A niche and tranquil place
From Beijing Chaoyang Station, it takes only 37 minutes to reach Xinglong County. As soon as you get off the train, a gust of cold wind hits you, and there are shiny ice shards on the ground, indicating that it has just snowed. The air is filled with a faint scent of cedarwood, 'This is winter.'
After leaving the station, you can choose to take a taxi or book the Anaya shuttle bus, which will take you to your destination in 30 minutes. (Driving takes more than 3 hours, and half of the journey is mountain roads, so it is not recommended for those who are not confident in their driving skills.)
Anaya Wuling Mountain is different from Qinhuangdao; it focuses on Japanese-style retreats, and the entire park's architecture exudes a sense of coolness. The park is built in a mountain valley, and the first phase is currently not large, taking only 10 minutes to walk through.
Accommodation:
Stay at the Lanye Hotel, which is currently the only hotel in the park that offers complimentary public bath tickets, two breakfasts (one Japanese and one Western), and a dessert experience voucher. Standing on the large terrace of the room, you can enjoy a distant view of the mountains and the sea, feeling at ease. There is no TV in the room and there will not be one in the future, but you can book a projector from the front desk, though the number is limited.
Hot Springs:
There are two options: public baths and private baths, both of which need to be booked in advance. You can book the entire public bath for a specific time slot (9:00 AM or 4:00 PM). Private baths are divided into outdoor and indoor, costing over 600 yuan for three hours, with 24-hour circulating treated natural spring water. Looking out the window at the gradually withering trees, occasionally a squirrel or two comes to forage. Curling up in the hot spring water, all worries dissipate. There is also a tea room in the hot spring area, where you can enjoy a book, a cup of tea, and a window view. It would be even more perfect if it snowed heavily.
Dining:
There is only one canteen in the park, with cuisine similar to that in Qinhuangdao. There is a Japanese restaurant, a dessert shop, and a bar (closed in winter). There is currently no supermarket, so it is recommended to bring your own drinks.
Entertainment:
Loneliness and healing are the biggest feelings about Anaya Wuling Mountain. Most activities here focus on self-exploration, such as meditation, hiking, and flower arranging classes. I experienced a Japanese flower arranging class (which actually originated in China), where the teacher talked a lot about choosing flowers, selecting leaves, and leaving blank spaces, 'We need to restore the true nature of things.' Let flowers be flowers, let trees be trees, give others back to others, and give yourself back to yourself, that is the meaning.
Life is like a fog, passing through layers of thorns, you will eventually find that fog light and reach the other shore. This winter, Anaya Wuling Mountain is worth a visit. Here, distant mountains, hot springs, and delicious food will heal everything.