Check Out the 5,000-SqM Waterside Manor Near Guangzhou—Don’t Miss South China’s First Whiskey Museum!

From the concrete jungle of Zhujiang New Town, I traveled across Guangzhou’s main urban area from east to west, all to check out [Shijian] adjacent to the Lixun Rongshuli villa complex! Stealing a moment of leisure from a hectic life, I bid a temporary farewell to tedious work, savored distinctive cuisine, and checked into a stylish yet affordable boutique guesthouse.

As one of the top ten guesthouses in Nanhai, Shijian features Xiaobihu Creek, ethereal by day and mysteriously serene by night, along with 38 uniquely styled and fascinating themed spaces—even South China’s first whiskey museum is tucked away here.

Shijian, a homophone for 'time' in Chinese, is a lifestyle research institute and an integrated online-offline social platform for shared interests.

Xiaobihu Creek is distinctly in the classical Lingnan garden style, with lush greenery and vibrant life in the water!

Take the 'Art Chapel,' for instance, with its dominant white tones and Western romanticist flair.

A delicate Western breakfast in the 'Elegance Room' starts the day with a refreshing touch.

The glass box, bathing in natural light, is both eco-friendly and exquisite.

The waterside Dianba offers truly first-rate views—I finally understand the idiom 'a feast for the eyes'!

As an immersive star-rated guesthouse, every room at Shijian has its own distinct character. There’s the original-style 'Rio,' Nordic 'Athens,' modern 'Copenhagen,' Chinese-style 'Beijing,' Japanese 'Kyoto,' light-luxe European 'Morocco,' industrial 'Berlin,' neo-Chinese 'Xitang,' Sri Lankan 'Kandy'… And the one I stayed in this time, 'Cannes,' is a quintessential postmodern style, furnished like a designer and art hotel.

Lying on the bed, which was just the right firmness, and watching shows via projector was pure bliss!

The attention to detail is evident; it was my first time seeing a tea brewer like this, operating much like a coffee machine.

The glass balcony is an absolute highlight, offering a sweeping view of Xiaobihu Creek’s beauty.

At night, Shijian is tranquil and mysterious; the pavilions and towers of the contemporary Lingnan garden, enhanced by lights and mist, make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairyland.

Good food and good lodging are both essential parts of a high-end guesthouse! Great design, service, and furnishings are not enough without food that awakens the taste buds—that wouldn’t be perfect! From wildly imaginative fusion dishes and a scrumptious afternoon tea to intoxicating cocktails, not only were my palate and stomach won over, but all my senses were thoroughly pampered!

Remember the recent online buzz about fake socialites splitting an afternoon tea in Shanghai? In fact, enjoying an exquisite and delicious afternoon tea in a bird-song-filled outdoor setting is really not that hard!

Shijian’s Western afternoon tea boasts looks, ambiance, and taste—whether you’re sharing it with girlfriends or spending an afternoon alone with a book, it’s simply wonderful!

Private kitchens have been hugely popular in recent years, but Shijian, which poached the entire chef team from a Michelin restaurant in Guangzhou, wins my respect! So don’t be surprised that you need to book a private room a week in advance—each room is unique with fantastic views, and the commendable Michelin-level dishes are simply irresistible!

Lunch was a bit more 'down-to-earth': Clay pot braised old chicken with tea tree mushrooms (one pot); Clay pot baked pearl grouper; Stir-fried cuttlefish slices in XO sauce; Tender bullfrog in chili broth; Shredded radish and fresh scallop with cuttlefish strips; Typhoon shelter eggplant rolls and fish tofu; Magang goose braised in savory sauce; Golden seafood tofu; Stir-fried pork with hot peppers; Baby cabbage in superior stock; Wok-fried beef ho fun; Spicy nine-section shrimp.

Dinner was a touch more 'luxurious': Seven-spice duo platter; Pan-fried fresh whole shrimp cakes; Shijian’s special Chongqing-style boiled dish; Typhoon shelter fish, shrimp, and crab; Beef ribs and spotted sea snails; Hand-teared tea tree mushrooms; Collagen-rich softshell turtle braised with chicken; Black garlic double-boiled pork essence (one per person); Moutai-sautéed Chinese kale; Salt-and-pepper crispy whitebait.

Cantonese people are famously picky eaters, but Shijian’s cooking left me with zero complaints! For instance, cooking with regular cooking wine is common, but using precious Moutai is quite rare, isn’t it? The best part is that the Moutai is splashed around the wok’s rim just before dishing out, so the kale is not bitter at all and carries that unique Moutai aroma when you chew—absolutely awesome!

Normally, I wouldn’t order the same dish twice in one day at the same restaurant, but this 'pan-fried fresh whole shrimp cake' was so delicious it became the group’s undisputed favorite, and everyone insisted on ordering it again!

I heard their chili oil base is specially prepared by a master using a secret recipe, totally unlike the pre-packaged blocks other restaurants use for hotpot; no wonder it tastes so good!

After savoring all those delicacies, still feel something is missing? How could you not have a couple of drinks at South China’s first whiskey museum? Tasting liquor at Shijian is truly an indescribable pleasure—with walls of whiskey to choose from and a dizzying array of creative cocktails, you’ll be spoiled for choice! Just be careful not to overindulge!

DIY activities at guesthouses are becoming increasingly upscale and artistic! Staying at Shijian, I discovered that beyond beautiful lodging and delicious food, it’s a treasure trove for sharing a lifestyle. The 'Lacquerware Aesthetics Space' gave me my first encounter with the craft of lacquerware, which dates back to the Neolithic Age. Lacquerware is an art craft made through processes like molding or demoulding, applying base lacquer, sanding, polishing, and decorating. Using raw lacquer from the sap of the lacquer tree, you can create a one-of-a-kind piece in just a few hours!

Shijian won’t wait—so enjoy a wonderful 'time' to the fullest!

Travelogue Contents: 1. Shijian Spaces 2. Shijian Lodging 3. Shijian Dining 4. Shijian Drinks 5. Shijian LOHAS Travel Info Hotel Index Guide Index Flight Index Website Navigation Travel Index Cruise Index Corporate Travel Index Affiliated Cooperation Distribution Alliance Friendly Links Corporate Gift Card Procurement Insurance Agent Agent Cooperation Hotel Affiliation Destination & Scenic Cooperation More Affiliated Cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Ctrip Hot Topics Contact Us Jobs User Agreement Privacy Policy Business License Security Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual Property Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure