Hangzhou Xixi: Encountering Shili Fangfei, Unlocking the Ethereal Beauty of a Fairytale Hotel

I spent the first half of 2020 largely at home, and recently took my family on a nearby getaway.

We checked in at Shili Fangfei, a trendy resort village hidden inside Hangzhou's Xixi Wetland.

The latest season of Running Man was filmed here, the freshman camp of Hupan University chose to book the entire place for their opening, and elites from Jack Ma's company often come here for team building... What is the charm of this resort village?

In this episode of Fei Girl's Travelogue, we explore the secrets of Shili Fangfei.

Looking down from the sky, the river network is dense, paddy fields interlace, and green trees cast shade — this is the village hidden among emerald waters and lush greenery!

The recent episode of Running Man was filmed right here,

staying together with Running Man at Shili Fangfei, in a hidden realm of flowers.

Hangzhou Xixi Shili Fangfei themed resort village

is simply a paradise away from the world!

Take a boat to a secluded village surrounded by green water in the heart of the wetland, then stroll through six tiny islands inside the village. Walking from the first house to the last takes about 40 minutes, roughly ten li – hence the name Shili Fangfei (Ten Li of Fragrance). Vegetation flourishes here, and flowers bloom everywhere. Right now, hydrangeas are in full bloom, creating a path of blossoms all the way, as beautiful as a fairyland.

An aerial view from the drone shows just how gorgeous this place is!

Drive and navigate to Qingxingdu near Zhoujia Village in Xixi Wetland. Check in at this distinctive wooden house. Right beside it is the pier from where you take a boat to your guestroom.

ALOR VALLEY

The train carriage at the entrance is quite artsy; you can sit here while waiting for the boat.

Board an antique-style boat, Fangfei Hao, to travel to the Shili Fangfei resort village inside Xixi Wetland.

Sitting in the boat, the scenery outside is like a painting, and you feel like you are drifting through a work of art.

Arriving at my island, Lihua Wu – the innermost of the six islands and exceptionally tranquil. The pier even has fitness equipment like exercise bikes and treadmills, so you can work out while enjoying the beautiful views of Xixi.

Shili Fangfei has 111 guestrooms in total, including garden rooms with courtyards, lake-view rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, waterside rooms, tatami rooms... each offering a unique view.

My room came with a large courtyard beside the water. Ancient trees tower overhead, and now is the time when cicadas hum and the woods grow ever quieter. Hydrangeas in the yard are blooming vibrantly. Have tea and chat in the courtyard, spending a leisurely afternoon with family.

The room is spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom and excellent natural light. The interior is done in Japanese style, complemented by tatami, a tea table, tea set, and incense burner — very cozy.

Drip coffee bags, tea sachets, a teapot, and complimentary bottled water. The minibar cola, Fanta, sparkling water, beer and other drinks are also free.

The extremely spacious bathroom has twin sinks, so you won't feel crowded when using it with family. By the floor-to-ceiling window there is a large bathtub, a big mirror, and beautiful floor tiles. There's an electric heated towel rack, underfloor heating for winter, a Dyson hairdryer, Japanese horse oil body lotion, cosmetic cotton swabs, makeup remover pads, and POLA toiletries from Japan.

The bathroom design is particularly stylish and luxurious. Fixtures are by Hansgrohe from Germany, and the toilet comes with a Washlet. Lighting is excellent, and ventilation is great.

Soon after settling in, the butler brought snacks and mint leaves. The snacks are sticky rice balls filled with red bean paste, perfect to eat a couple to fill the stomach. The mint leaves can repel mosquitoes or be used in a bath.

There happened to be sparkling water in the fridge, so I could also make myself a homemade MOJITO.

After resting a while in the room, I went out for a stroll. I'm staying at Lihua Wu; in spring it's full of pear blossoms, and now in high summer the trees are laden with green pears, heavy with fruit.

Walking through the pear orchard, crossing a little bridge, I wandered through a sea of green.

In front of the Pomegranate House, the "Gardening Shop" is stunning. Hydrangeas bloom everywhere, and cut stems are arranged in jars and vases, paired with various succulents and quaint little objects — so beautiful!

I felt as if I were in a dream, like Alice in Wonderland.

The afternoon was hot, so I sat down at Huashen Café.

A corner of Huashen Café, with a particularly comfortable atmosphere.

On the wall, the blackboard is also filled with blossoms — isn't it just too lovely?

At Huashen Café, you can sign up for many classes. Learn to bake bread with the bread teacher, or learn pour-over coffee with the coffee teacher.

Not only do you pick up new skills, you also get to enjoy a homemade elegant afternoon tea.

The bread I baked myself and the coffee I pour-over myself tasted especially good.

After afternoon tea at the café, I went out to find some Instagram-worthy photo spots.

At this time in Shili Fangfei, there are more than 50 kinds of flowers in bloom that I can name. The most abundant are hydrangeas, and the variety here is Endless Summer – the name is as beautiful as the flowers, full of reverie.

So poetic, so dreamy.

Take a swing on this trendy swing.

The flowers in Shili Fangfei bloom especially lushly and the grass grows especially thick because on the island called Xunmei Zhu there is a little temple, Huashen Temple. All living things in Shili Fangfei are blessed by the flower deity. Go to Huashen Temple and worship the flower god, then at the Wishing Pavilion next door, make a wish and pray for blessings.

Huashen Hall – does it look a bit familiar? Ah, this is the Life Archives from Running Man!

Shili Zhou Village Hall is also the main restaurant of the village, the Villagers’ Canteen. The spatial design is exceptionally striking.

Encountering the hydrangeas again, otherworldly beauty.

As night fell, I had dinner at the Villagers’ Canteen and tasted this season's plum wine.

Worry not about being in a wetland village and being unable to order takeaway – the Villagers’ Canteen at Shili Fangfei has an extensive menu, the food is delicious, and portions are generous.

I ordered stir-fried beef, braised chicken feet, stir-fried shrimp, duck soup, and stir-fried eggplant.

A jug of wine among flowers, several dishes brimming with color, aroma, and taste – such a wonderful evening!

Breakfast at the Villagers’ Canteen is equally sumptuous: West Lake lotus root starch, fried eggs, sausages, grilled bacon, wontons, rice porridge, bread, fruit, coffee... full of energy.

If the pictures aren't enough, I’ve prepared a one-minute hotel tour video for you.

Click play and watch, the video is even more exciting.