Puzhehei: A Retreat Where Mountains and Water Meet, Opening Your Window to Lotus Fields

Luxury Eco-Lodge Travel Photography at Puzhehei: Embrace Nature by Qinglong Lake

At six in the morning, the cobblestone path was still damp with morning mist as I walked toward the Lovers' Bridge. Just a few steps away, I heard faint sounds—dew drops falling from lotus buds into the lake and the gentle rustle of reeds swaying in the breeze. Turning back, I caught a glimpse of the wooden sign for "Rushan Rushe" ("Like Mountains, Like Home") half-hidden in the lush greenery. The karst mountains, outlined in soft golden light from the dawn, resembled brushstrokes in an unfinished ink painting.

The lodge's guest rooms are a hidden sanctuary embraced by nature. Opening the floor-to-ceiling windows, the lotus pond immediately fills your view. Green lotus leaves crowd together, with the occasional pink bloom peeking out, and even the breeze carries a sweet, watery freshness. Nestled in a rattan chair on the terrace, I watched as sunlight slowly crept across the lotus leaves, turning water droplets into sparkling diamonds. The cotton-linen bedding, infused with the softness of mountain breezes, made for the perfect afternoon nap, accompanied by the natural white noise of cicadas and water sounds. In that moment, I lost all sense of time.

In the evening, I followed the lodge owner to the Qinglong Mountain pier, where she expertly guided us onto a complimentary bamboo raft. The setting sun painted the lake a warm orange, and waterfowl skimmed over the reeds, leaving behind crisp calls. As we paddled to the center of the lake, the owner pointed to the distant mountains and said, "If you wake up early tomorrow, you'll see the sunrise tinting the mountain peaks a rosy hue." As she spoke, dusk deepened, and the silhouette of Qinglong Mountain became an increasingly vivid backdrop.

Back at the lodge, the tea room was filled with the aroma of tea. The owner brewed Pu'er tea using local spring water and began sharing stories about Puzhehei: which lotus pond blooms most beautifully in July, which trail offers the best stargazing away from the crowds, and even amusing anecdotes about the filming of "Where Are We Going, Dad?" in Room 3. After several rounds of tea, night had fallen completely, and looking up, I saw the Milky Way spilling across the sky, as if I could reach out and pluck a star.

The next morning, I joined the lodge owner on a trip to Caifaqing, a nearby village. The morning mist lingered, shrouding the gray-tiled, white-walled village, where villagers occasionally passed by with water buffalo, their footsteps startling a few egrets. From a high vantage point, the karst peaks reflected in the lake below, blurring the line between mountain and water. The owner explained that every stone here carries a story, even the bathroom tiles reflect the texture of karst rock layers. No wonder time seems to slow down in this place.

On the day of departure, a child clung to the lodge's swing, unwilling to leave, murmuring, "I want to come back next time." As the car drove away, I glanced back—"Rushan Rushe" still stood quietly by Qinglong Lake, like a gentle jade seal stamped on the long scroll of Puzhehei's karst landscape. It turns out the best travel photography isn't about deliberately seeking out scenery, but about letting nature fill your eyes and leaving time etched in your heart.

Post by 如山 | Sep 26, 2025