Hidden Greatness in the City | Entering China's First Forest Culture Theme Hotel AOLUGUYA

Harbin, the Ice City, is renowned as 'Oriental Little Paris' and 'Oriental Moscow,' with its eclectic blend of Chinese and Western architecture. St. Sophia Cathedral and Central Street are must-visit spots for tourists, and every winter, the Harbin Ice and Snow World attracts visitors from all over the country.

This summer, through the KOL Credibility Gold List event, I returned to Harbin and stayed at this forest culture theme hotel, AOLUGUYA. For event details and the list, please refer to '2021 KOL Credibility Gold List Awards and the 4th Hotel Communication Salon Held at AOLUGUYA in Harbin.'

The most remote and mysterious branch of the Evenki people—China's last hunting tribe, 'Aoluguya.'

The hotel design was personally crafted by the world-renowned hotel design consultancy HBA, incorporating the forest elements and life scenes of 'Aoluguya' deep in the Greater Khingan Range into every corner of the hotel, vividly showcasing lifestyle aesthetics in the hotel space. It creates a tranquil forest-themed resort space within the city, fostering an atmosphere of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Yue'anli Sky Lobby

The Yue'anli Sky Lobby is located on the 42nd floor of the hotel. Its decor embraces simplicity and authenticity, using natural materials to interpret rustic luxury and exquisite charm.

The flowing water feature in the lobby is cleverly designed, adorned with sculptures resembling trees; accompanied by the sounds of chirping insects and birds, and the gurgling of spring water, it feels as if you are deep in the Yue'anli forest farm in the Greater Khingan Range.

On the walls hang signature plaques made of birch wood, bearing the autographs of many celebrities and dignitaries. Stone, logs, and other elements decorate the lobby, imbuing it with a pristine natural atmosphere.

At dusk, the sunset pours through the large floor-to-ceiling windows into the lobby, making the space brighter, warmer, and more comfortable, as if you were lying on soft grass in the depths of the forest, basking in sunlight. The spacious sofas and seats in the Yue'anli Sky Lobby are perfect for guests to gather in their leisure time. A concierge in a smart uniform warmly guided me through check-in while skillfully introducing the various floors and spaces of the hotel.

A'axiuka Executive Lounge

Also located on the 42nd floor, the A'axiuka Executive Lounge is an ideal place for business meetings or gatherings with friends. The designer directly brought forest timber into the space, perfectly integrating it into the hotel's public areas.

The high-ceilinged space exudes understated luxury, and the wide floor-to-ceiling windows perfectly capture the outdoor scenery, allowing guests to overlook the charming Songhua River and the traffic on the bridges.

Guests staying in the Cuoluozi rooms such as Woyun, Qixia, Baoyue, and Puyue can also enjoy multiple exclusive benefits here, such as a dedicated meeting room and complimentary afternoon tea. The comfortable space is also great for inviting friends to drink and chat in the evening.

Staying in the Cuoluozi Guest Room

Many people may not know what a Cuoluozi is; it is the dwelling place of the Evenki people. It is built with a frame of several birch poles, with walls and roof made of birch bark. Thus, they live alongside reindeer, sleeping under the moonlight and starry sky.

The hotel's design inspiration also comes from natural decorative materials. The rooms extensively use log decor, with an average size of 60 sqm. The Woyun King Room I stayed in covers 72 sqm, with an open-plan layout of one bedroom and one living room.

The room's bedding uses Serta mattresses, which are moderately soft and firm. What touched me most was that the bed was impeccably made.

The room is equipped with a separate wet and dry bathroom and a large bathtub by the window. Shower amenities are by L'Occitane, and toothbrushes and other items are packaged in eco-friendly paper cylinders.

The lighting in the room also uses recessed ceiling spotlights, like twinkling stars in the sky, paying homage to the living environment of the Cuoluozi.

Jiaoketankela • Zhaoxia Full-Day Restaurant

The Jiaoketankela • Zhaoxia Full-Day Restaurant, located on the 43rd floor, is where I had my brunch over two days. Jiaoketankela means 'a place full of lilies' in the Evenki language, full of poetic charm.

