Tujia Yushang Shanjian Homestay Hotel: A Village Culture in the Memories of Jiaodong People

Dongmaiyao Village is not big, but when you come, you'll find it's not like the typical northern village: clean streets, flowers all along, a gurgling stream, excessively peaceful. It's hard to distinguish tourists from local villagers. The unique connection between Laoshan and the old city creates a place that feels like a village yet not quite a village. The indigenous villagers are also urbanites.

This homestay on Tujia gives many Jiaodong people memories of their hometown. I think this is what an all-in-one scenic area should be like.

All-region tourism has become a new model for ancient villages. Tourists want to trace roots in ancient villages while also hoping for an urban-like living atmosphere. Balancing these hopes and expectations is very difficult.

How much authenticity can an ancient village have if all its villagers are driven away? Tourists come to experience local culture, but if they only see a renovated homestay area filled with outside merchants, what's the point?

Upon first entering Dongmaiyao Village, I found it truly small. The Yushang Shanjian Homestay Hotel is at the innermost part of the village, nestled at the foot of the mountain, the highest point of the entire village. From here, you can overlook the whole village while staying away from the noisy crowds.

The homestay's architectural style adopts garden design, with buildings arranged in a staggered layout, complete with pavilions, waterside pavilions, gardens, and hot spring pools. Built along the mountain, yet without disharmony, it integrates the entire atmosphere into a kind of...

All 26 rooms of Yushang Shanjian are connected by local mountain spring water pools. One water, one courtyard; each step a different view. Stepping on cobblestone paths into the mountain dwelling, the adjacent pool has many fish raised, a harmonious unity between man and nature. The architecture is neat and elegant, very suitable for quiet recuperation.

But what I like most is that generations of villagers still live here. They follow old customs, washing clothes in the stream, and elderly people cool off at the village entrance. The small square in the village becomes a great place for villagers to enjoy the cool evening air every night. The atmosphere here is full of life, offering a moment of tranquility to travelers usually tainted by noise.

Here, tourists are influenced by the locals' tranquility, rather than the locals being disturbed by tourists' clamor.

It is said that some rooms have private hot spring pools, some have large bathtubs, and you can look outside from the room. So whether inside or outside, it's a unique experience.

Because I went with family, we stayed in a triple room: one big bed and one tatami. The room is very suitable for multi-person families, with user-friendly design.

What's even more commendable is that it's just across a road from the seaside. So coming here, you can not only enjoy the beauty of Laoshan but also play at the seaside—killing two birds with one stone, mountains and sea in harmony.

And it's easy to find by car; you can locate it correctly using map navigation. More importantly, there is a large parking lot next to it, so you don't have to worry about coming back late and having nowhere to park your beloved car.

The only regret is that when I went, the hotel was undergoing gas pipeline maintenance and could not provide meals.

Convenience Index: ★★★★★

Environment Index: ★★★★★

Hygiene Index: ★★★★★

Transportation Index: ★★★★★

Comfort Index: ★★★★★