Waking up to the blue of Qiandao Lake, a vacation in light and shadow

“The true essence of travel is not exercise, but to move your soul to find the springtime of life.” In my eyes, Qiandao Lake is a glowing place near Hangzhou, filled with the poetry of Thoreau’s pen. The healing secrets hidden in the lake and mountains were unlocked this time at the InterContinental Hotel. The guest rooms feature a spacious natural wood style. The moment you open the balcony door, the blue of Qiandao Lake flows in like silk, with distant islands like emeralds dotting the lake surface. Every corner of the lakeside stay is worth cherishing. The InterContinental Lighthouse is one of the hotel’s most iconic photo spots, contrasting with the transparent lake blue behind it. Of course, this is also the closest place to the lake. The entire Xianshan Peninsula resort is the hotel’s public area. Coming here for a vacation is all about this beautiful lake view. The hotel’s Starry Corridor presents different scenes at different times of the day. The hollow metal canopy filters sunlight during the day, casting mottled shadows; at nightfall, warm yellow lights turn on, weaving a dreamy light waterfall with the deep blue lake and night sky. The Moon Gate is a natural picture frame, cropping the lake blue, sky blue, and tree green into a dynamic oil painting. Here, you can leave a silhouette and freeze a warm moment in time. The infinity pool seamlessly connects with the lake view, its water clear as a mirror, making you feel as if you are merging with the lake while swimming. There are also many nearby places to explore: watch the sunset at Tianyu Mountain, climb Meifeng Island to overlook the beautiful islands of Qiandao Lake, or visit Qinchuan Ancient Village to stroll through a Huizhou-style ancient village. Let your soul catch up with your steps, and in a gentle blue, live your days in a “no rush” way.