Seeking tranquility in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai this autumn and winter! Lie back in a warm-toned wooden house in the millennium-old village of Yuyao

Dear friends! Don’t want to stay home in autumn and winter but afraid of crowds? The "Yuanxuan Lu" in this millennium-old village in Yuyao, Ningbo, totally gets it! Just 40 minutes by high-speed train from Hangzhou, 2.5 hours driving from Shanghai, wrap yourself in a coat and hide away in the red maple and bamboo forest. Bask in the warm sun by day, gather around the stove for tea by night—the relaxing vibe of autumn and winter is fully charged~

The moment you enter Guanpei Ancient Village, you’re hooked! This old village dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty, with Qing Dynasty stone walls built along the creek. The autumn and winter bluestone paths are covered with ginkgo leaves, red maples frame the flying eaves, and when the wind blows, the leaves rustle, and even the air carries the warm scent of plants and wood~ The guesthouse is hidden here, with stone walls paired with bamboo weaving and xuan paper elements, looking like a vintage painting under the autumn and winter sun. "Building a hut among the people, yet without the noise of carriages and horses" perfectly describes this place!

The creek-view tatami room warms your heart! The floor heating keeps the room cozy, panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows frame the red maples and yellowing bamboo forest. Wake up to sunlight streaming through the windows onto wooden furniture, listen to the creek’s gentle flow as you slowly get up, and the small bedside lamp is perfect for reading at night~ Though the facilities aren’t luxurious, this autumn and winter warmth is more healing than a five-star hotel!

Families with kids can come too! The kids’ room has slides and trampolines indoors, so no worries about the kids catching a chill. The housekeeper even prepares warm ginger tea for the little ones—super thoughtful~

All the food is warm and comforting for autumn and winter! Breakfast features Yuyao’s special rice cake soup and brown sugar steamed buns, warming you from the inside with every bite; dinner includes dried bamboo shoots stewed with native pork and radish pork rib soup, so fresh you’ll drink every drop~ The best part is the courtyard stove tea ceremony! Roast sweet potatoes and chestnuts, hold a cup of hot tea while watching the falling leaves—the autumn and winter ritual is fully charged. If you want a change of flavor, the nearby farmhouse’s cured meats are also delicious~

Daytime activities are super relaxing!

• Stroll the ancient village: step on fallen leaves and admire millennium-old buildings, take vintage-style photos with red maples and stone walls—every shot is a masterpiece;

• Walk the Jiaohu Ancient Trail: the maple leaves are fully red, listen to the rustling leaves as you hike, the surrounding forest turns golden—super healing;

• Visit Jinao Village Waterfall: fewer people in autumn and winter, the forest by the waterfall is dyed orange-red, standing by the pool to enjoy the scenery is so quiet you can hear your own breath;

• For cultural visits, go to Wang Yangming’s former residence—quiet in autumn and winter; after visiting the Yuyao Museum exhibition, you can enjoy a hot coffee nearby~

Don’t miss the rooftop terrace! Wrap yourself in a blanket and bask in the autumn and winter sun, see a bit of white frost on the distant mountain peaks. After dusk when the lights come on, it’s even more magical—the warm light reflects on the fallen leaves, sipping a little wine feels so cozy~ The book bar has a small heater, curl up with a book and warm yourself by the fire, you won’t want to move all afternoon.

Tips: Remember to bring a thick coat; it’s chilly in the mountains morning and night. If you want beautiful photos, bring a hanfu—red maples and the ancient village are a perfect match. Book the stove tea ceremony with the housekeeper in advance so you don’t miss this autumn and winter romance~

Highly recommended for those wanting to escape the noise. Spend a weekend here for two days, bask in the warm sun, chat around the stove, and tuck all the gentleness of autumn and winter into your pocket~

🏨 Hotel name: Yuanxuan Lu · Guanpei Guesthouse (Yuyao Branch)
📍 Address: No. 285, Outer Guanpei, Jinguang Village, Lizhou Street, Yuyao City, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province (Search by name for navigation, free parking available for self-driving)