Xiamen CBD hides a "tropical rainforest," lying back is the real deal

Turn into an alley from Zhongshan Road and suddenly stumble upon an "oasis": palm trees by the pool taller than people, bougainvillea bursting out of ceramic pots, once you sink into the lounge chair you don’t want to get up... Who would have thought that the busiest downtown area of Xiamen hides such a hotel?

Entering the lobby, wood and stone seem to be "breathing"

The lobby features a full wooden lattice wall, sunlight filters through the gaps casting light spots on the floor, ceramic pots hold dry branches and red berries, like a minimalist ink painting with blank spaces. Walking further in, the corridor runs alongside water features, with moss and pebbles floating on the surface, the wooden balconies of the opposite guest rooms reflected in the water—any photo taken with a phone is a "Zen masterpiece."

Guest rooms: a healing space for introverts

"Minimalist style" but warm: the big white bed is as soft as being wrapped in clouds, two amber-colored lamps by the headboard, lying in bed watching the green plants and light shadows outside the glass instantly makes you forget your deadline. The bathroom has frosted glass, and pulling the curtain isolates everything. The most thoughtful feature is the smart control—press a button and the curtains close automatically, a delight for social anxiety.

Outdoor pool: pretend you’re lying back in Southeast Asia

Lounge chairs line up by the pool, palm trees shade the sunlight, lying down you can doze off. Ceramic pots float in the water, in the distance are egrets on Yundang Lake, with reggae playing in your headphones, you instantly feel transported to Chiang Mai. After swimming at dusk, sit by the ceramic pots on the lawn and watch the sunset dye the sky orange—this is the proper way to enjoy Xiamen.

Food: weld Minnan flavors into your stomach

Breakfast’s earthworm jelly and Minnan porridge are "local classic snacks," no need to scour the city for recommendations. In the evening, order ginger duck at the restaurant, paired with the breeze from Gulangyu Island, even the rice tastes better and you can eat two extra bowls. The lobby bar’s tea bags are Zhengshan Xiaozhong; once brewed, the room fills with fragrance, paired with pineapple cake, all the sweetness of Minnan lingers on your tongue.

Practical tips

- Room choice: Water view room! Open the window to see rippling reflections, wake up to birdsong in the morning, watch moonlight shimmer on the water at night;
- Best photo time: 4 PM in the corridor, sunlight slanting on the wooden lattice makes for perfect silhouettes;
- Nearby activities: 10-minute walk to Yundang Lake to watch egrets skim the water; 15-minute taxi to Shapowei, stroll through the art district and then lie back;
- Hidden perk: Book on Trip.com with the "airport pickup" package, get off the plane and lie straight into the "tropical rainforest," hassle-free!

After staying here for three days, I finally understand: Xiamen’s romance is not just Gulangyu Island, this "oasis" hidden in the city center is the real cure for adults. Wake up to greenery, close your eyes to the scent of wood, even your breathing slows down—this is how a visit to Xiamen should be.