A Glimpse into Song Dynasty Charm, a Night at Atour: A Stay at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden Wenmiao Atour Hotel

From the moment I stepped through the doors of the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden Wenmiao Atour Hotel, it felt like falling from the bustling city into a gentle Song Dynasty dream. The hotel’s location is cleverly chosen, right next to the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden scenic area. Within a five-minute walk, you can immerse yourself in the elegant experience of “stepping into a painting for a day, dreaming back a thousand years,” and when you turn back to the hotel, you find a quiet comfort in modern luxury. This experience of “quiet inside, bustling outside” perfectly matches all my expectations for a short trip. At check-in, the front desk staff handed me not only the room key but also a warm cup of green tea. The tea was light and subtly sweet, dispelling the fatigue of travel and instantly conveying Atour’s consistent “humanistic warmth.” The hotel’s overall design is inspired by Song Dynasty aesthetics but avoids the cliché of simply piling up antiques—the wooden screens in the lobby are carved with simple patterns inspired by the Bian River’s canal transport, and the seating in the lounge borrows the curved lines of Song Dynasty round chairs, paired with plain cotton and linen cushions. This preserves the elegance of Chinese style while ensuring modern comfort. The chandeliers overhead have lampshades that mimic Song Dynasty silk lanterns, and the warm light filtering through the thin fabric casts a soft glow over the space. A casual photo taken with a phone requires no special composition to capture a scene full of atmosphere. My room was on a high floor, and through the window, I caught a glimpse of the flying eaves and upturned corners of Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. The details inside the room were a delightful surprise: the headboard wall featured an ink painting of the Bian River scene, echoing the real view outside; on the desk sat a notebook and pen branded with “Wenmiao Atour,” and a small decorative set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone tucked in a corner subtly revealed cultural charm. The bedding was especially thoughtful—the mattress was moderately firm, pillows offered both soft and firm options, and the lightweight cotton blanket ensured a restful night’s sleep without any discomfort from staying in an unfamiliar hotel. In the morning, I went to the restaurant for breakfast, where the offerings also reflected Song Dynasty creativity. Besides the usual Chinese and Western dishes, they specially prepared Kaifeng’s signature almond tea and soup-filled buns. The almond tea was finely brewed and silky smooth, sprinkled with a bit of sesame and crushed peanuts, delivering a rich flavor in every sip. The soup buns had thin skins and generous fillings; biting a small hole to sip the broth was fresh and not greasy, instantly awakening the taste buds. At the next table sat a couple with their child, who was playing with a Song-style kite provided by the hotel, while the adults discussed their plan to watch the “Great Song: Dream of Tokyo” performance at Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden that day. The soft laughter and conversation filled the restaurant with the warmth of everyday life. In the afternoon, not wanting to be crowded in the scenic area, I spent the afternoon at the hotel’s “Bamboo Residence” (Atour’s public library). The Bamboo Residence is well-stocked with books, including those on Kaifeng’s history and Song Dynasty culture, as well as various literary classics and travel guides. I picked up a copy of “Dreams of Tokyo” and sat by the window, where sunlight filtered through the blinds onto the pages. Occasionally, I looked up to see the shadows of the phoenix trees outside, with gentle background music playing softly. Time seemed to slow down. During this time, a staff member brought me a freshly brewed cup of green tea and quietly said, “Take your time, no rush.” This unobtrusive kindness made me feel especially at ease. Before checking out, I made a point to stroll around the Wenmiao ruins at the hotel entrance. The weathered stone tablets and ancient locust trees silently told the history of this place, while Atour Hotel felt like a gentle guardian, perfectly blending this historical heritage with modern travel needs. When packing, I found a handwritten note on the bedside table that read, “Looking forward to meeting you again in the charm of the Song Dynasty,” written in elegant and warm handwriting. This stay was less about staying in a hotel and more an immersive experience of “Song Dynasty lifestyle aesthetics”—no need for forced check-ins, just slow down and, with a cup of tea, a book, and a window view, you can touch the gentleness and elegance of Kaifeng city. If I come to Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden again, I think I will still choose this place, to once again enjoy the beautiful rendezvous of Song charm and Atour.