China-based design firm Yiduan Shanghai Interior Design has completed a new homestay hotel in an ancient city Shangri-La, Yunnan, China. The 1200-square-metre hotel takes inspiration from the existing architectural elements of Shangri-La - known as the Tibetan style - and the elements of Oriental Zen. 

The new hotel, named as Karesansui, is connected to the existing buildings with bridged corridors, which creates a smooth transition and presents the beauty of nature was gradually shown.

The client drew a rough draft by hand, including the elements of Oriental Zen and of the Tibetan style of ancient city Shangri-La, emphasised the lead architect Xu Xujun.

Karesansui is located at No. 46 Cuo Lang, North Gate Street of Dukezong Ancient Town, Shangri-La, Yunnan. It is geographically blessed - only three minutes' walk from Sifang Street. Buildings of Karesansui are built on the slopes, it took nearly two years to complete the construction. 

"During the construction period, Mr. Xu stayed on project site with his assistants for nearly one year to follow up on and instruct the construction. This contributes to the perfect implementation of the design, said the firm. 

The hotel is composed of six small buildings and an old Tibetan house, and visually, the two buildings where the restaurant and lobby located are floating in the air. Bridged by corridors, the buildings are undulating and interweaved with each other. 

The building includes 15 guest rooms in total, in addition, it features a lobby, a restaurant and a tea room. Unique indoor design could be found in each guests room, while giving guests great sense of privacy, it shows the beauty of new oriental Zen. 

One of the buildings is built by being kept the original Tibetan structure, and local Tibetan elements are added to its architectural and interior design. When designing the window, the architects made full use of the great view, making it possible for guests to enjoy the painting-like scenery of blue sky, white clouds, sunrise and sunset just by looking out of the window. 

The transformation of new styled buildings and the old Tibetan houses come out natural and harmonious. The scale of the hostel is not big, but it is exquisite. 

The space function layout is ingenious and just perfect. While standing out, the buildings blend into the surrounding environment and hostels perfectly. The local committee call it "one of the most beautiful hostel in Shangri-La", according to the architect.

The name of the hostel comes from poetry titled "Looking for the Reclusive Chan Taoist of South Stream" by Liu Changqing, poet of Tang Dynasty.

"Enjoy the green pines after the rain, walk by the path of the mountain and find the source of the water, I understand Zen from the reflection of the flowers in the stream, and I stare at them silently," said the architect. 

"The poet didn’t find the taoist, instead, he found something else interesting which enabled him to get insight into Zen."

"The name Karesansui is thus born, and it aims at helping guests to gain spiritual pleasure and psychological satisfaction. Being enlighten by the quite stream, enjoying fun of tranquility from appreciating swaying wildflower - what's deep inside the heart is a kind of peace and joy of self-examination."

"Such kind of peaceful mood integrated harmoniously with the quiet environment. We hope that all guests could have an agreeable experience here," added the firm.

Project facts

Design Company: Yiduan Shanghai Interior Design 

Chief Designer & Creative Director: Xu Xujun

Participating Designers: Xu Xuwei, Changtao, Zhang Qianglong, Mahoulong

Project Location: Shangri-La, Yunnan, China

Type: Homestay Hotel

Area: 1200m2

Design Time: Dec, 2015

Construction Time: Mar, 2016

All images © Zhu Enlong

> via Yiduan Shanghai Interior Design