A Rare Find: Dad's Accommodation Picks for Our China Trip
This trip to mainland China was quite unique for one reason: all our accommodations, both hotels and B&Bs, were chosen by my dad. He scoured options on his phone and then shared them with us for final approval. Most of the time, we didn't have many opinions, pretty much leaving him in charge. Part of it was honestly that I just didn't have the energy to search, as I was driving and navigating the whole time. (My mom and brother, on the other hand, had a leisurely trip!)
Our first night's stay in Hangzhou doesn't count, as that was booked by a friend there. The next morning, we drove to Wuzhen, officially kicking off our self-driving adventure. I can't recall if we booked the Wuzhen B&B the night before or further in advance. Initially, a friend recommended staying inside Wuzhen Xizha, but we couldn't find anything, so we ended up staying just outside the scenic area. (Personally, I'd suggest staying inside Xizha for the full experience.) We later found out at the Wuzhen Xizha ticket office that accommodations inside the scenic area must be booked via the official Wuzhen website or at the on-site counter. Staying inside actually bundles the entrance ticket with your accommodation!
If you stay outside, you'll need to purchase the Wuzhen entrance ticket separately on top of your room fee. During peak season, it might be harder to book inside Xizha, so staying outside could be a practical option. However, it's worth comparing prices to see which method suits you best. This specific B&B, Yiyu Qinghuan, did offer one complimentary ticket, which was a nice bonus, though everyone else still had to buy theirs. Plus, the free ticket was only for one of the scenic areas; I forget if it was Dongzha or Xizha.
Our Room at Yiyu Qinghuan B&B: Unexpected Upgrade & Clever Amenities
This was our room on the top floor of Yiyu Qinghuan B&B. We actually didn't book this room type. Since there were no other guests that day, and it was just our family of four, the owner kindly upgraded us to a more spacious room! I only managed to photograph one of them, but both rooms had balconies. One had just a shower, while the other boasted a large bathtub.
The water heating device was quite interesting, practical, and clean. You simply place a bottle of mineral water on top, and it heats and dispenses the water. Sometimes when staying in hotels, I'm hesitant to use their electric kettles, but this setup eliminated that worry. It also heated up quite fast, which was convenient. You can actually find these devices online – they're great for travel!
Friendly Service & Local Insights at Yiyu Qinghuan
Overall, despite a few minor issues, none were significant, and the owner was quick to resolve them. It's a short 5-10 minute walk from here to the entrance of Wuzhen Xizha. You can add the owner on WeChat; he's happy to answer any questions you have, whether it's recommendations for food and drinks or suggestions on where to go. He's a local and lives nearby, though he stays at the B&B when guests are around, only going home for meals.
I chatted with the B&B owner a bit, and he told me he's leasing the building, apparently for a 10-year term at about 100,000 RMB per year. This entire area was built after demolition, and it's still uncertain if his residential area will face demolition in the future. When we visited, it had only been open for a few months, so he was still settling in. The building directly opposite his is also a B&B, owned by people he knows, and it's been open for several years already.
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