This time when I escaped from the city center of Shanghai to escape the world, I chose to stay at Lake Malaren International Convention Center Shanghai. After driving for more than 40 minutes from the city center, I just saw the surface of Meilan Lake from afar, and my whole heart relaxed from the fast-paced CBD.
When checking in, the girl at the front desk smiled and handed me a cup of warm barley tea, reminding me that my lake view room is on the third floor, and I can directly face the surface of Meilan Lake by sliding the window, without any building obstruction. Walking through the hallway covered in soft velvet carpets to the room, the moment I pushed open the window, the wind wrapped in the clear water of the lake blew in. The distant Nordic style town spire was outlined in the mist, and even the air carried a sense of relaxation away from the city. The room is spacious and bright, with solid wood furniture that exudes a warm texture. The two meter wide bed is just right in terms of softness and hardness. The exhaustion accumulated from staying up all night the previous week quickly dissipated when it touched the pillow.
What surprised me the most was the hotel's own large lawn by the lake. Without the need to find a checkpoint, I walked slowly along the path by the lake. The grass under my feet was soft, and the wind blew the ripples on the surface of the lake layer by layer. The white bridge in the distance lay across the lake. The photos I took without editing were like those taken directly from the scenery of a Nordic town. The hotel also offers free bicycle rental services. I rode my bike slowly along the lakeshore, passing by fields of hydrangeas and elderly people sunbathing on benches by the roadside, even slowing down time by several beats.
The breakfast experience completely exceeded expectations. The bottom plate of the freshly made fried bun in Mingduan District was fried golden and crispy. A mouthful of fresh juice wrapped with meat stuffing, accompanied by a bowl of hot small Wonton, was the most comfortable Jiangnan morning. The restaurant area by the lake faces the surface of the lake, eating breakfast while watching the morning mist slowly dissipate from the lake. The outline of the Ferris wheel in the distance gradually appears, and even the pace of eating slows down. I specifically tried the local specialty smoked fish at the restaurant, which was crispy on the outside and tender, sweet and salty on the inside, completely different from the perfunctory taste of scenic hotels.
During the two days I lived here, I hardly made any clock in trips. After breakfast, take a walk in the garden. The Chinese pavilion is hidden in the shade of camphor trees, and you can catch the blooming roses around the corner; In the afternoon, take a seat at the lakeside tea house in the hotel, order a cup of Mingqian Longjing, and watch the boat slowly pass by the lake. The afternoon quietly slipped away. In the evening, sitting by the lake waiting for the sunset, the orange red sunset spread over the entire lake, even the distant Nordic town spire was coated with a warm light.
The service details of the hotel were particularly impressive. Before checking in, the butler called me specifically to ask about my preferences. Knowing that I liked quietness, he arranged a room far away from the main road for me. I casually mentioned that I wanted to find a good spot for taking sunset photos, and the front desk staff immediately pointed me to the hotel's exclusive lakeside observation deck. There are almost no tourists there, and the photos taken are completely free of passersby. Before leaving, I bought some local specialties by the lake, and the front desk even took the initiative to pack them neatly for me, fearing that they might be damaged on the way.
I used to think that I had to travel a long distance to find a secluded lake view, but this time I stayed at Lake Malaren International Convention Center Shanghai and realized that I don't have to leave Shanghai to find such a peaceful place next to the lake, slowing down my life. The next time I want to escape from the city to catch my breath, I will definitely return here and continue this slow time hidden in Meilan Lake.Show more