Southern Anhui province was love at almost first sight… it took a couple of tries to find this alley in Tunxi (also know as Huangshan Shi or Yellow Mountain City) where the hotel was located… The pedicab driver from the train station got lost!
The hotel was converted from two old homes so entering meant going through a series of courtyards complete with beautiful mossy planting, cat and puppy. Sorry, cat not caught on camera.
The hotel reception was all traditional wood detailing and art work… a pleasant place to wait in the rain…
Across from the reception another courtyard…
…and then stairs led to the room. I would have stayed here longer if I could have – it was lovely!
Caught here slightly off hours, Laojie was usually crowded with shoppers and shopkeepers. The most charming part of Tunxi.
Found a lovely two storey teashop the last day in Tunxi. Drank delicious green tea and nibbled on cookies prepared on site. An interesting confection filled with dried fruit and so strangely reminiscent of my mother’s mincemeat tarts.
And other fabulous food in Tunxi… we managed to order up some vegetarian feasts!
photos (cc) 2013 Hilary Farmer
