Old Courtyard Hides Creek Moon, Leisure Time in Mountain Residence

Just an hour’s drive from downtown Hangzhou, you enter the secret realm of Moon Bridge Village at the foot of Tianmu Mountain. The nationally rated A-level guesthouse Moon Workshop is hidden here—transformed from an abandoned 1970s old bus station, the smoky traces on the old wooden beams complement the panoramic glass windows. At the village entrance, you immediately encounter a hidden world of streams and bamboo seas.

The guesthouse is divided into three courtyards: Tea Courtyard, Mountain Courtyard, and Water Courtyard, each with its own charm. The 360° viewing platform on the top floor of the Tea Courtyard is the most delightful spot. In the afternoon, curl up in a rattan chair and watch the sunlight filtering through the osmanthus trees, casting dappled shadows, while a faint fragrance drifts over the tea table in the breeze. The "Pigsty" room in the Mountain Courtyard is popular for kids, featuring solid wood furniture paired with smart devices—you can turn on the lights with a call, showing thoughtful details; the bathtub in the Water Courtyard faces the mountain view, allowing you to see clouds drifting over bamboo tips while soaking.

Daytime is meant for the mountains and fields. Catch fish and shrimp in the creek at the guesthouse entrance, with the housekeeper providing creek trekking gear; or walk 3 kilometers to the Tianmu Mountain scenic area, listen to the wind whispering under ancient trees, then in the evening dig sweet potatoes and pick grapes in the village, bringing the fresh flavors of the wild back home. Dinner with flavors from Lin’an is especially healing: Tianmu astragalus free-range chicken stew is tender and flavorful, and the purple perilla grouper is incredibly fresh, with all ingredients sourced from the guesthouse’s own farm.

As night falls, the pool at the Tea Courtyard glows warmly. Sitting in the courtyard, watch the stars fill the night sky, while the sounds of frogs and streams blend into natural white noise. Holding a cup of clear tea at this moment, you understand the true comfort here: it’s not a deliberately crafted poetic scene, but the authentic coexistence of the old courtyard and the mountain wilderness.

Post by ALISHA JENNINGS | Oct 27, 2025