I Discovered a Hidden Hotel in Xi’an on a Walk with a US Friend Under City Wall

Some of the best places in a city are not in travel guides. You simply stumble upon them.

A walk under Xi’an’s ancient City Wall

In September 2025, I was walking with my American friend Cole along Shuncheng Alley — the road that runs beside Xi’an’s ancient City Wall. I often bring international friends there, as it’s one of the places where you can feel both the history of Xi’an and the rhythm of daily life. As we walked, a beautiful building suddenly caught our attention.Quiet, elegant, full of greenery, and right under the ancient City Wall. As we simply thought it was a beautiful hotel, we stopped and took a photos. We continued our walk, but I remembered the place.

Why I came back later

I often share videos in English about Xi’an online. Because of that, international friends ask me a lot: “Where should I stay in Xi’an?” So I started researching hotels in the city more carefully. And the beautiful building under the City Wall was naturally on my list. One day I decided to walk in.

The first impression of YUANLI HOTEL

I told the staff that I wasn’t checking in. I just wanted to visit and learn about the hotel. They welcomed me warmly and showed me around. That was my first real introduction to YUANLI HOTEL. They shared their philosophy — environmentally friendly design, natural materials, chill spaces. It felt peaceful. Not like a commercial hotel. More like a thoughtful living space.

That day, I also discovered that YUANLI Hotel has a restaurant open to the public. Beautifully presented dishes, flavorful food, local tea, and great coffee — all of it left a lasting impression on me.

A place I started recommending

After that, I started recommending YUANLI HOTEL to friends visiting Xi’an. But I also started going there for coffee with friends. Almost everyone who visited said the same thing: “This place feels special”.

When the place became part of a story

Later, when I started preparing Xi’an Business Network, I needed a venue. So I spoke with the head of YUANLI Hotel. She didn’t just support it. She genuinely wanted to help.

To support Xi’an Business Network, the hotel team prepare the space, adjust the lighting, and even served local tea for guests to experience Xi’an while networking.

One moment I’ll always remember

The restaurant manager, Huijie Song, wanted to introduce the hotel to our international guests better. So she practiced her English again and again before the event. By the time the event started, her lips were already dry from practicing. That sincerity stayed with me.

A small discovery that became partnership

After the event, many guests told me the same thing: “The venue was amazing.” Later I shared the story with Cole — the friend who first noticed the hotel with me. He said: “Next time I’m in Xi’an it looks like a nice place to stay”. And I realized something. Sometimes the best places in a city are the ones you discover by accident.