Seeking the White Moonlight in My Heart: A Paradise-Like Life in Dali
Somewhere along the way, life started speeding up—study, work, everyday living, all pushing us to hurry, to go faster. Under the weight of it all, we become spinning tops, racing through days that look busy and full. In those rare moments when I could slow down, I chose a haven for my ideal life: Dali, Yunnan, as my travel destination. Amid its romance and natural beauty, I rediscovered my love for life.
For me, the most important part of travel is choosing the right hotel. This time I picked Meili Xiangyue · Mengdiezhuang Hotel—a name as dreamy as its setting. Tucked away just outside the north gate of Dali Ancient Town, it offers peace in the heart of the action, with a perfect location—that’s one reason. Guest rooms overlook the entire Cangshan Mountain range—that’s two. But what I valued most was the “one room, one car, one butler” service: every room comes with a 24-hour private butler and a dedicated car, free to use within a 30-kilometer radius of the hotel, plus customized travel itineraries. Traveling usually means spending so much time and energy planning, so this thoughtful service was a godsend.
After a few hours’ flight, the plane touched down smoothly. Blue skies and white clouds welcomed me with a sense of ease and nature. The hotel butler, who had arranged to meet me earlier, was already waiting, cheerfully taking my luggage and stowing it in the trunk. As I sat in the car watching the traffic roll gently by, my Dali journey began.
The car pulled up at the hotel gate just as dusk was falling. The white-walled, grey-tiled buildings of Meili Xiangyue · Mengdiezhuang Hotel stood calm and graceful in the evening light. A small path lined with wooden pillars led to the entrance, antique and full of textured beauty. Above it, a plaque boldly read “Mengdiezhuang” in strong, vigorous strokes.
After checking in, the butler carried my luggage to the room and delivered a welcome fruit plate—warm, attentive service. I had chosen an Erhai Garden · Private Soaking Pool Villa. The room was finished mainly in wood—wooden floors, wood-coloured window frames and door frames—radiating warmth everywhere. My favourite part was the little private courtyard, with a tiny wooden pavilion. Sitting there with a cup of tea, taking in the view, my mood lifted instantly.
The room also had a soaking pool. In my idle moments I’d lounge in it, relaxing, sipping a little wine, nibbling fruit or snacks—utterly contented.
After a restful night, the butler took me the next day, as planned, to see Dali’s iconic landmark—Erhai Lake. When we arrived, the sky was still a bit overcast. Flocks of seagulls skimmed the water, sending ripples across the surface. The wind was strong, and the butler doubled as my photographer, snapping shot after shot—the pictures turned out so beautiful.
In the afternoon, we headed to Dali Ancient Town, just a five-minute walk from the hotel. The ancient town is quaint and peaceful, filled with the scent of flowers and plants, and clear streams trickling through. Locals grow flowers in their courtyards and live life at a slow pace. The roadside shops sell not only tourist souvenirs, but also vegetables and fruit, snacks, and folk costumes.
After wandering through the old town’s pedestrian street, with time to spare, the butler mentioned that the ginkgo trees on Yuer Road, by the Cangshan Gate of the ancient town, had turned yellow. So we strolled along that open avenue, lined with sycamores and ginkgos. As far as I could see, golden trees and fallen leaves carpeted the ground. When an autumn breeze blew, ginkgo leaves fluttered down in a shower—absolutely breathtaking!
Early on the third morning, the butler and I arrived at Xizhou, a small town only about a twenty-minute drive from the hotel. The butler told me all about Xizhou Ancient Town—a place perfect for unwinding. It preserves the largest and most intact collection of traditional Bai-style houses in the world, and is the “miraculous Xizhou” that author Lao She once wrote about. Being there, you can’t help but slow your pace and soak in the town’s laid-back charm.
Further on is Xizhou’s Square Street, a market selling all kinds of trinkets and local eats. As a little foodie, what tempted me most was Xizhou baba, a local pastry that comes in sweet and savoury versions: sweet with rose sugar, savoury with pork and scallions. I preferred the sweet one—crispy on the outside, soft inside, leaving a fragrant taste with every bite.
In the afternoon, the butler and I decided to walk to the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, just about five minutes from the hotel on foot. Along the way, every view was a picture of natural comfort, the air so fresh it lifted my spirits.
As we drew closer, the three pagodas—once only visible from afar—came into full view. I’d heard that Chongsheng Temple burned down during the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty, leaving only the pagodas intact. Standing there, I could feel their imposing grandeur up close. Their ancient stillness adds an extraordinary touch to the city of Dali.
On the fourth day I decided to stay in and just rest, spending my last day in Dali at the hotel. I woke up naturally in the morning, and after lunch, gazing at the little bridges and streams on the hotel grounds, like a world away from everything, I suddenly felt inspired. I changed into a qipao and asked the butler to take some photos. His photography skills were professional—he kept finding angles, guiding my poses, even borrowed an oil-paper umbrella and a folding fan as props. The results? I couldn’t be happier!
On the fifth morning, after an early wash and packing, I said goodbye to the receptionist, and the butler drove me to the airport. This Dali trip came to a perfect end! Life is slow, and time is beautiful. I think my ideal state of living is this: to read poetry as “life” and to live life as “poetry.” The “one room, one car, one butler” service at Meili Xiangyue · Mengdiezhuang Hotel made my journey smooth and worry-free—I have to rave about this hotel with views of Cangshan and Erhai. That white moonlight in my heart, I believe, must be this paradise-like life in Dali.
