Trip Overview
When: June (summer escape from Beijing's heat)
Duration: 2 Days
Travelers: Family with kids
Budget: 1,380-1,980 RMB per room (~$190-275 USD)
Location: Huairou (怀柔), Beijing (北京) - northernmost district of the capital
Why This Place?
Beijing's summer heat is no joke - we're talking 35°C+ (95°F) and stifling humidity. When the city feels like an oven, you need a plan. Enter Xianglin Su (项林宿), a Manchu-style homestay nestled in the northern reaches of Huairou District, where summer temperatures hover at a refreshing 23°C (73°F). Think of it as nature's air conditioning with cultural charm.
The name Xianglin Su tells the story: "宿于项栅子" (stay in Xiangzhazi) and "眠于林间水畔" (sleep among the forests and waters). The homestay sits in Changshibaying (长哨营) Xiangzhazi Village, one of the "Eight Banners" Manchu cultural new villages - specifically the Zhenglan Banner (正蓝旗) village. The owner, with over a decade in the food and beverage industry, returned to simpler, more authentic rural life to share with friends.
The Rooms: 8 Unique Manchu-Themed Accommodations
With 8 different room types, Xianglin Su offers a "most Manchu" experience possible. The three-story space includes a basement level packed with entertainment options - you literally don't need to leave the property for a full weekend of fun.
Step into the grand lobby and traditional Chinese elegance hits you immediately. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, while exquisite wall carvings draw your eye at every turn. Every piece of furniture and decoration was personally selected by the owner from across China - all to create the most authentic Manchu experience.
Paintings radiate Manchu culture, antique wood carvings seem to freeze time in their details, and royal-style ornaments and decorations complete the atmosphere. As part of the Zhenglan Banner village, every corner of Xianglin Su reflects Manchu heritage.
Chuyun (初云) - Family Loft: The top pick for families! This vibrant, playful亲子loft features unique double-height design giving the living room massive space. The second floor, crafted in warm wood tones, is a kids' paradise with fishing toys, building blocks, picture books, and musical xylophones - even adults can't resist joining the fun.
Room: 1BR, 1 Living Room, 1 Bathroom
Capacity: 6-8 guests
Beds: Tatami 4m*2m + 3.5m*2m
Price: Weekdays 1,380 RMB, Weekends 1,680 RMB, Holidays 1,980 RMB (~$190-275 USD)
Jinmo (锦墨) - Elegant Loft: Deep wood tones paired with blue ink colors distinguish this loft from Chuyun at first glance. The ink wash paintings on walls and three-dimensional corner eaves add scholarly elegance. The sofa嵌入式于楼梯下 (embedded under the stairs) on the first floor offers private TV-watching nooks, while the two spacious tatami beds on the second floor satisfy friends wanting late-night chats.
Room: 1BR, 1 Living Room, 2 Bathrooms
Capacity: 6-8 guests
Beds: Tatami 5m*2m + 3.5m*2m
Price: Weekdays 1,380 RMB, Weekends 1,680 RMB, Holidays 1,980 RMB (~$190-275 USD)
HuaMu (华沐) - Family Loft: Same layout as Jinmo but with unique decorations, HuaMu focuses on Manchu artifacts display. The lattice cabinet's ornaments, brocade-lined storage boxes, blue-and-white porcelain patterns on walls, and colorful lacquer antique cabinets show the owner's passion - this isn't just a place to sleep.
All three lofts feature two spacious tatami beds on the second floor, perfect for multiple families or small team retreats.
Yinshuang (吟霜) - Tatami Twin Room: Push open the door and the famous poem "Lonely boat, straw-cloaked fisherman, alone fishing in the freezing river" (孤舟蓑笠翁，独钓寒江雪) may echo in your mind. The blue ink wash covering two walls expresses this poem's essence perfectly. The unique circular design serves as both lighting and a moon reflecting flying southbound geese - sleeping here, even your dreams must be beautiful.
