The Bridge View Homestay provides a great place for travelers to relax after a busy day. The Bridge View Homestay is an ideal choice for travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Sanjiang. Sanjiang County Railway Station and Qiandongnan Liping Airport are located 18km and 67km away respectively. There's plenty to do nearby, with Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, Sanjiang Dong Folk Crafts Museum and Chengyang Eight Villages all within a short distance. At the end of a busy day, travelers can unwind and relax in the hotel or go out and enjoy the city. According to our guests, the location of this hotel is one of the best around. This hotel is particularly popular with those traveling with families.
"I was quite disappointed when I first arrived at Chengyang Eight Villages. It was a Friday, and I was told there was no 'Baijia Banquet' (Hundred Family Feast). Plus, besides us, there were no other tourists in the scenic area. I thought this trip would be incredibly boring and dull. Coming with a group of friends, I wasn't sure what we could even do, and I didn't want to spend more money on tickets for a bonfire party.
The owner of the guesthouse, Mr. Yang, recommended we book a farmhouse bonfire party. We could eat at a Dong family's home with local performances and toasts, costing about 100-200 yuan per person. Alternatively, we could eat at the guesthouse and have locals come perform, which would be cheaper.
We decided to eat at the guesthouse at 7:30 pm. After exploring three villages, it was perfect timing for dinner. The Dong sisters were already waiting for us, serving us with great enthusiasm and politeness. Everyone ate and drank to their heart's content that evening. (The guesthouse food is all homemade by the landlady, with very fresh and delicious ingredients, and the liquor is also excellent – you can try it first). We had a wonderful time with the Dong sisters; we really bonded! Their singing is truly beautiful and captivating. Even my usually reserved husband was swept up in the fun! My friend asked if we could dance, and they taught us their traditional dances.
The guesthouse rooms are spacious. We rented a twin room and a triple room (which was huge!). Our room had a view of the bridge. The guesthouse is located in Yan Village, very close to the other two villages and the Yongji Bridge (which has a very interesting and fun welcoming ceremony). My husband drank too much and managed to clog the basin, but the owner wasn't upset and unclogged it for him. The facilities in local guesthouses aren't as modern as city hotels, after all, we were staying in an ancient building. I found the room very clean, the bathroom had everything needed, and the towels had no strange odors.
The landlady also suggested we go for a traditional ethnic costume photoshoot the next morning, costing 50 yuan per person (outfit + makeup) or 30 yuan without makeup. The young lady at the ethnic costume shop was very professional and patient. There were many costume choices, and the materials were excellent. Everyone looked beautiful, and many people on the street kept taking photos with us.
Finally, my friends all had a wonderful time and were happy with their purchases. The owners also gave us discounts on souvenirs and tea (we got to sample the tea, and the recommended ones were delicious). The next day, the same Dong sisters who came last night served us lunch, and we had another delightful meal. The landlady also helped us find a 7-seater car to take our group of five to the high-speed train station (for 80 yuan).
What I initially thought would be a dull trip turned out to be the most enjoyable and relaxing part of our 7 days in Guangxi (including Yangshuo and the rice terraces)!
**Previously, due to other reviews, I had doubts about the landlady's cooking! After the landlady's repeated assurances, we decided to try the first lunch. To my surprise, the ingredients were incredibly high-quality. Even my friend who dislikes eggplant ate a lot, and I, who doesn't eat potatoes, ate quite a bit. The meat was so delicious that we ordered ribs for every meal! Although the beef wasn't tender, it was very fragrant and fresh! We just weren't used to the cured meat, and the luosifen (snail noodles) could be skipped. The landlady seasoned everything perfectly; we didn't feel thirsty afterward, and the flavors suited both our Malaysian and British palates. Consequently, we ended up having three more meals at the guesthouse."