Arriving at the Qianfan Hotel in Chengdu, I was hooked by several tags such as "Wenshu Fang B6-6 Courtyard", "Buddhist Zen Culture", and "SLH Style Boutique Inn", and finally landed in this double well old courtyard in Qingyang District - Buddha Zen Hotel Chengdu. Exit K at Wenshuyuan Station on Metro Line 1 for about 5 minutes, then turn into an alley. Inside, you'll find a vermilion carved wooden door with a small screen, instantly transitioning from the hustle and bustle of the city to a different rhythm.
Pushing the door first creates a contrast: the lobby is not particularly magnificent, with wooden works, calligraphy and paintings, a small Buddha statue, and a 24-hour front desk on duty. When checking in, mineral water and a map of the Wenshu Fang flow were handed over. Only by truly staying in can one understand the core of this' accommodation experience '- it is not a design hotel created with hardware, but rather a room that incorporates' Zen' through spatial scale, material temperature, and attention to detail.
I live in a Zen Yue big bed (with a balcony), about 20 square meters, with solid wood furniture, rattan elements, and a small tea table by the window. White tea and jasmine tea are real tea leaves, not tea bags. The kettle makes a gurgling sound, and outside the balcony, there are gray tiles of Western Sichuan residential buildings. Listening to dripping water from the eaves on rainy days is actually more healing than using a white noise app. The bedding is relatively thick and provides sufficient support, with thorough blackout curtains. After closing the window, the night sound of Wenshu Lane can be suppressed, and people who sleep lightly can rest peacefully overnight; The bathroom is dry and wet separated, with ceramic faucets and complete spare parts. A hair dryer/shaver/skincare lotion is readily available, and the bathroom is also equipped with waterproof slippers. This small feature showcases the expertise of traditional boutique products. The only thing that needs to be mentally constructed in advance is that the building does not have an elevator, luggage needs to be handled at the front desk or by oneself, and some rooms facing the inner courtyard have windows facing the corridor. It is recommended to note "high floors, external windows/balconies" when booking a room.
The living experience in public areas also adds points. The Shuangjing Courtyard is the breathing port of the entire building, with a tea mat behind the screen that can be brewed by oneself or hired by staff. In the early morning, the faint fragrance of incense wafts through the corridor; Some floors have hidden small terraces that offer a distant view of the ridge line of Wenshu Monastery. Guests generally mentioned "detailed cleaning SOP" and "extremely clean bathroom". During the two night experience, the bed was turned on, tea was replenished, and the linens were changed quietly and neatly without disturbing.
Of course, we have to be honest about the shortcomings: some wooden window hardware is outdated, there are occasional sounds from the air conditioning, and some sockets are loose, which are common problems in old buildings; No washing machine and drying area, making it slightly inconvenient for long-term residents; The breakfast is a simple Congee dish+western style simple match. The variety is not rich, but the logic of "light padding stomach" makes it more comfortable to eat Sichuan food for several days.
On the morning of leaving, I sat at the tea table in the courtyard for ten minutes. The sunlight slanted through the carved lattice, and no one spoke in the courtyard. I suddenly understand why someone is willing to pay for this old courtyard - it's not selling 'new', but a feeling of being slowly supported by wood, tiles, tea, and fragrance. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle and get close to Wenshu Monastery in Chengdu next time, you are likely to return to this vermilion gate.Show more