Room: 1BR, 2 Double Beds
Capacity: 2 Adults + 1 Child
Beds: 1.6m*2m x 2
Price: Weekdays 680 RMB, Weekends 798 RMB, Holidays 1,180 RMB (~$95-165 USD)
Wangxiang (望湘) - Terrace Twin Room: Elegant plum blossoms, fresh blue-green colors, and subtle incense create a bright and serene atmosphere. It shares a second-floor terrace with Yuexi (月夕), perfect for gathering on a clear day to enjoy views and chat.
Room: 1BR, 2 Double Beds
Capacity: 2 Adults + 1 Child
Beds: 1.6m*2m x 2
Price: Weekdays 980 RMB, Weekends 1,180 RMB, Holidays 1,480 RMB (~$135-205 USD)
Shujing (舒敬) - Classical King Room: Confucius said: "When the heart is solemn, the body is at ease; when the heart is respectful, the appearance is dignified." This impressive king room gives a grand, comfortable feeling at first glance - canopy beds, yellow-brown curtains, ancient-style gourd-shaped bedside lamps... everywhere reveals Qing Dynasty noble气息.
Room: 1BR, 1 King Bed
Capacity: 2 Adults + 1 Child
Beds: 2m*2m
Price: Weekdays 980 RMB, Weekends 1,180 RMB, Holidays 1,480 RMB (~$135-205 USD)
Yuexi (月夕) - Terrace King Room: Meaning "moonlit night," this room features sky blue, lake blue, and deep sea blue as main colors. Sunlight streams through windows, gradually illuminating the blue within, finally reflecting on the opposite wall's delicate fish playing among lotus painting - adding poetic interest.
Room: 1BR, 1 King Bed
Capacity: 2 Adults + 1 Child
Beds: 2m*2m
Price: Weekdays 980 RMB, Weekends 1,180 RMB, Holidays 1,480 RMB (~$135-205 USD)
Tingxue (听雪) - Tatami King Room: Also a tatami bed type, but with wooden beam dividers, storage cabinets, and tea tables, it's more Chinese and gentle. Beyond the side door is a private small terrace - gently swaying in a lounge chair while waiting for summer evenings, wishing for peaceful years.
Room: 1BR, 1 King Bed
Capacity: 2 Adults + 1 Child
Beds: 2m*2m
Price: Weekdays 980 RMB, Weekends 1,180 RMB, Holidays 1,480 RMB (~$135-205 USD)
The thoughtful owner invested heavily in bathrooms - heated smart toilets, makeup mirrors with backlights and quick defog functions bring premium comfort. And because they're deep in the mountains, they use water from the village's spring - excellent quality mineral water you can safely drink!
Entertainment: Manchu Culture & Endless Fun
Manchu costume photo ops, tea rooms,汗蒸室 (steam room), KTV, meeting rooms, chess/card rooms, outdoor games, vegetable picking... every leisure method you want is here! Perfect for summer family gatherings, company team retreats - eat, drink, play, sleep all in one place!
Manchu Costume Experience: As a homestay in a Manchu cultural village, how could traditional Manchu costume try-on be missing? The lobby thoughtfully prepares many Manchu costumes - for both children and adults, including旗头 (Manchu headdresses), clothes, fans, and flower-pot shoes (花盆底鞋) - complete sets for fun-loving friends to do a time-travel photoshoot. One set of magnificent clothing instantly makes you graceful and lovely!
Tea Tasting with Friends: From first to second floor, there are 3 tea tasting areas, separated by display cabinets, wooden partitions, and green plants - even sitting next to strangers feels no awkwardness. The free tea sets and quality tea in the tea room are also carefully selected by the owner!
Professional KTV / Movie Theater / Meeting Room - One-Click Switch: Where there are friends, how can singing be absent? The multi-function hall on the basement level has professional sound and projection equipment with excellent soundproofing. When the disco lights turn on, the atmosphere instantly rises - singing to your heart's content while not worrying about disturbing others' sleep!
Besides KTV, the projector and long tables can instantly switch to meeting mode accommodating about 30 people.
Chess/Card Room: Next to the KTV is another group of friends' happy land - the chess/card room. On summer nights, enjoy unlimited fun with friends around an electric mahjong table or regular card table.
