Yingtu Mountain Residence takes boutique hotels in Jingchu to the next level
Hubei Chibi, formerly known as 'Puqi,' was established in 223 AD by the Wu Kingdom in a place where cattails grew abundantly by the river. The famous Battle of Red Cliffs, which divided the land into three kingdoms, took place here. Over 1700 years later, Yingtu Mountain Residence·Chibi, located not far from the ancient battlefield, has redefined boutique hotels in Jingchu with its unique charm.
At the foot of Jigong Mountain, Yingtu Mountain Residence creates a courtyard where only the sounds of nature can be heard. The exterior of the residence is black, reminiscent of the past. Now, the leaves of the ginkgo trees have started to turn yellow. Sitting under the tent beneath the trees, you might occasionally hear ginkgo nuts falling and rolling to the ground. A mountain spring flows through the courtyard, its tinkling sound crisp and clear.
The residence has only 16 suites, each with a private tea room, offering views of bamboo shadows or the courtyard. Smart toilets are a given, and the small-packaged bathroom amenities can be used with confidence; personally, I dislike large-packaged toiletries. Additionally, there are 4 villa cabins, filled with the fragrance of natural wood.
It must be said that SLH has a keen eye. The uniqueness and high quality of Yingtu Mountain Residence have earned it a place in the global Small Luxury Hotels alliance, making it the first SLH hotel in Central China. Each SLH hotel is distinctive. The front desk is housed in a century-old building, its red bricks full of historical charm. The wooden library is serene and ethereal, with a rare edition of the 'Complete Library of the Four Treasuries' as its treasure.
The restaurant at the residence is quite interesting; what you eat is not up to the guests but depends on what is available in the village and fields. The residence has its own hundred-acre orchard and vegetable garden, as well as a pond, and local villagers provide green food. Usually, the fish caught in one net, big and small, make a fresh pot of soup; there's no need to worry about toxic chives as they are grown by the hotel itself; and the osmanthus-flavored braised pork is a must-try, as Chibi is known for its osmanthus flowers, which bloom in August.
The English name of Yingtu Mountain Residence is 'Into,' which implies an immersive experience, fitting perfectly with its ambiance. In front of the residence's pond, the lotus flowers are blooming in their final glory of the season; moringa flowers fall gracefully, blending with the woods on Jigong Mountain.
TIPS:
𓀅 Yingtu Mountain Residence offers two types of handmade experiences: incense making and incense ceremony, using pure natural materials for ultimate purification.
𓀇 The residence regularly exterminates mosquitoes, so there are hardly any insects in the courtyard and rooms.
𓀋 Yingtu Tribe Camp: The tents have beds and air conditioning, and some lakeside tents even have bathrooms. You can fish here, and the bedding is the same as in the residence, providing an 'into' experience of Chibi's hidden countryside.
𓀌 Maoshan Farm: The most distinctive local restaurant, specializing in homegrown vegetables and poultry. The chive dumplings are a delightful surprise.
𓀎 Fish King Hotel: Specializes in fish dishes, with mandarin fish being a must-order. There are various cooking methods, and the fried phoenix tail fish is also crispy and delicious. The restaurant has been around since 1980, a genuine old establishment.
𓀙 Donggang Lake and Huang Gai Lake: In winter, tens of thousands of migratory birds reside here, and swans fly over Yingtu Mountain Residence every day.
𓀠 Yangloudong: The starting point of the Tea and Silk Road, the Qing Dynasty bluestone street was once known as 'Little Hankou.' The green brick tea seen in Erlian is produced here. At its peak, there were over a hundred tea factories and more than 20,000 people active in Yangloudong. The welcome tea at Yingtu Mountain Residence·Chibi is top-quality green brick tea.