Breakfast is served from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, combining breakfast and lunch. This is a treat for guests who prefer to stay in the hotel and wake up late.

In the morning, sunlight streams through the wooden-lattice glass walls onto the dining tables. The background music is bird songs, making one feel as if surrounded by morning glow and dew in the wild. The restaurant offers a lavish selection of global cuisine, as well as Evenki milk tea and freshly made dumplings.

Wubugema • Flame Specialty Grill Room

At noon on the second day, we had lunch at the Wubugema • Flame Specialty Grill Room on the 43rd floor. The restaurant is named after Wubugema, the bravest and most generous hunter of Aoluguya. The vibrant and aromatic organic Western cuisine leaves a lasting impression on guests' palates, and from here, one can also enjoy the magnificent cityscape.

Kululi Chinese Restaurant

The Kululi Chinese Restaurant is on the 3rd floor, featuring a spacious public dining area and 7 private rooms. In the Evenki language, Kululi means a place abundant with mountain fruits, lingonberries, and plums; it signifies a forest of delicacies and advocates for an 'organic' natural wellness concept in Chinese dining.

The restaurant's lighting fixtures also resemble twinkling stars, creating an organic dining environment. The 7 private rooms are named after regions in the Evenki area: Hasi, Saren, Suqin, Aodeng, Naren, Enhe, and Mangui.

The main dining hall features double-layer frosted glass with镂空 (hollowed-out) forest shadows; beside the dining tables are frames made of three birch branches, serving as coat racks for guests to hang their clothes and bags while dining.

Kululi Chinese Restaurant specializes in new-style Cantonese cuisine and Jiangnan flavors, but also offers some innovative Northeastern dishes. During this meal, I sampled Typhoon Shelter-style King Crab, knife-cut chili stir-fried pork ribs, spicy crawfish, and Guobao Rou (sweet and sour pork) with a yellow peach base—tempting and irresistible, making it hard to stop eating.

Genhe Wetland • L'Occitane Spa

The high-quality Genhe Wetland SPA on the 5th floor is the fourth L'Occitane Spa experience center in Greater China. Named after Asia's first wetland, it invites you to get close to the gentle streams, following ancient natural wellness principles based on life energy, offering a brand-new spa experience.

There are 10 private rooms named after rivers around the Evenki area, including 3 double rooms and 7 single rooms. Each room uses high-efficiency soundproofing materials and ultra-quiet treatment. The tranquil space allows your dreams to flow along with the stream into the beautiful Genhe River.

Fitness Center & Swimming Pool

The fitness center on the 5th floor boasts over 240 square meters of spacious area, with full floor-to-ceiling windows and all imported fitness equipment. The sunlit yoga room is also highly recommended. Guests can enjoy moments of relaxation accompanied by soothing music.

The sunlit lounge and swimming pool on the 5th floor are also great choices for an urban getaway. Whether for business or leisure, the hotel's pool is worth a visit.

The hotel also thoughtfully provides a sauna room and a comfortable constant-temperature Jacuzzi. I imagine that in winter, with snow-covered scenery outside and a warm spring-like interior, soaking in the Jacuzzi would be a delightful experience.

Guests staying in rooms above the 72 sqm Woyun King Room can also rent a car from the hotel for free. This greatly facilitates guests who enjoy self-driving tours. This summer, check in at the hotel, rent a car, and explore the Ice City to fully experience Harbin's infinite charm.

1. Distance from the hotel to Central Street: 8.9 km, about 31 minutes by car.

2. Distance to Snow Expo: 7.2 km, about 15 minutes by car.

3. Distance to Sophia Church: 16 km, about 37 minutes by car.

4. Distance to Ice and Snow World: 4.9 km, about 10 minutes by car.

5. Distance to Harbin Grand Theatre: 6.4 km, about 12 minutes by car.

6. Distance to Northeast Tiger Forest Park: 7.8 km, about 15 minutes by car.

7. Distance to Sun Island Scenic Area: 7.2 km, about 15 minutes by car.

8. Distance to Harbin Taiping International Airport: 35 km, about 30 minutes by car.

9. Distance to Harbin Railway Station: 15 km, to Harbin West Railway Station: 18 km, about 20+ minutes by car.