Stay here in Zhangjiajie! The fairyland homestay in the mountains and waters is absolutely amazing

Don’t stay in the city center when you come to Zhangjiajie! We discovered a pastoral secret hidden next to the National Forest Park. Open the window to see the mountains, sleep under the stars—this is the true way to experience Wulingyuan. The location is incredible! It’s right on the hillside outside the Zimugang ticket gate of the National Forest Park. Just drive up and turn a corner, and the view opens up. The entrance faces Shengtian Reservoir, with the layered peak forests of Baofeng Mountain in the distance and lush green rice paddies nearby. In the early morning, you might catch a pastoral scene of farmers herding cattle. There are over 20,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic centimeter; a deep breath fills you with the fresh scent of plants—truly a "natural oxygen bar club." It’s super convenient for self-driving, only about a half-hour drive from the city, and the homestay can arrange pick-up and drop-off. Chinese aesthetics at every step The entire homestay looks like it grew out of the landscape! The main building and treehouse are built along the mountain slope. The courtyard is full of hydrangeas, marguerites, and ivy. Green willows hang by the pond, small bridges and flowing water hide in the bamboo forest—every snapshot looks like a classical Chinese painting. The hand-painted "Six-foot Alley" and "Sawing" murals on the walls add a rich cultural touch in the details. There are 17 rooms, each with a poetic name like "Xiaoxiang," "Huanlian," and "Zhushi," which sound elegant. We stayed in the Loft family room called "Shuying," which was a wonderful surprise. The loft stairs kept the kids entertained, and the hanging chair and tea table on the balcony were my favorites. Sitting there drinking tea while watching the distant terraced fields and lake view, I could daydream all afternoon. The floor-to-ceiling windows are amazing—you can lie in bed and see the mountains, and waking up to birdsong in the morning is so healing! Taste the flavors of Western Hunan As a foodie, I have to rave about the food here! The breakfast rice noodles are specially supplied from Yongshun, with a chewy and smooth texture. They come with duck meat sauce prepared by the owner starting at 4 a.m. The meat aroma made through 18 steps is legendary—many guests get up early just to grab some. The fried eggs are crispy outside, tender inside, soaked with broth, and paired with several side dishes, it’s incredibly satisfying. For dinner, you must order the Tujia smoked meat hotpot, which is served to honored guests during the New Year. Combined with fresh local seasonal vegetables, the authentic Hunan flavor is perfect with rice. You can dine indoors or outdoors, and eating hotpot while facing the mountain view creates an unbeatable atmosphere! Nearby activities: 1. Deep tour of the Forest Park: The Zimugang entrance is right outside the door, so you can avoid the morning rush. The owner can help plan routes, and places like Bailong Elevator and Baizhang Gorge are very close. 2. Slow time at the homestay: During the day, you can row boats or fish in the pond (coming soon). In autumn, you can pick wild kiwis on the back mountain. In the evening, stroll along the rice field ridges and see rapeseed or pear blossoms forming a sea of flowers, then fall asleep to the sound of insects at night. 3. Local flavors: You can walk to nearby Hunan cuisine restaurants or ask the homestay for ingredients to cook yourself, all fresh mountain flavors. After staying here for two nights, I truly understood the feeling of "long trapped in a cage, finally returning to nature." Waking up to birdsong, opening the curtains to see the sunrise over the mountains—this experience of living with the scenery as everyday life will be remembered for a long time. 🏠 Zhangjiajie Shuimu Xiaoxiang Holiday Homestay [RoundNails] Shengtian Reservoir, Chaqiyu Village, Xiehe Township, Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie