An autumn rain made me hear the sound of Chang'an in Xi'an's "crystal treasure box".
The autumn rain quietly arrived, tapping gently on my window. Staying at the Hyatt Centric Xi'an High-Tech Zone, designed by Kengo Kuma, I found the warmest retreat of the autumn season in this space that blends Tang Dynasty aesthetics with modern design.
As autumn deepened in Xi'an, a drizzle dampened the silver facade of the building. From afar, the hotel, nicknamed the "Crystal Treasure Box," seemed draped in a shimmering, watery garment, tranquil and gentle.
Entering the lobby, I was immediately captivated by the 60-meter-long hand-painted mural. Softly lit, the motifs ranged from Qin Dynasty artifacts to modern elements, all inspired by museum exhibits, imbued with charm.
Rainy days are perfect for nestling in a corner of the lobby bar. I sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the ripples on the water outside intertwine with the warm light from the room. I ordered a cocktail inspired by the Pixiu (a Chinese mythical creature) and savored this blend of ancient and modern Xi'an.
The room entrance features a horseshoe-shaped doorplate. Stepping inside, it feels like stepping into a Silk Road-inspired travel inn. Outside the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, the streets of Xi'an appear and disappear through the drizzle, creating a truly poetic atmosphere.
The room is equipped with a dedicated air purification system, leaving the air as fresh as a forest after rain. While the rain patters outside, the room feels warm and inviting inside. The horseshoe-framed table and the bedside lamp, resembling an antique post station lamp, add a touch of travel warmth to the space.
Although the autumn air is chilly, lying in the comfortable bed, I feel enveloped in warmth, and the chill outside seems to have no bearing on me.
On a rainy day like this, the most desirable thing is to warm my stomach with delicious food. I heard the hotel is collaborating with the Grand Hyatt Chengdu's No. 8 Hot Pot, which will officially launch during National Day. I'm really looking forward to it!
I also tried local specialties like roujiamo (Chinese roujiamo) and shaozi noodles, which are particularly satisfying in the cool autumn weather. Chang'an Gourd Chicken and Qinchuan Braised Beef in Soy Sauce, among other innovative Shaanxi dishes, utilize local ingredients, preserving tradition while offering a fresh twist.
The rain abated in the afternoon, so I headed to the nearly 200-square-meter outdoor terrace. Though I didn't sit there for long, the sight of the rain-washed greenery adorned the lush greenery. Taking a deep breath of the moist air, the charm of autumn Xi'an washed over me.
This time, I brought my family and pets with me, and the hotel thoughtfully provided a pet-friendly floor, complete with leashes and beds.
I didn't want to wander far on a rainy day, so I simply wandered through the hotel's public spaces. Kengo Kuma has reinterpreted traditional Tang Dynasty style so beautifully that every step feels like admiring a work of art.
From the hotel, Xi'an in the autumn rain offers a unique charm. The ginkgo leaves surrounding the Big Wild Goose Pagoda were washed golden by the rain. If the rain stops, I'd like to visit the 1,400-year-old ginkgo tree at the Ancient Guanyin Zen Temple and imagine the raindrops falling on its golden leaves.
Occasionally, I'd go cycling along the city walls. Amidst the misty drizzle, Xi'an felt as if it had returned to the days of Chang'an.
The autumn rain brought a chill, but it also cast a different hue over the ancient city. Staying in this hotel, often described as "even more beautiful in photos than in renderings," I truly felt how tradition and modernity can coexist harmoniously, how history and the present can engage in such a gentle dialogue.
Only by pausing in the rain can one hear the true voice of Chang'an. [Heart]