The Bivou Hotel in Lijiang

Excellent location, quiet and comfortable, close to nature, and very convenient. The breakfast and dinner were great, and the small animals were very friendly. It's the kind of B&B I love, and I'll definitely stay there again.

If you're looking to stay in Shuhe, this is the place. It felt less like a tourist trip and more like living there. The guesthouse has its own botanical garden with so many plants – holly ferns, begonias, succulents, hydrangeas, taro – a plant lover's dream! They also have a vegetable garden with peppers, eggplants, lettuce, scallions, and herbs. The auntie uses these to make chili sauce, jams, and salads. Outside the restaurant window, there's a tree with peanuts on it, and little squirrels would eat there while a cat watched from below. Since the owner is from Singapore, besides local rice noodles, the menu also features some international flavors like Bak Kut Teh and spaghetti bolognese. Breakfast is a delightful mix of Chinese and Western dishes, including steamed banana cake, pancakes, and malt porridge – absolutely delicious! The auntie would thoroughly clean our room after we left. Everyone at the guesthouse was so friendly. I absolutely loved it here!

Good location at ShuHe ancient town, very friendly owner. Provide luggage pick up and drop off during our stay. Nice breakfast. Located near north entrance, around 30 mins walk. One downside is at night the way back to the hostel a bit dark, but just a very short distance walk. Highly recommended!

The hotel has a great ambiance, and the service was excellent and very thoughtful. I didn't have to touch my luggage at all; the hotel staff handled everything. The only minor drawback is that the hotel facilities are a bit dated. For a hotel of this caliber, especially with so many international guests, having Dyson hairdryers should be standard, not just 'Laifen'. It was a bit humid, and there was some mold near the sink. However, other aspects of the sanitation were indeed very good. The facilities are probably due for an upgrade. A big plus is that the hotel staff always took off their shoes when entering the room.

The facilities are a bit dated, but the service is truly the best I've experienced among all the hotels and B&Bs I've stayed at. The hygiene and attention to detail are excellent, and the staff are all genuinely warm and enthusiastic. Plus, there's a beautiful courtyard and adorable cats!

I absolutely loved the Bivou. Large and comfortable room, fantastic location immersed in greenery and yet right in the center of Shuhe old town. What made the most difference was the staff: sweet, caring and welcoming. We felt always cared for and pampered. Oh and the 2 property cats were absolutely adorable.

Really lovely hotel. A nice hidden gem in in the Shuhe old town. The hotel is surrounded by herb gardens. We really enjoyed coming back here for a second stay

The owner is super adorable, and the ladies there are all very friendly, quiet, and really make their presence felt.

Tucked away in an alley of Shuhe Ancient Town, this hotel offers a peaceful, relaxing, and private sanctuary. It truly embodies a return to authenticity and nature. During check-in, the staff meticulously explained every facility and function in the room, showing great attentiveness in their service. For breakfast, you have the choice of rice noodles or an English breakfast. The hotel also boasts a high occupancy rate.

What an amazing getaway! If you are more into nature and culture....THIS IS YOUR SPOT! It is tucked away inside Shuhe Old Town but you would never know. Once you get there, it is quiet. They are very proud to show you their gardens, their squirrels (they are well provided for), their cats, and what they truly enjoy. We were welcomed with drinks, fruit, and delicious buckwheat bread while we were introduced to the dining area and the movie and games area. Their menu is wonderful. Breakfast is provided and has a set menu of Asian versus Western (i had French toast one morning and pancakes the next) and then an extra section where you can also have yogurt with toppings, fruits, breads, coffee, etc. Other meals are ordered from the menu. The variety is wonderful and the taste and quality are worth it. After traveling throughout China for a few weeks, I really just wanted a burger. The Yak burger was amazing! WARNING: once you pick it up for the first bite, you must commit to it. There is no putting it down. My hands were just a joyous mix of meat juice, cheese dripping, pickle juice, egg dripping....luckily there is a restroom right there to wash up after. Our room was very cute, small, odd, but it worked for us and you could tell it would be cozy come the snow seasons-which we will return for. The odd part was the steps that lead down into the bathroom. I thought, oooo how fun! Not so much in the middle of the night if you are not used to it. But not all rooms have that so don't let that discourage you from enjoying this place. If you are finished walking Shuhe Old Town, there are more options. We decided to walk around the back of the garden. Following the trail, we wound up in a very beautiful park with water and bridges and places to sit. Eventually, we came out at one of the ends of Shuhe. Again, you would never have known because there was no interrupting noises to tell you otherwise. One of the days we took Didi to Baisha Old Town. Another must go! We spent a full day there and still did not finish. Even the rain didn't stop everyone from enjoying everything. Make sure you find the silk art school. It is tucked away but they have a wonderful program. I could do an entire blog on their contributions and empowerment for women but for now, just go enjoy and buy something, support them. Overall, we loved this place and will go back. We were not able to enjoy the mountain this time.