China Old Story Inns Dali Elite Garden

Rooms and decor

The inn is a 2-storey building wrapped around a central courtyard garden, and that garden is the whole point. It is planted with white osmanthus, Chinese plum, peach trees and Chinese roses that flower through the year, with a small koi pond, bonsai pots tucked into the corners and red paper lanterns lit after dark. Our room was a Garden Twin of about 22 sqm, decorated in old Chinese style — a carved wooden bed with a floral pattern, ivory cotton bedding, a Chinese-lantern bedside lamp, and folding wooden windows that open straight onto the garden. A soft fountain runs all day in the background.

Food and amenities

Breakfast is a Chinese spread included in the rate: congee, boiled eggs, pickled vegetables, steamed mantou buns and Pu'er tea. Every room has a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi, and there is a lounge area to sit out. This is boutique-level kit rather than a full-service hotel, but it covers what a relaxed Old Town stay needs. The China Old Story Inns chain (中国故事民宿) runs boutique B&Bs across several of China's old tourist towns, and this Elite Garden branch is the one known for the green garden at its center.

Location and getting there

You are squarely inside Dali Old Town, near the central Wuhua Tower. It is a 4-minute walk to Renmin Road, the food street, 6 minutes to Fuxing Road for shopping, and 10 minutes to the South and North city gates. That setup means you can wander all day without calling a car. A favorite guest routine is walking out for crossing-the-bridge noodles in the cool evening, then coming back to sip tea in the garden.

Things to know before booking

This is a small property, so the number of rooms is limited and availability gets tight in high season — book ahead if your dates are fixed. Facilities stay at basic boutique level, not full-service hotel standard, so don't expect a gym or a pool. Most Western passports get visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to China for short stays, but check your nationality's current rules before you fly.

Our take

This one earns its place on the list on price for quality. From about $29 a night you get a boutique inn inside the Old Town with garden views, a private bathroom, free Wi-Fi and Chinese breakfast — and the 9.2 value score holds up against rivals that usually open at $43 to $57. With a range of roughly $29 to $63 a night, it suits budget couples, solo travelers and small families who want a quiet, leafy Old Town stay with real Chinese-courtyard charm. We rate it highly.