A few days ago, I posted about a hidden gem homestay in Fuzhou called Yinshi, and everyone liked it. I suddenly remembered the Mosu Homestay I visited last year, which is also very unique, and I'd like to recommend it to you all here. [Congratulate][Congratulate][Congratulate]
My itinerary started in Nanning, Guangxi. First, I visited Bama and stayed at the Junlan on Cifu Lake (interested friends can check my previous post), then I went to Haokun Lake. That afternoon, I drove about 2.5 hours from Haokun Lake, passing through country roads between karst peaks and streets filled with dust from several cement plants [Akward][Akward][Akward]. I was really worried I had made a mistake, but finally, after passing through an ordinary small town, just as I was leaving it, I encountered Mosu without any warning [Like]. Mosu Lakeside is right by the water, with simple white walls, unassuming and quiet, feeling as if it has merged with the lake view, like it grew out of this ink wash painting. If you think "viral homestays" only exist in Erhai, Dali, this place will likely redefine what a "hidden gem" is for you.
Arrival: Getting to know a lake through a homestay
Once the car stopped and I opened the door, the lake breeze, carrying moisture and the crisp scent of plants, rushed towards me. There are no commercial streets or neon lights around (really, there's nothing, and food delivery isn't easy to order; if it weren't for Mosu, this town wouldn't really be worth visiting), just the sound of the lake gently lapping against the shore. This "remoteness" is precisely the result of Quyang Lake not being overdeveloped. The lake itself is a free scenic area, quiet and serene, with a much lower tourist density than Guilin or Erhai. Mosu is built near the dam, just tens of meters from the lake cruise pier, so you can tour Quyang Lake right after stepping out.
Room: Lying in bed, the lake is right before your eyes
Lake-view rooms are this homestay's biggest selling point. We booked one "Ink Wash 180° Lake-View Bathtub King Room" and one "Floating Light 180° Lake-View Twin Room" in advance. Both start at 35 sqm, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the entire lake. In the morning, you don't even need to get up; just pull back the curtains, and the karst peaks and lake water are framed right there. Overall, the rooms are spacious, clean, and tidy, with an aesthetically pleasing decor style that's great for photos. This year, the homestay added a floor, including an 80 sqm "Ink Dye 360° Rotating Round Bed Lake-View Bathtub Room" with a giant projection screen, perfect for those who want more space and a sense of ceremony. The overall room prices aren't expensive; basic lake-view rooms are around 1,000, offering quite high value for money.
In terms of hardware, the whole house is smart, with smart toilets, blackout curtains, and TV screen casting all included, and the bathroom has a dry/wet separation. A reminder: the floor-to-ceiling windows can be quite sunny on summer afternoons, so it's recommended to close the curtains at noon and turn on the air conditioning in advance.
First-floor lobby: Quyang Lake's "natural photo studio"
The first-floor lobby is the liveliest part of the entire homestay and is a recognized photo spot in the Quyang Lake area. The dining room, bar, and cafe are integrated, extending from the indoors to the lakeside balcony, as if the entire lake has been pulled into the house. (You can check out the photos I attached; every casual shot is a blockbuster.)
The balcony is rarely empty during the day, and every angle is a photo spot. With the lake and mountains as a backdrop, just place a coffee cup on the table, and any casual shot turns into a great photo. I saw online reviews where travel bloggers listed this as the "number one photo spot" at Quyang Lake. If you aren't rushing your itinerary, ordering a coffee and sitting on the balcony watching the clouds drift between the peaks is worth the price of admission. Describing it as something "no girl can refuse" is really not an exaggeration.
Sunset dinner: On the balcony, eating while watching the sky change colors
Having the homestay arrange a dinner on the balcony (be sure to communicate in advance, as the balcony isn't large, and if you communicate too late, there won't be any spots left) is the most worthwhile thing to do here. The evening light starts to soften, and the lake surface slowly turns from blue-green to gold, then transitions to pink and purple. The homestay will deliver the meal to the balcony at the agreed time. The mantis shrimp, lake fish, small lake shrimp, and vegetables here are all good. The dishes look comfortable, and the taste is home-style—not stunning, but paired with the scenery before you, what you eat becomes less important.
If you want something more flavorful, you can communicate with the owner in advance about local ways of preparing river seafood. The fish and shrimp in Quyang Lake are of good quality, so steaming or simple seasoning is enough. The point isn't the food, but where that table is placed. (The homestay has a menu you can choose from; the prices aren't expensive. The homestay goes to the market every day to purchase fresh ingredients to treat everyone. Also, if something isn't on the menu, you can ask the owner, and they will try their best to find a way [Smart].)
Boat tour: Rent a boat for 100 yuan and put yourself in the painting
Early the next morning, I asked the owner to help arrange a Quyang Lake boat tour. The pier is right next to the homestay. A villager's boat costs about 100 yuan; if you share a boat, it's only a few dozen yuan per person, which is extremely cost-effective. The boat trip takes about one to two hours, slowly weaving between the karst islands. The water is clear, the mountains are quiet, and occasionally you can see egrets flying up from the shore, with fishing villages and terraced fields passing by. That quiet and peaceful atmosphere is truly intoxicating. (You can check out the attached pictures; it's really photogenic on the lake.)
Unlike the official large cruise boats, the villagers' boats offer more freedom; you can stop wherever you want, and it feels like you've chartered the entire lake. Setting off in the early morning is best; the lake surface hasn't been fully lit by the sun yet, thin mist clings to the foot of the mountains, and sitting at the bow of the boat feeling the breeze—that kind of quiet is hard to fully capture in words.
Service and some practical reminders
The homestay's service is the kind that has a human touch. The staff are very patient when helping with photos. Someone proactively helps carry luggage, and there is someone at the front desk 24 hours a day. If you need to communicate something last minute, it's also quite flexible—it's all about being friendly and casual!
Things you need to know in advance: Breakfast is relatively simple—a single plate with a few breakfast items, mainly porridge, eggs, and small snacks. The variety of the breakfast could definitely be improved. There is no food delivery nearby, so dining basically relies on the homestay or a few nearby country restaurants. It is recommended to communicate your dining arrangements with the homestay in advance.
Summary
Quyang Lake is not a place that wins by "attraction density." Its goodness lies in the fact that the mountains, water, and quiet are all in the right places. Mosu Lakeside happens to have grown in this exact spot—it turned the lake into part of the room, the balcony into a dining table, and the pier into a "turn left when you go out" convenience. If what you want is a short vacation where you don't rush, don't check off tourist spots, and just soak in the scenery, this place is unlikely to disappoint you.
I feel this homestay is suitable for couples, best friends, people who want to take photos and relax, and short-term vacationers willing to pay for the scenery. It is not recommended for those who pursue a rich nightlife or have high requirements for breakfast standards and surrounding commercial facilities. The best way to experience it: Stay for one night, arrive on the first afternoon, have afternoon tea, relax and experience the homestay's scenery, have dinner on the balcony at sunset, and then chat with friends and talk about everything under the sun. The next morning, when there are fewer people, take a boat to tour Quyang Lake, and after getting ashore, order a coffee and continue your journey [Awesome][Awesome][Awesome]