In Ninghai, Zhejiang, I found a real-life version of the Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz

If the Emerald City from the fairy tales truly exists, then the Anlan Hotel in Ninghai is probably the closest place to it. It is a luxurious resort hotel that occupies a tranquil mountain forest. Being friends with the small animals in the forest and eating the seasonal produce from the mountains, every Chinese person has a dream of retreating to the mountain forests. 【Transportation】 Take the high-speed train to Ninghai Station, and a taxi ride of over 20 minutes will get you to the hotel. The moment you step into the hotel lobby, you're greeted with a burst of greenery, a scene of spring warmth and bright scenery. The concierge will arrange for a car to take guests and their luggage to their rooms, with very thoughtful service. 【Environment】 If you were to call the hotel a scenic spot, it would be quite fitting. There is beautiful natural scenery, as well as many recreational facilities. Not far from the hotel lobby is the verdant lake, with picturesque views and clear water quality. Visitors can feed ducks by the lake, stroll through the woods, breathe in the scent of flowers, and the air in the forest has a sweet taste. 【Dining】 Lunch at Nanxi Pavilion, the hotel's restaurant, where Ninghai's local seafood noodles are a must-try. Ninghai, a city by the sea, has a variety of unique small seafood, and the hotel's bowl of seafood noodles is particularly rich. Various seafood is the absolute star, served in a large bowl full of crabs, razor clams, shrimp, small yellow fish, etc., all emitting an enticing aroma. What's more important is the carefully simmered soup, which is light on the palate but rich in flavor, leaving a lasting impression. Dinner is still at Nanxi Pavilion, tasting the small seafood set meal. Mainly local small seafood and seasonal vegetables, it is light and fresh. It's slightly more than enough for two people, and should be sufficient for a family of three. The final dessert is made with peach gum, which is rarely found elsewhere. Breakfast is a buffet, also very rich, with both Chinese and Western dishes available, and the dried vegetable pancake is very characteristic of the local area. When the weather is fine, have a camping picnic on the lawn outside the restaurant, which is also the life state I most aspire to. 【Rooms】 The hotel's rooms are built along the mountain, giving every guest the feeling of living in the forest. The busy life state in the city can quickly switch to a 'relaxed feeling' automatically. Sitting on the hotel balcony, brewing a cup of tea, listening to the wind, the birdsong, looking at the greenery, watching the clouds flow. The room type I stayed in this time is called 'Mountain View Residence', which is a two-story villa. The first floor is a huge living room, with an extra-large balcony, where getting close to nature is the best choice. The second floor has two bedrooms, one with a large bed and one with twin beds, each room has a bathtub and advanced bathroom facilities. This bathtub is very special, as the water that flows out of the tap is the pure natural Nanxi hot spring, allowing you to enjoy a private hot spring experience in your room. 【Experience Activities】 The hotel's infinity pool, due to its high aesthetic value, naturally becomes a popular spot for social media check-ins. A pool of clear water is surrounded by forests, and there's even a transparent little boat in the pool, which is the finishing touch. The water is quite cold now and it's not the swimming season yet, so the little boat has become a prop for many guests to take photos. Have a tipsy time tea set by the poolside, quietly enjoying the tranquil time in the forest. The hotel's hot springs are divided into indoor and outdoor sections, each with a large soaking pool. I especially like the outdoor soaking pool, surrounded by dense green trees, giving a very close-to-nature feeling. At the Anlan Hotel in Ninghai, you can experience horseback riding, riding on horseback under the guidance of a professional instructor, feeling the life of nomadic tribes, at that moment full of pride and galloping across the world. Pottery is also a popular experience for many people. There is a professional pottery teacher to guide you, turning a lump of clay into exquisite ceramic products. The hotel also offers spa services, removing the fatigue of busy city life.