Just 1.5h from Xi'an! Stay in a rammed earth courtyard deep in the Qinling Mountains

Drive 1.5 hours to reach Chejiahe Village in Zhashui County, 80 km south of Xi'an. Nestled among rolling mountains and babbling streams, the Hillside Village Qinling Resort hides in this secluded valley. Three courtyards—Beiyang, Niubei, and Xilu—are terraced along the slopes, blending with the mist, ancient trees, and wildflowers of Qinling to create an ink-wash painting.
·📍 Hillside Village Qinling Resort
📍 HILLSIDE VILLAGE
·

In this 2,000㎡ valley sanctuary, guest rooms are scattered across three courtyards. With a "restore as old" philosophy, the designer preserved the distinctive tiled roofs and ochre rammed-earth walls of southern Shaanxi folk houses, each building adorned with hand-carved brick patterns by local artisans. Push open the wooden doors to find a relaxed vibe where polished concrete meets textured rammed-earth walls. Mid-century furniture and vintage treasures from overseas whisper tales of bygone days under dappled light from floor-to-ceiling windows.
┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈
▪️ Rooms
Named after Qinling’s four seasons, like "Smoke Tree" and "Red Maple," each 50-60㎡ room is an independent aesthetic space: Tatami lounge area for tea and mountain views; Yamaha sound system and bathtub for a forest symphony; custom bedding and bedtime sweets with family-like turndown service; panoramic windows framing misty valleys at dawn.
·
▪️ Dining
The kitchen auntie’s cooking is highly praised, with ingredients sourced from the resort’s garden and seasonal wild herbs. Fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, dewy and fragrant, offer a rare "original taste" hard to find in cities. Dishes like sour noodle soup, dry-fried free-range chicken, wild herb salad with walnuts, and "fairy tofu" showcase authentic southern Shaanxi flavors. Starlit BBQs and creek-side picnics feature chilled watermelon and Qinling honey water—perfect for summer nights.
·
▪️ Experiences
Hiking, terrace yoga, bonfire movies, creek play, traditional farming, botanical dyeing… each season brings unique surprises. Nearby, Niubei Liang National Forest Park (93% forest cover, 18°C in summer) offers canyon hikes, waterfall trails, and encounters with takins and crested ibises. Zhashui Karst Caves, the largest in northern China, reveal underground "jade pools" and glass water slides. Zhongnanshan Village’s ancient-style street serves local snacks, with thrills like glass bridges and canyon ziplines.

Post by DOMINIC FOWLER | May 19, 2025