It has been a very, very long time since I last visited Jiuxi—probably over ten years. Back then, we used to walk down the mountain from Longjing Village, which led right to a bus stop where we could catch a ride back.
This time, we drove to the area and stayed at the Millennium Resort Hangzhou, located at the foot of Jiuxi Mountain near the entrance. It’s quite rare to find free parking in a scenic area like this.
The hotel was formerly the Pingfengshan Sanatorium of the Shanghai Municipal Federation of Trade Unions. It underwent a comprehensive renovation and upgrade in 2012, was taken over by the Millennium Group for management, and opened in 2014. Having been around for over a decade now, the facilities are indeed showing their age a bit. However, the rooms are spacious, starting at 55 square meters, and come with high-end amenities, including double vanities and private balconies. Also, since it’s nestled in the mountains, there’s a chance you might encounter some small insects. The hotel restaurant is excellent and serves great food—which is fortunate, as there aren’t many other dining options nearby. It seems that the Shanghai Trade Union membership card may offer a discount here.
The hotel grounds are expansive and offer a lovely environment for a stroll. Getting to Jiuxi from the hotel is extremely convenient—just step out the back gate and you’re there.
We visited during the Qingming Festival, right in the middle of the tea harvest season. Tea farmers were busy picking leaves everywhere, making it an ideal spot for photography.
Jiuxi feels virtually unchanged from over a decade ago. Taking a leisurely walk here when the weather is mild is absolutely beautiful. I imagine it must have its own unique charm in autumn as well.
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