Lonely Planet Review

This old government-run place was until recently the best lodging in Wuzhishan. The Holiday Inn has taken that crown, but this 'resort' still takes the cake when it comes to character - it's a truly memorable experience.

Situated in a green and quiet location on the south-eastern fringe of this university hill town, the first thing you'll notice is the staff uniforms. Those micro-mini skirts in the loud colours are inspired by the local Li minority people, though we certainly didn't see anything that short in the Li villages we visited. The Li and Miao (Hmong) theme extends to the rooms, with a rustic rattan feel complementing the thoroughly Chinese hard beds. The hotel is famous for having the best swimming pool in town, but it's the fishing pool that we loved. You can hire a rod, grab a beer and sit in the special little shelters around the edge before celebrating your catch with a dose of KTV in the karaoke lounge. The Wuzhishan Resort Hotel is not that luxurious, but it is a wonderful Chinese experience that's good value for the money.