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Posted on Apr 5, 2026
Anonymous User
Qingming Festival Thousand Island Lake Trip | Zhi Ya Art Hotel: Lake View is Heavenly, but Hardware and Surcharges are a Reality Check
Qingming Festival mini-break · 2-day/1-night genuine experience · Combined with real feedback from Dianping over the past month
🌤️ Qingming Weather and First Impressions: Intermittent Sun and Rain on the Lake
My trip to Thousand Island Lake during Qingming was perfectly timed with the weather – warm and sunny during the day (12-25℃), slightly cool in the mornings and evenings, with occasional mist and light rain. The air was humid, the plants were green, and the lake was often shrouded in a light haze, giving it a distinct spring江南 (Jiangnan) charm.
The hotel is on Wenxin Island, an independent island in the middle of the lake, surrounded by water on all sides. You park your car at the pier and take a shuttle bus to the island. I was immediately struck by the scenery upon arrival: a 270° lake view, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a spacious balcony. The sunset in the evening painted the lake in shades of orange and pink. There's no need to jostle with crowds at scenic spots; you can capture stunning photos right from the hotel terrace. The art-style lobby, old movie theme, spiral staircase, and art installations create a strong ambiance and are very photogenic.
🛏️ Rooms and Hardware: Views are Top-Notch, Facilities are a Bit Old
• Pros: The room was spacious, the bedding was soft, and there was a large bathtub on the balcony. Opening the window revealed the lake, and on rainy days, snuggling in the room to watch the misty Thousand Island Lake was peaceful and therapeutic. The service attitude was good, the shuttle bus was available on call, and basic requests were quickly addressed.
• Cons:
1. Facilities are noticeably old: The decor, furniture, door locks, bathroom fixtures, and TV all show their age. There are clear signs of wear and tear, and some details look quite dated.
2. Heavy dampness: Being on an island and with frequent rain during Qingming, the room, hallway, and carpet all had a musty smell. Clothes didn't dry, and the duvet felt a bit damp to the touch.
3. Gym is practically useless: The space is small, the equipment is severely aged, chipped, and makes loud noises, making it virtually impossible to get a proper workout.
💰 Price Complaint: Severe Holiday Surcharge
The Qingming holiday surcharge was outrageously high, nearly 500 RMB more per night than on weekdays. The price doesn't match the hardware, and the value for money plummets. Recent reviews over the past month also frequently complain about the steep price hikes on weekends/holidays, suggesting that only off-peak prices are reasonable.
🍽️ Dining and Surroundings
Breakfast was decent and filling. The Thousand Island Lake fish head and river shrimp at the lakeside restaurant were fresh. There's a Neverland Cafe on the island, offering a great ambiance for lakeside afternoon tea, but the prices are on the higher side. Once on the island, it's inconvenient to go out, so activities are mostly confined to the hotel.
✅ Summary and Recommendations (Genuine and Objective)
Pros: Excellent lake views, stunning sunsets, quiet environment, strong artistic atmosphere, good service attitude.
Cons: Old facilities, noticeable dampness, aged gym, severe holiday surcharge.
Suitable for: Those who only want to take photos, enjoy the lake view, don't exercise, and prefer off-peak, lower-priced stays.
Not recommended for: Friends with high demands for facilities, who want to exercise, or have a limited budget during holidays.
📝 Travel Tips
1. Thousand Island Lake has a large temperature difference between day and night during Qingming (10-25℃), so bring a light jacket.
2. Spring is rainy, and the island is humid, so bring dehumidifier packets and quick-drying clothes.
3. Be sure to choose a lake view room when checking in; the scenery is vastly different.
4. Strongly recommend going off-peak; the value for money is much better on weekdays.
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Price per night from:NZD 86
Posted on Aug 16, 2026|Deluxe Forest View Twin Room
PengsakelaasuojiaerInterContinental Qiandao Lake, exclusively occupying the Xian Shan Peninsula, is a scenic destination in itself, perfect for a slow-paced getaway.
