Hou Long Bo Guesthouse: A Hidden Seaside Utopia in Houlong Village, Nanji IslandIf you’re tired of the city’s hustle and bustle and seek a quiet corner embraced by sea breezes, the "Hou Long Bo" guesthouse in Houlong Village, Nanji Island, might just be your starting point to converse with the ocean. Tucked away in this secret coastal gem of southern Zhejiang, this seaside courtyard weaves the poetry of mountains and sea into every dawn and dusk in the most rustic way.1. The Journey to the Island: From Mundane Life to a Coastal ParadiseNanji Island, located in Pingyang County, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, is one of China’s ten most beautiful islands, named for its resemblance to a sika deer. Arriving here requires a touch of "ritual" — first take a ferry from Aojiang Port or Ruian Port in Wenzhou (about 1.5 hours). The 碧蓝 (blue) sea shimmers with ripples trailing the ship, while distant islands unfold like an ink-wash scroll being unrolled gradually.After disembarking, a 20-minute drive along the island’s winding coastal road leads to Houlong Village. Once a fishing village, it faces the vast East China Sea and leans against lush green mountains. Stone houses are scattered along the coastline in an orderly manner, preserving the most authentic look of a fishing village. "Hou Long Bo" hides here like a seashell cast by the ocean, waiting to meet kindred spirits.2. Living by the Sea: Bringing Ocean Views into Daily LifeThe name "Hou Long Bo" carries its own poetry — "Houlong" is the village’s heritage, while "Bo" (泊) means to moor, symbolizing a promise with the sea. The guesthouse has 45 guest rooms, all designed with a "sea" theme: opening the window, you might face an "open sea-view room" with endless blue waves or a "coastal terrace room" overlooking rocks whispering with waves.In the morning, the first rays of sunlight filter through the sheer curtains onto the bed. Lazily propping yourself up, you can watch fishing boats sailing out gently in golden light, seagulls drawing silver lines over the waves; at dusk, sit on a rattan chair on the balcony and watch the setting sun dye the entire sea amber, while distant lighthouses begin to flicker. The sound of waves lapping against rocks is like the sea’s lullaby.During high tide, standing on the seaside promenade in front of the guesthouse, you can see waves surging with foam like shattered silver, as the salty sea breeze tangles in your hair, infusing even your breath with the ocean’s scent; at low tide, the tidal flats reveal 密密麻麻 (dense) shells and small crabs. Taking children to go beachcombing with a bucket, you gain not just trophies but the joy of connecting with nature.3. Between Mountains and Sea: Stealing a Half-Day of LeisureAt "Hou Long Bo," time is meant to be wasted. You can do nothing but lie on a hammock on the terrace, listening to the whispers of waves and rocks, watching clouds stroll lazily across the blue sky; or follow the guesthouse owner to experience "fisherman’s life" — take a small fishing boat to trawl the sea, personally hauling up lively shrimp and crabs, or put on a diving mask to seek colorful corals and fish in the nearshore waters.To explore more of the island, take a coastal walk: visit Dasha'ao to step on the "No. 1 Wonder of the World" shell beach, where fine sand slips through your fingers like golden powder; climb Sanpanwei to see the "Marine Bonsai Garden" where natural lawns intertwine with marine erosion landforms. Standing on the viewing platform and gazing into the distance, you can almost see the curvature of the earth where the sea meets the sky. Return to Houlong Village in the evening, and at the guesthouse’s outdoor dining table, savor freshly landed steamed groupers and spicy stir-fried clams with a bottle of ice-cold beer, listening to fellow travelers share stories from their journeys.4. Sleeping to the Sound of the Sea: Let Stars and Waves Lull You to SleepAs night falls, warm yellow lanterns light up in the courtyard of "Hou Long Bo," and the sea breeze carries the fragrance of plants across the veranda. Sitting in the courtyard and gazing at the stars, the Milky Way — rarely seen in cities — is clearly visible, with an occasional meteor streaking across the sea, leaving a fleeting trail of light.Inside the guest rooms, log furniture and linen fabrics create a natural texture, while smart toilets and central air conditioning quietly hide modern conveniences. When you step out of the bathroom wrapped in a soft towel, the aroma of cedar and ocean from the bedside diffuser fills the air. Drawing back the curtains, moonlight gilds the sea’s edge, and the waves grow gentle, as if the sea whispers in your ear: "Goodnight, dream a blue dream."Epilogue: Not an Endpoint, but a Starting Point for Another LifeThe beauty of Nanji Island lies in its unspoiled wildness; the charm of Hou Long Bo lies in how it brings people within arm’s reach of the sea in the gentlest way. Whether you come alone to heal by listening to the sea, 赴约 (keep an appointment) with a loved one to watch the sunrise, or build "sandcastles" with children on the beach, this place will leave unique memories.Next time you visit the sea, why not come to Hou Long Bo? Let the sea breeze brush away your fatigue, let the waves seal time for you, and in this world of intertwined blue and white, rediscover the vastness and tenderness of life.
"It’s been a month since I had to travel on business and found that I didn’t give a review to other homestays. Let me talk about our experience.
The cheapest room set before May 1st is in the early 1000s. It is expensive because Xiaohongshu said that the conditions of the island homestay will not be very good, so we set this evaluation is better. Actually, this homestay is better than I thought. The newer room is upstairs in the reception hall. The room is very large. Standing by the window, you can really see the sea hahaha, and the sea view room! The evaluation is more objective and should not be brushed out. It is said that the boss has invested heavily. After all, the construction cost on the island has to double!
Probably expected to be lower, I think this trip to the island accommodation is clean and dry. The actual bedding is still clean, the facilities are very new, but the room is generally hygienic. It is said that the aunts of May 1st have no time to do it carefully. It is understandable, but the bathroom lighting is very dark, and the makeup is not clear. The face is a bit sad.
To talk about the service, the service is still very satisfactory. Most of the staff are villagers, and they are still very enthusiastic and simple. The manager’s younger brother is okay and can accompany the main emotional value to give enough. When you have time, you will take the initiative to help take pictures. Although we did not shoot his aesthetic question mark, But the attitude is commendable.
Finally, I ate the seafood restaurant opened by the hotel. It tasted very good. Two people had 600 yuan for seafood. I ordered two scallops. It felt a little higher than the price/performance ratio of Wenzhou. My friends and I felt that the price was not as expensive as the Internet said. They were all unique seafood. Of course, it is particularly expensive and there is no choice."