
Morning: Mingshi River Morning Song
. At 8 a.m., the mist on the Mingshi River has not yet dissipated, but bamboo rafts are already drifting quietly on the dark green waters. The rhythmic strokes of the Zhuang boatmen's oars startle a few egrets. On the riverside platform or in the bamboo courtyard, follow the instructor for Tai Chi or yoga, breathing in the mountain air rich with negative oxygen ions. The movements harmonize with the rhythm of the mountains and rivers, awakening the body and mind in the most tranquil way.
Afternoon: Karst Secret Land:
At 2:00 PM, cycle to the hotel's private waterfall. Mountain bikes are available, allowing you to ride along rice paddy paths, weaving through Zhuang villages and sugarcane fields. Passing by the Mingshi Rural Observation Deck, you can capture the stunning morning light bathing the peaks. Your guide will explain local farming culture, and you'll cycle to the hotel's private waterfall. Cycling along the leaf-strewn path might even startle a group of macaques grazing on wild fruit. For a relaxing getaway, try rafting on the Black Water River. The hotel's bamboo raft afternoon tea is incredibly chill!
Evening: Sunset Starlight Dinner
. At sunset, a long table by the pool was set for a "Starlight Dinner." Freshly caught river fish simmered in a sour fish soup pot, accompanied by freshly picked asparagus from the afternoon. After three rounds of drinks, a Zhuang singer played the lyre and sang the epic creation poem in the ancient Zhuang language. Looking up, the Milky Way stretched across the karst peaks of China and Vietnam. After dinner, an open-air film screened, interwoven with the natural landscape. Classic film monologues seemed imprinted on the peaks, becoming a poetic expression.
"Lay back and relax on an all-inclusive resort hotel, and enjoy a national park safari to see as many animals as you can."
Morning: Jungle Safari
Daily life at the hotel began in the morning mist. The sky was still gray as the jeep set off, tumbling through the dew. The roar of the engine startled a few early birds, which fluttered over the treetops, partially obscuring the silhouettes of wildebeests. They lowered their heads to nibble on the dewy grass, their horns adorned with glistening water droplets. A rustling sound came from the distance: a few peacocks paced, their tail feathers casting arcs of faint blue light. As the sun peeked out, golden rays pierced the mist. The guide suddenly whistled. In the bushes, a pair of Ceylon leopards' ears twitched slightly. The mother licked her cub's fur lazily, oblivious to our presence. The cub, however, looked up curiously, its amber eyes reflecting the rising sun...
Afternoon: Swimming pool and afternoon tea
Stroll along the hotel's private, pristine coastline and experience the grandeur and tranquility of the Indian Ocean. By the pool or on the terrace, you'll often spot peacocks, macaques, sambar deer, and other animals roaming freely. Occasionally, you'll even spot elephants roaming in the distance, or hear the chirping of birds and the roar of animals from the deep jungle. For more relaxation, book a session at the hotel's Jungle Spa and enjoy an Ayurvedic or essential oil massage surrounded by nature. The hotel also offers an exquisite Sri Lankan-style afternoon tea, featuring black tea, tropical fruits, and local pastries, a truly relaxing experience.
Evening: Beach and dinner
After sunset, the beach lights come on, the chef serves exquisite dishes, and the bartender mixes cocktails based on local coconut wine. Savor the delicacies and look up when you are slightly tipsy. The stars are hanging above the palm tree crowns, and the waves of the Indian Ocean are playing for everyone. It is a romantic and wild night!
"Sleep on the grassland, drink from the Yellow River, and immerse yourself in the nomadic experience."
Morning: Dawn on the Gangga Grassland
. At 8 a.m., the first rays of sunlight awaken the grasslands. The distant White Stone Cliffs, shrouded in mist and sky, create a sense of mystery. Our housekeeper brings us hot butter tea. Outside our tent, the White Stone Cliffs loom in the morning mist, and a few marmots peek out from the grasslands.
Afternoon: Canyon Hike and Nomadic Life
At 2:00 PM, we'll hike to the Baishiya Grand Canyon, known as the "Dolomites of the East." Along the winding mountain path, herds of Ganga sheep nimbly leap between the steep cliffs. The boundless grasslands are abruptly divided by sheer cliffs, and mountain vultures circle overhead. Join a nomadic herder for a sustainable journey, weaving your own small felt brooch. Listen to the local guide explain the nomads' tools and how they're used. You'll also be able to join the nomads in herding, playing ear cha, and making cow dung fuel, experiencing and understanding the mysterious yet simple nomadic culture of the Tibetan grasslands.
Evening: Starry Night
After sunset, the housekeeper turns on the heaters in each tent. Through the transparent dome above the tent, you can see the Milky Way stretching across the white stone cliffs. In the distance, the sound of a herdsman's whistle calling his sheepdog can be heard, gradually blending into the grassland night. The stars in the night sky will not disappoint you.
“Live between the mountains and the sea, soak in hot springs, eat seafood, and hike the World Heritage Trail.”
Morning: Pacific Sunrise and Seafood Market:
At 8 a.m., let the sound of the Pacific waves wash over you as you open the window to greet the sunrise over the Pacific. Head to Shirahama Coast, explore the hidden gem of a seaside town, browse the harborside seafood market, and savor freshly caught seafood.
Afternoon: Kumano Cultural Journey.
At 2:00 PM, join a local hiking guide on a scenic hike through the highlights of the Kumano Kodo. From Hoshinmon Oji, hike to Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, immersing you in the natural beauty and spiritual energy of the Kumano Dojo. Hear stories about the people of the Kumano Kodo, complete one of only two World Heritage sites, and receive the official Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Seal.
Evening: Ocean View Hot Springs and Kaiseki Dinner
. At sunset, don the hotel's indigo yukata robes and walk along the cobblestone path in geta sandals to the open-air baths. Soak in the ocean view and wait for the sunset—a truly tranquil experience nestled between the mountains and the sea! Shirahama Onsen is one of Japan's most renowned hot spring resorts, boasting over 1,300 years of history. After enjoying the hot springs, the hotel restaurant's kaiseki dinner is ready.
Do you like this way of traveling to retire early? If you have a dream-making travel plan you'd like to share, please leave a comment in the comments section.
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