Fuxian Lake’s top luxury hotel is newly launched, Baoli Bay turns Alice’s Wonderland into reality

Travel is essentially a treasure hunt, and what I discovered at Fuxian Lake is Alice’s Wonderland—the Fuxian Lake Baoli Bay Hotel and Resort. This vibrant fairy-tale realm fuses Yunnan’s elegant charm with modern imagination, transforming into a dream island within reach. It is not just a place to stay but a flowing sanctuary of art, where every glance breathes romance and poetry. The hotel redefines luxury with “effortless chic,” weaving a dialogue between tradition and fashion through the threads of Yunnan’s local culture. The moment you step inside, it feels like falling into a magical dream. The mermaid palace at the center of the lobby is undoubtedly the visual highlight. The giant cylindrical aquarium resembles deep-sea eyes, its deep blue body reflecting the daylight; the camellia flower stained glass on top is vividly colorful, with petals layered as if trying to break free from the glass; tropical fish leisurely swim with silver tails trailing behind, casting moving star maps on the tank walls, as if hiding the ocean’s whispers here. Although there was no mermaid performance during the festival, I secretly look forward to the next encounter—after all, the blank space is the most enticing invitation to a dream. Walking deeper inside, under the high glass dome, Yunnan’s woven patterns hang in the air as mandalas and water ripples, like the earth’s outstretched palm lines; wisteria cascades from the dome, dyeing the light and shadow in pale purple hymns. The indoor pool’s powder blue color is uniquely romantic, with Tiffany blue water rippling softly, and pink chandeliers casting shimmering shadows on the surface, as if stepping into Alice’s secret garden. The so-called “new luxury” is never about piling up brand names but about delicately embroidering Yunnan’s wind, flowers, weaving crafts, and romantic feelings into the fabric of fashion. Strolling out of the lobby, the green waves of the lawn bring the poetry of Fuxian Lake right to you. Moroccan-style buildings sketch exotic silhouettes among palm shadows, with brick-red corridors symmetrically laid out like piano keys; the sunken lounge area’s cushions are soft, and lying down to watch the clouds roll by, the lake breeze carries moisture through your hair, feeling fresher than Sanya with a touch of plateau crispness. The best part is the “sunset view frame” extending from the lawn, where geometric architecture frames the distant mountains and lake surface. Leaning on the railing at dusk, watching the orange molten gold soak the lake, and the sunset splash oil paint across the sky, the scene looks like an oil painting framed by God’s own hand. Every shot is worth capturing, a gilded page in life’s photo album. Staff jokingly call this the “picture frame perspective,” and indeed, nature’s grandeur and human craftsmanship reconcile here, creating a beauty that feels perfectly natural. The outdoor mini-golf, open-air pool, and children’s splash area each have their own charm. I followed the floral scent to the second floor’s “Camellia Garden.” Winding red brick paths weave through lush flowers, and on the lawn stands a Tango collaboration tile cat installation. The adorable tile cat ceramic figurines squat on the grass, becoming beloved photo subjects for all ages, their shadows tinged with fairy-tale sweetness. The surprise of the lake view room I stayed in lies in the details. The texture of the Yuanyang rice terraces is distilled into fashionable colors, instantly giving the space the warmth and rhythm of the earth. Opening the door to the balcony, the vast misty waves of Fuxian Lake embrace you fully. Brewing a cup of the hotel’s custom Pu’er tea or coffee, watching Tyndall beams pierce the clouds, and the sunset shatter into thousands of gold flakes on the lake surface, even time becomes thick and sweet. The lake surface and distant mountain silhouettes embrace, and any photo looks like a movie still. When night falls, the cuisine becomes another surprise of the dream, with Eastern and Western flavors waltzing on the round table, delicacies dancing on the tongue, adding a warm final chapter to this enchanting dream. After a two-day stay, the boundary between reality and fantasy dissolves here. The wind of Fuxian Lake, the light of Baoli Bay, and all the beauty seem to have agreed to flood into the heart together. It turns out that wonderlands need not be sought far away; wherever the heart points, the shores of Fuxian Lake hold the answer. It is Alice’s dream, and the poetry and distance we all can reach.