Lanterns glow over a stone-lined courtyard at Su Yun Xiang Zhuang, a traditional guesthouse in Jiuquan, Gansu province. [Photo/WeChat account: Yunshang Jiuquan]

Tucked away from city life, a hidden retreat in Suzhou district, Jiuquan, offers a rare invitation to slow down and reconnect with the essence of Northwest China.

Su Yun Xiang Zhuang, located on Beibinhedong Road, is more than an inn — it is a living archive of regional tradition. Built from brick, timber, and stone in the style of classic architecture, its walls echo with the patience and care of rural craftsmanship.

Every object within the courtyard — from heirloom chairs to aged ceramic basins — has a story. The inn's owner spent over a decade collecting, restoring, and preserving household artifacts passed down through five generations of local families. Their arrangement throughout the residence transforms each stay into a quiet dialogue with the past.

Rustic charm defines an outdoor seating area at Su Yun Xiang Zhuang. [Photo/WeChat account: Yunshang Jiuquan]

The compound now houses a folk culture museum, a traditional restaurant, and a six-room boutique guesthouse. The museum features more than 5,000 folk relics, thoughtfully displayed throughout every room and corner — and free for all visitors to explore.

The restaurant offers 12 indoor dining rooms and an open-air seating area, serving organic farm-to-table cuisine rooted in the flavors of Northwest China alongside refined home-style dishes.

Each guest room tells its own story through vernacular design and local detailing. Here, an overnight stay becomes more than rest — it is a moment of continuity with the lives, memories, and quiet beauty of generations before.

In Su Yun Xiang Zhuang, the past is not just preserved — it's waiting to be lived.