Ahalan Villa

Pingtan, an island off E China’s Fujian province as well as the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan, abounds with granite. The ancestors took advantage of it to build stone dwellings.

As a rising international travel destination, unique B&Bs converted from the island's ubiquitous stone houses have sprung up in recent years.  

On November 1, reporters from Pingtan CMC visited Ahalan Villa and were drawn by the distinctive style of the property. The minimalistic exterior, exquisite courtyard, and quiet ambiance feel a world away from the noise of life. Chill by the sunken deck, and have a cup of freshly brewed coffee while counting out lazy clouds drifting by - the world is beautiful once again! Here, the bitter winter could not stop the breeze of romance and trailing guests. "During peak season, we often run out of rooms," Yiyi, the innkeeper, beamed.

Talking about her decision of her settling in Pingtan, Yiyi from Sanming city said:"It originated from a serendipitous discovery." In October 2019, my family was deeply captivated after visiting Pingtan. "This place gives off a Kenting vibe. Then, the idea of running a B&B popped up."

Therefore, Yiyi took 2 months to do some market research and finally selected a stone house in Tanshui Village. In October 2020, the homestay opened for business. 

Leisure space inside 

Yiyi exerted much effort in the design of the homestay. The interiors harmonize with stones and logs that adapt to the island climate, giving an intimate and natural touch.

Decorative flowers 

"We aimed to create a homestay with a rustic flavor that fits the lifestyle of modern urbanites so that it looks ancient but not old, new but not flashy, and the combination of homey furnishings makes the place great for churning out amazing photos. Reception has been overwhelming since its opening," introduced Yiyi.  

"The homestay boasts a superb location, adjacent to popular tourist attractions such as the Northern Ecological Corridor, Shadidi Sand Dune, and Reynisfjara-style Beach. It' s well-equipped and I really feel at home," Ms. Li, a lodger said.

In Yiyi's view, the key to soliciting guests lies in forward-looking business philosophy, high-quality services, and diversified experiences. "From time to time, we hold various activities, such as music and movie nights so that the tourists who come to Pingtan can take delight in the gorgeous scenery of Pingtan while savoring the immersive holiday experience."

Ahalan Villa received rave reviews on Xiaohongshu, a Chinese social media and lifestyle platform. "I stumbled upon a Jeju-style homestay while traveling with a friend in Pingtan. Each room has a massive floor-to-ceiling window with an amazing view. Feel great enjoying the breeze and the sunset here," posted a blogger.  

In 2021, Ahalan Villa was selected as a star homestay in Pingtan.

Yiyi(Left) and Zhang Shuangyue(Right) pictured fondling cats at Ahalan Villa

Yiyi's three years on the island have been nothing short but exciting- reaching the peak of her career and finding love. She met Zhang Shuangyue, a producer-director for a state broadcaster and a veteran in the B&B business.   

A dedicated wall used to record life with photos 

"We often discuss the development of homestay and upgrade the homestay during the off-season to enrich the functions and experience." Yiyi pointed out that she plans to integrate some of her husband's photography works of Pingtan to spice up the aesthetic ambiance in the homestay.

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