Where to Soak in Winter Hot Springs? Slow Living at Narada Resort & Spa Liangzhu in Hangzhou

I chanced upon Liangzhu in Hangzhou, and since then I’ve found yet another reason to adore the city.

Liangzhu Cultural Village, a little off the beaten path, sits beside the Liangzhu Ancient Civilization Ruins, representing 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, yet it brims with a modern artistic ambiance.

Some say winter is not a season for travel, but here, the winter days are so poetic and picturesque that you’ll never want to leave.

Come to Liangzhu for a slow day, and turn your days into poetry, unhurriedly.

Staying at Narada Resort & Spa Liangzhu, as if dwelling in a scroll painting

I prefer leisurely travel over ticking off attractions, so I usually choose an interesting resort hotel to while away a few idle days.

Narada Resort & Spa Liangzhu is the only five-star hotel in Liangzhu Cultural Village. Eager to laze in a hot spring pool on a chilly winter day, I chose it for its fun, beauty, and hot spring facilities!

Stepping into the hotel lobby, you’re greeted by an elegant and distinctive design: understated yet grand, with a foundation of Chinese traditional culture and a rich sense of a tropical resort. The Liangzhu jade artifacts on display infuse every detail with an ancient cultural aura.

During Christmas time, the holiday spirit fills the air everywhere.

The entire hotel is a lakeside courtyard complex, divided into ten continuous sections nestled among rolling green hills, wetlands, and lakes, harmoniously blending human design with natural ecology.

Strolling around, I was surrounded by red pines and crimson leaves everywhere—the foliage tinted golden, tangerine, and dark red... as if I had stepped into a secret paradise.

Emerald pools, white egrets skimming the sky, wild ducks playing on the lake. At the onset of early winter, the scenery is as beautiful as a scroll painting...

Watching red leaves flutter from my balcony

I stayed in a king-bed suite, around 50 to 60 square meters, quite spacious, with a living room, a bedroom, and a balcony with a view.

The dark solid-wood furniture gave off a distinct Southeast Asian vibe.

Brewing a cup of green tea in the room, I savored its lingering fragrance, and it felt as if time slowed down.

The bed was very comfortable, neither too soft nor too hard, and lying there I could see the leaves outside my window painted in all hues, as if I were embraced by nature.

What I loved most was the balcony, where I gazed at the vibrant natural scenery, bathed in sunlight, listening to birds singing. In that moment, I felt utterly calm, relaxed, and at ease.

There’s even a bathtub on the balcony—if you’re curious about what it’s like to bathe in the forest, you might want to try it yourself.

You must experience the winter hot spring pool

At Narada Resort, you absolutely must soak in the Bailu Spring hot springs. These are authentic Japanese-style pools, set amidst the meditative beauty of a Zen garden.

There are eight pools in total, each differing in shape, size, and character. The steam rising from the water curls like something out of a fairyland...

As night falls, soft amber lights come on, creating a totally different mood. The spring water soothes the body, while the landscape calms the soul.

If you crave privacy, pick a small pool; if you enjoy socializing, lie back in a larger one and chat with a couple of friends. When the conversation still isn’t done, head upstairs to the lounge, where you can continue talking over refreshments while watching TV.

Tasting signature Hangzhou cuisine at Bailu Chinese Restaurant

For dinner, we went to the hotel’s Bailu Chinese Restaurant, which offers Cantonese, Sichuan, classic Hangzhou, and local specialties. Following the waiter’s recommendations, we tried a few popular dishes: braised lamb, private-recipe tender mandarin fish, Sichuan pepper chicken, almond baby bok choy, and the Hangzhou specialty, Pian Er Chuan noodles.

A bountiful breakfast buffet

Breakfast was a buffet at the Florence Western Restaurant, with an abundant spread of both traditional Chinese dim sum and Western fare—an overwhelming range of choices.

Sipping Jingshan green tea, enjoying afternoon tea

For afternoon tea at the hotel, I specially ordered a cup of Jingshan green tea, a Hangzhou specialty, paired with little cakes and fresh fruits. Chatting with a friend all afternoon was leisurely and delightful...

Lakeside private dining rooms, meals with a view

The hotel has luxurious private dining rooms by the lake, positioned for mid- to high-end dining—perfect for business banquets, family gatherings, meeting groups, large events, and government receptions.

A wealth of leisure and entertainment—one day isn’t enough

The hotel features a gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, outdoor tennis courts, a football pitch, a basketball court, a squash court, shuffleboard, billiards, a family park, a kids’ playground, karaoke, chess and card rooms, a game arcade, a small bar, a wellness center, and a pottery bar... an incredibly comprehensive array of facilities to suit guests of all ages!

What to explore nearby?

I love Liangzhu not only for the resort but also for its surrounding artistic vibe. If you enjoy cultural creativity, cosplay, or photography, you must wander around Liangzhu casually, because even a single street here exudes a fresh, Japanese-inspired simplicity.

1. Liangzhu Cultural Art Center

This is a wonderfully artsy place, and perfect for photos! It’s one of Hangzhou’s newly trending Instagram-worthy spots, designed by master architect Tadao Ando. Its signature is fair-faced concrete architecture, rarely seen in China, and it’s nicknamed “Big Roof.” Inside, you’ll find Gao Xiaosong’s “Xiao Bookshop,” spanning two floors. Sitting by the oversized floor-to-ceiling windows, reading in the sunlight, you’ll wish time could stand still...

“Meilizhou” is a modern Chinese interpretation of “Liangzhu”—“liang” meaning good, beautiful, and “zhu” meaning a small island that can be inhabited. The Meilizhou Church is a social-media-famous photo spot, a triangular wooden structure, and often a wedding venue for newlyweds. There are also charming little cafés nearby.

This is an archaeological site museum that collects, studies, displays, and promotes Liangzhu culture, telling the story of a civilization and cultural origin that began over 5,000 years ago. Here, you can discover details of Liangzhu life like agriculture, pottery, and jade working, and view the construction of Mojiao Mountain recreated through large oil paintings, dioramas, and cross-sections of ancient city walls.

Liangyu Cultural Industry Park (Mengqi Town)

The name comes from the Liangzhu design master Shen Kuo’s “Dream Pool Essays,” signifying “a place where dreams dwell.” This is the venue for the World Industrial Design Conference, with strikingly designed buildings that are also great for photos.

Narada Resort & Spa Liangzhu

Address: Liangzhu Cultural Village, Hangzhou (near the entrance to the new National Highway 104)