Staying at No. 1 Courtyard in Dali Ancient Town: A Guide to Leisure and Delight

No. 1 Courtyard boasts a prime location within the ancient city walls, near Bo'ai Gate and a mere 3-minute walk from the South Gate. Staying here allows for effortless exploration of the ancient town, wandering at will. Having visited Dali countless times, my strolls are leisurely, with no need to rush. I revisit familiar streets, encountering throngs of tourists on Renmin Road and Fuxing Road, reveling in the unchanging vibrancy of the ancient town. 1. From the hotel, take a shortcut through the Jiulong Commercial Street to Fuxing Road. Turn right at Cangping Street, and you'll arrive at the Dali Ancient Town Bedsheet Factory Art District. I seem to gravitate towards this tranquil, tourist-free haven every time I'm in Dali. Here, you'll find the Dolphin Ad Bookstore, which originally resided on Renmin Road but relocated due to financial constraints. Its name, inspired by Chen Sheng's song "Dolphin Ad," evokes dreams. The bookstore offers art, design, photography, independent publications, and art derivatives, and also hosts free Cangshan lectures. In the afternoon, sunlight streams through the windows, creating the perfect ambiance for enjoying a cup of coffee. 2. In Dali Ancient Town, I often venture out in the afternoons, spending my mornings at the hotel. After breakfast at the Ting Feng Restaurant in No. 1 Courtyard, I enjoy a leisurely stroll around the grounds. This unique courtyard-style hotel within the ancient city blends Bai and Huizhou architecture, showcasing minimalist aesthetics and Chinese charm. The courtyard's exterior and spatial design are truly captivating, exuding a sense of Zen tranquility. As I wander through the courtyard, I'm enveloped by the pristine white walls, bathed in sunlight, and gaze at the azure sky above, engaging in a silent dialogue with the elegant surroundings. 3. The hotel's courtyard is adorned with numerous maple trees, their foliage transforming with the seasons, adding splashes of color against the white walls and gray tiles. Legend has it that the hotel owner, captivated by the vibrant maple leaves encountered during a trip, decided to plant them in the courtyard. 4. Lavender lines the pathways outside the courtyard, its purple hues evoking romance and auspiciousness. I discovered online that Faye Wong once spent a week at No. 1 Courtyard, and a photo captures her leisurely departing the hotel, with the lavender-lined pathway as the backdrop. From the pathway, the majestic Cangshan Mountain comes into view, its contours and cloud-capped peak clearly visible. 5. The hotel rooms also offer stunning views of Cangshan Mountain, with nearly every room featuring a viewing balcony. I particularly enjoy the One-Bedroom Courtyard, a duplex design with a living room downstairs, a bedroom upstairs, and a private balcony. The breathtaking view of Cangshan Mountain from the balcony is truly refreshing. 6. The hotel has 11 One-Bedroom Courtyards, two of which feature unique courtyard wells with bathtubs. The wells, designed with white sand and gray stone, evoke a Zen-like dry landscape. Charming small Buddha statues add a touch of elegance to the wells. These statues, collected by the hotel owner during travels, are also displayed throughout the outdoor courtyard alleys. 7. I'm particularly drawn to the hotel's courtyard ambiance. With the curtains drawn, sunlight floods the room. Lounging in my private courtyard, I bask in the sun and blue sky. The space offers both privacy and a sense of openness, allowing natural light and ventilation to permeate the room.