The hotel offers a rich variety of dining options. The breakfast buffet on the first floor boasts a wide selection, and we enjoyed several excellent meals at the Chinese restaurant. The late-night diner on the fifth floor, opening at 9 PM, became a regular treat for the kids after swimming, serving various instant noodles with fresh eggs and vegetables. There's also a Japanese restaurant outside the lobby, perfect for a relaxed meal after a scenic walk or bike ride around the lake.
You can rent bicycles and 'Panda cars' to explore the island. The peninsula is ecologically pristine, with blue butterflies dancing and swallows flitting about, showcasing abundant wildlife. Both indoor and outdoor pools have regularly changed water and are well-maintained. The hotel also has its own yacht pier; simply book at the front desk or buy tickets at the lobby shop for direct access to Huangshan Peak, making travel incredibly convenient.
The most heartwarming part of our stay was the housekeeping auntie. When she saw my child's summer homework spread out, she thoughtfully placed an eye-protection desk lamp, noticing the dim light in the room. This small act of kindness was truly touching.
With one island, one hotel, far from the hustle and bustle, nestled between the lake and mountains, enjoying nature in peace – this is the ideal state of a vacation.
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Price per night from:NZD 166
Posted on May 29, 2026
Guest UserThis is an older five-star hotel, so some of the facilities aren't quite up to date. The bedside outlets really need an upgrade; sometimes my charger would come loose. Also, perhaps due to the humid weather, even with the AC on, it didn't feel completely dry. On the plus side, the breakfast selection was excellent, and the staff were incredibly friendly and enthusiastic. The hotel offers plenty of activities, and the 20-meter indoor pool was perfect for swimming with the kids. The outdoor pool might have been closed due to the weather. They also have a kids' club and a sandpit area for younger children, as well as a small animal farm. Staff clean the animal area in the morning, which is a nice opportunity to take your little ones to see the animals. Our three-day, two-night stay at the hotel was quite fulfilling and enjoyable.
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Price per night from:NZD 118
Posted on Jul 25, 2026|Superior Garden-view Twin Room
Guest UserThis time, I stayed at other hotels first before coming to New Century, and the contrast was quite stark. Let me talk about the pros: 1. The outdoor swimming pool is huge, with a large sunshade, so no fear of sunburn. The children's water park is also a good size. In contrast, other hotels' outdoor pools are small and crowded like a 'dumpling pot,' and fully exposed to the sun, which completely discouraged me from wanting to swim. So, New Century gets extra points for this! 2. The 'Car Town' is two stories, totaling 3000 square meters – it's really, really big, with so many activities. Besides the usual slides and ball pits found in every hotel's indoor playground, it also has electric cars, a reading corner, 'Sims' role-playing, a simulated supermarket, a music corner, and much, much more that I can't even list them all. Because of its large size, even with many children inside, they are well spread out, perfectly avoiding situations where older kids monopolize equipment and don't let younger ones play. Plus! Anti-slip socks are provided for free, which is a bonus! 3. The 'Pet Park' has more animals and is larger than I expected. They also provide pet treats, so children can spend at least an hour feeding the animals. 4. There's a clown performance in the hotel lobby, doing magic tricks and giving out balloons of various shapes. 5. The hotel lobby also provides drinking water, and thoughtful details like 45-degree constant temperature water and wet wipes for infants. These details really make it a comprehensive family-friendly hotel! 6. The children's amenities in the room are also very complete; no need to bring anything, just show up with the kids 😂. 7. The butler, [Man Man], provided excellent service. They upgraded our room, sent fruit and toy gift packages, and on the day of check-out, gifted a basket of freshly picked peaches and a souvenir. It felt like we were constantly receiving gift packages; the emotional value provided was incredible! 8. The robot service was also very quick; it felt faster than robots at other hotels, haha. All in all, it was great. I will choose New Century again next time I come to Qiandao Lake. When traveling with young children, you honestly don't have the energy to go out sightseeing; you just want to relax at the hotel. New Century's facilities are completely sufficient for family travel! Also, kudos to the air conditioning service. On the first night, even though it was set to 27 degrees, the room stayed at 23.5 all night, which was too cold. After feedback the next day, an engineer came to adjust it, and then it could be set to the desired temperature. My sleep was much more comfortable that night! If it weren't for the higher room rates on Saturday due to being fully booked, I would have extended my stay!
