Dali｜Borrow a Moment from History at an Ancient Residence Hotel

Ancient residences have stories to tell
They carry the weight of centuries and dreams of the past
Every brick and tile holds a footnote of history
Silent and unspoken, enduring through seasons, slowly engraving their own stories

Staying in a textured ancient residence hotel makes one want to linger
Wake up to birdsong, fall asleep under a starry sky
The energy of old houses is calming and reassuring
The architecture and design are as beautiful as works of art
Worth spending time to savor and feel
People often say, old houses nurture the soul
Metaphysics aside, 🥁 the tickets really have made a comeback 😂

Let me share some well-regarded ancient residence inns and hotels in Dali~
The following are just my personal opinions

【Shaxi】
1️⃣ Kegongdi Cultural Inn
Converted from the Ouyang family ancestral home over 140 years old, this elegant and grand four-sided courtyard with drip eaves on all sides features a corner tower. The design incorporates rich Tea Horse Road culture, balancing modern elements with the old residence, exuding the understated dignity of a scholarly family.

2️⃣ Chiliu Mountain House
When I stayed, part of the house was still under renovation, and the garden looked a bit wild, but the courtyard was another world. The house was filled with the scent of old wood. I heard it took many workers to dismantle and reinstall the centuries-old beams and pillars. The ancestors built these houses with bare hands that have withstood hundreds of years of wind and rain, while modern technology has made many places fragile like tofu. The interior style may appeal more to older generations~

【Xizhou】
3️⃣ Jiakedi Cultural Homestay
Xizhou is full of ancient residences, and among the top tier are Xilinyuan and Xingzhe Shangju, with Jiakedi standing out. Built 500 years ago, this Bai ethnic residence is quaint and charming, having produced imperial scholars during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The rustic wooden doors, weathered murals, tattered oil-paper umbrellas, and the occasional creak of the stairs are echoes of time.

【Dali Ancient Town】
4️⃣ Yupin · Villa Tapang Ancient Courtyard
A private garden mansion with only 200 years of history, also a key protected cultural relic in Dali. The courtyard is deep and layered, designed with Song dynasty aesthetics that balance density and openness, light and shade. It adds a touch of Jiangnan elegance to Bai architecture. Walking through the winding corridors feels like a ritual of slowly bidding farewell to the hustle and bustle of the city. From the loft’s small balcony, you can watch the clouds roll over Cangshan Mountain, and every detail in the guest rooms is carefully crafted~

In such a space, one begins to understand what "architectural meaning" is:
“The fusion of spirit, the touch of intellect”
Along with a refreshing aesthetic baptism and steady tranquility.

P2 - 5 Kegongdi
P6 - 10 Chiliu Mountain House
P11 - 14 Jiakedi
P15 - 18 Tapang Ancient Courtyard