Hotel Dengan Gym di Fujian, China

This place makes me wish there was an option for six stars. I study Asian art for a living, and I travelled to Jianyang to visit the home of Jian ware, classic tea bowls of the Song dynasty (960 to 1279 CE), distinguished by their black and brown glazes. Over the last few decades, firing Jian ware in the Song tradition has been revived in the area. I chose Nanping Colourful Village Homestay because it was in Jianyang, affordable, and accepted international guests. What I found was a luxury resort with all the warmth and personal attention of a homestay. I asked the front desk about an excavated Song kiln site in a nearby village, and the receptionist brought me the manager, who arranged for someone to take me the next day. My driver was Ms. Huang, an employee of the resort whose job involves buying and selling contemporary pieces. She knew everything about Jian ware! The kiln site isn’t run as a tourist site, so I was only able to view it because Ms. Huang arranged for it to be opened for me. I had told them I was vegetarian, so for lunch they took me to lunch at a vegetarian buffet. Then we visited the town’s Jian ware museum, where they have exhibits on the history of tea and Jian ware, historical pieces, and the work of contemporary Jianyang potters. To my delight, Mr. Gao, the potter-in-residence at the resort, uses a Song-style wood-fired dragon kiln, built right on the grounds! His pieces that range from beautiful but quite affordable to exquisite and appropriately expensive. They include both iridescent silvery oil spot and orange-to-black hare’s fur pieces. I am still thrilled that I was able to purchase wood-fired pieces on my limited budget. For dinner, the resort’s restaurant prepared vegetarian versions of Fujian cuisine for me. The food was all delicious, featuring classic Fujianese mountain ingredients like local bamboo and mushrooms. Then we visited Mr. Gao’s dragon kiln, and later his studio, where he experiments with different local clays and glaze recipes. The rich colours and iridescence of Jian ware are the result of the iron-rich local material fired at high temperature, and the results are as unpredictable as they are beautiful. The next day, they drove me to Mr. Chen’s family tea plantation in the mountains, where they grow famous northern Fujian teas. These fine teas were all wonderful, smooth and rich with a touch of smoke, and sometimes fruity in flavour. We strolled through mountainsides of tea bushes and visited groves of centuries-old tea trees. This is a perfect place for an immersive experience in China that is also very comfortable and convenient. I often find tourist experiences in China claustrophobic due to the press of people, but the resort was spacious and airy, and they took me to places where there was no one else but us and the occasional local going about their business. Everyone was very patient with my limited Chinese language skills. They were also happy to work with translator apps on our phones, so if you don’t speak any Chinese, you will be fine. This would be a great place to come as a family. There are gardens and rides for kids right next to the resort. You can learn how to whip Song-style tea and carve your name into the base of your own Jian ware cup. Not far away is a historical theme park with a collection of real architecture from the Ming (1368 to 1644 CE) and Qing (1636 to 1912 CE) dynasties. The employees wear period dress and there are performances and activities. Nearby there are hiking trails, historical sites, and lovely villages to visit. It’s also very close to Wuyi Mountain National Park, so it would be a perfect place to stay if the mountains are your destination. If you ask, they could arrange for you to visit famous sites or take you to breathtaking places that only locals know, whatever you want. They can also arrange transport to and from the train station or airport.

Five-star review! The room was clean and tidy, the bed was super comfortable, and the soundproofing was excellent. The staff were warm, attentive, and efficient. The breakfast had a great variety and tasted good. The location was convenient, and the facilities were complete. Overall, the experience was fantastic, making for a very comfortable stay. Definitely worth coming back!

To be honest, the room facilities are quite outdated. What's more, the setup is impractical: the hairdryer is placed too high, making it difficult to reach; there's no basket in the bathroom for dirty towels; and the fridge is completely empty. The worst part is the Wi-Fi – it's incredibly slow and constantly lags, making it impossible to even stream a show on my phone. This hotel needs to seriously improve to live up to its five-star rating. A major tourist city shouldn't have five-star hotels like this! Hope they improve!

The moment I stepped into this hotel, a good portion of my travel fatigue just melted away. The front desk staff greeted me with warm, polite smiles, and the check-in process was quick and smooth, without any unnecessary delays. I had only mentioned a preference for floral scents, and a small sprig of fresh jasmine was discreetly added next to the welcome tea and snacks.

The stay was good overall. The room was clean and comfortable, and the staff were helpful. A few small things could be improved, but it was still a pleasant experience

Excellent stay! The breakfast spread was fantastic with a wide variety of options, and I loved the self-service tea and coffee in the lobby. The hotel's location is perfect, really close to all the main attractions. The soundproofing in the room was great, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep, and everything was spotless. The front desk staff, especially the lady who helped me, was amazing – super responsive and helpful with any request. Five-star rating for sure! This will definitely be my first choice when I visit again. 😊

The room's mattress was very comfortable, the toilet was smart, and there was a smart 'Xiao Du' assistant. The room overall had a great design aesthetic, and getting around was very convenient with a subway station right nearby. There are also many dining options within 500 meters of the hotel. For this price, staying at such a hotel is excellent.

The room was clean and tidy, and the sheets and towels were all in good condition. The soundproofing was excellent, as the hotel upgraded us to a higher floor room, so we couldn't hear any outside noise. The location is super convenient, really close to the subway station and a food street, which was a big plus! The hotel staff were also very helpful and patient in explaining things. Overall, I'm very satisfied!

The location is convenient, and the hotel has a great design aesthetic. They offer a free shuttle service to the train station, and the driver was really nice. The popular beef offal noodle shop next door is delicious and affordable. Just a small heads-up: the water pressure in the shower is really strong; I'd suggest either changing the showerhead or adjusting the pressure.

I usually do not choose homestay when other modes are available. However in Yunshuiyao homestay is the only choice. Given that 1949 has to preserve the local architecture do not expect 5 star hotel facilities. For all the constraints of a ”min su” the staff do go the distance to ensure they meet the demands of guests. I checked out a happy guest and will recommend 1949 to other travelers.