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Price per night from:NZD 140
Posted on May 1, 2026
Guest User
Traveling with family, I booked one standard room and one king room, on different floors. Both were originally balcony rooms, but the front desk said they upgraded us. However, the standard room was changed to one without a balcony, only adding a bathtub, and it was still on a different floor. I felt it wasn't worth the change. The king room with a balcony had a great view, where you could see the beautiful scenery of Qiandao Lake. The hotel breakfast was plentiful and delicious, and the staff were very friendly. Our butler, Zhang, was also very enthusiastic and responsive to our needs. I would recommend this hotel to my friends!
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Price per night from:NZD 94
Posted on Jul 22, 2025
Guest User
Loved our family room—amazing lake and island views, quiet, with a great balcony. Big towels, clean bedding, and a fridge were nice touches. The lakeside dock, restaurant and picnic areas were perfect for swimming, eating and relaxing.
Downsides: The pool (filled with cloudy slimy lake water) and its rundown messy area weren’t appealing. Hallway carpets and elevator had mold, needing deep cleaning.
Still, great value for the location. Don’t really need the pool with the lake so close. We’d return but hope they address the maintenance issues.
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Price per night from:NZD 66
Posted on Mar 2, 2026
Aiheqishuidevip
My overall stay exceeded expectations. The hotel's location is excellent, making travel very convenient. The room was clean and tidy, with soft and comfortable bedding, and good soundproofing. All the bathroom amenities were provided, hot water was consistent, and the WiFi was smooth. The front desk staff were very welcoming and even helped upgrade my room. Housekeeping was prompt and thorough, and the common areas were neat and orderly. It offers great value for money, suitable for both business trips and leisure travel.
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Price per night from:NZD 85
Posted on Aug 16, 2026|Guestroom - With View (Double Bed) (Soaking Tub)
Guest UserThis trip involved two families. Upon arrival, the front desk attendant kindly upgraded us to a lakeside room with a pool for free. After checking in, the butler provided a comprehensive overview of the hotel's facilities and services. Due to time constraints, we only stayed for one day this time. We'd love to come back to Qiandao Lake for a two-day stay next time. P.S. The kids had an absolute blast, especially with the feeling of having the pool all to ourselves for an evening swim – it was amazing! Plus, the room's decor was exactly my style!
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Price per night from:NZD 89
Posted on May 25, 2026
Guest UserMy stay at the Qiandao Lake Cozy Island Resort was a fantastic experience. The hotel facilities are well-equipped overall, and the guest rooms are clean and tidy, with housekeeping doing an excellent job. The staff were thoughtful, warm, and very friendly and attentive.
I even received a complimentary fruit platter, which was a lovely touch. The in-house dining was delicious; the Chinese-style fish head soup I tried was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and truly outstanding. The daily amenities are also extensive, with a wide variety of free breakfast options in the morning and a pleasant outdoor BBQ experience available in the evening.
The hotel is located on an island, offering a tranquil and peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle. The overall atmosphere is very comfortable and relaxing, making it an ideal choice for a leisure vacation.
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Price per night from:NZD 65
Posted on Apr 2, 2026
Guest User
This hotel's location is absolutely amazing! It's right by the central lake, so you can just step out and start exploring – incredibly convenient. The room was clean and tidy, and the bed was so soft and comfy; I felt completely refreshed after a good night's sleep. Standing on the balcony, enjoying the lake breeze and the view, was incredibly relaxing. The front desk staff, especially the lady, was super nice and patient, always helping me with my questions – truly thoughtful service!
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Price per night from:NZD 46