Steam Room: They say summer is the best time to treat winter illnesses. Seize this rare opportunity to properly expel cold and dampness in the crystal-surrounded steam room!
Forest Trail Hiking: Staying at Xianglin Su means staying in an exclusive forest secret. West of the homestay, a 5-kilometer road leads directly to the mountain forest - eye-catching green, pure air. Relax your body in this oxygen-overdose forest and give your heart a peaceful place.
The roadside flowers and plants, recently emerged little insects - when we slow our steps, we can receive nature's infinite gifts. Taking kids to explore the forest will absolutely amaze them!
Vegetable Base Picking: Staying at Xianglin Su also means you can pick organic, pollution-free fresh vegetables in the owner's self-built vegetable greenhouse - many ingredients for the homestay's cuisine also come from here. Summer vegetables are plentiful: water spinach, ice lettuce, cucumbers, green beans... a patch of lush green, delicious and worry-free to eat, fun and novel to pick!
Manchu-Style Game Experience: Not far from the homestay, the village's flat and less-crowded basketball and football fields provide an excellent team-building venue for visitors!
Game Experience - Attack & Defense Arrow: Based on archery which was most prevalent in the Qing Dynasty Manchu culture, the homestay evolved this exciting attack-defense arrow game - grabbing arrows, rock cover, attacking... two teams battle it out!
Game Experience - Outdoor Pitch Pot & Archery: A few hundred meters west of the homestay, the homestay's exclusive expansion base surrounded by colorful tires also offers fun - the Manchu pitch pot and archery testing eye and arm strength cannot be missed! For team building, the homestay can also provide professional and fun "Wild Boar Is Coming" large expansion activity planning! Of course, there are also small expansion facilities for kids to run wild and have fun!
Must-Try: Non-Heritage Inheritor's Manchu Cuisine
When it comes to food, Xianglin Su, which started in the food and beverage industry, treats guests' three daily meals with absolutely the highest standards and quality. The 200-square-meter super kitchen and restaurant accommodating 100 guests simultaneously - from dishes to service, everything satisfies guests' needs.
Royal, elegant, noble-quality private rooms let you and friends and family privately enjoy a food feast.
The owner's mother even received non-material cultural heritage inheritor certification for her unique "Cypress Wood Smoked Meat" (柏木熏肉)! Imagine the deliciousness!
The "Erba Xi" (二八席) evolved from Manchu cuisine - 16 dishes (8 plates + 8 pots) presented at once, almost each dish originating from a story, and the preparation is also particular! Coming to the Manchu village, how can you not follow the local customs and taste the owner's secret homemade dishes with over a decade of dining experience!
Red scissors meat (红剪子肉), mushroom stewed free-range chicken (蘑菇炖柴鸡), bacon with green beans (腊肉豆角), cypress wood smoked meat (柏木熏肉)... because they have their own dedicated supply base, ingredients are all high standard! For vegetarian dishes, you must try the special tofu balls and delicious ice lettuce - absolutely a taste bud feast!
The steaming hot health hot pot (养生火锅) must also be arranged! First eat the vegetables in the pot, then cook various fresh ingredients - the most magical thing about this hot pot is the broth. The hints of spicy, numbing, and sour permeate the ingredients as they boil, while the ingredients' various flavors also blend with the broth at this time - so the taste becomes more and more rich and mellow as you go, endlessly intriguing!
The famous homemade oil cake (油饼) is often eaten clean by foodies who come specifically for it! The diverse breakfast buffet is enough for a day's nutrition needs. Millet pancakes, fried glutinous rice balls, steamed corn, boiled sweet potatoes... dazzling variety of staple foods, you might not be able to try them all!
Nearby Attractions
Laba Valley Primitive Forest (喇叭沟原始森林): A 1-hour drive from Xianglin Su, Laba Valley Primitive Forest Scenic Area is the only primitive forest natural scenic area in Beijing, with very high negative oxygen ion content. There are countless wonderful plants and animals, the only summer glacier in Beijing, and birch forests that can only be seen in Siberia. In summer here, you can see colorful wild flowers everywhere, and hear the sounds of deer, wild rabbits, pheasants, and birds - avoiding the heat while full of wild fun.