In the lights of the ancient town, meet the slower version of yourself.

While the city's neon lights are still bustling, the night at Boxinyunshe Wenyuan has already been tinged with a layer of rustic gentleness. In the evening, the old locust tree at the alley entrance begins to shed tiny leaves, carrying the lingering warmth of late summer, gently falling on the shoulders of passing travelers. An old lady in a blue cloth shirt walks by carrying a bamboo basket filled with freshly steamed osmanthus cakes, the sweet fragrance spreading all along, becoming the most charming opening of the ancient town’s night.

Walking along the riverside boardwalk, you can see the river reflecting the lanterns on both banks—red, yellow, and warm orange lights swaying gently on the water’s surface, like a spilled jar of aged wine, intoxicating the entire night.

If you prefer quiet, the attic’s book bar is the best place to go. Opening the door, the warm yellow light immediately wraps around you. The bookshelves are filled with old books and picture albums. Running your fingers along the spines, you can feel the texture of time. Find a sofa by the window to sit down, casually pick up a collection of essays about the ancient town, and pair it with a steaming cup of ginger jujube tea. The tea mist rises, blurring the night outside the window and the boundary between reality and the past. Occasionally, other travelers whisper softly, their voices kept low as if afraid to disturb the stories in the books, making this quietness even more precious.

When the moon is at its zenith, why not visit the courtyard? At this moment, there are no phone notifications, no work reminders, only the sound of the wind passing through the courtyard, only your heartbeat syncing with the breath of the ancient town. This is what “Boxin” truly means—on such a night, letting your heart shed all burdens, gently resting in this light, colliding fully with the slowed-down time.

Post by KHLOE HARRISON | Nov 4, 2025