Sanjiuwu

　　Sanjiuwu is situated in Moganshan Town, Deqing County, Zhejiang Province. In 2008, Gao Tiancheng, a South African working in Shanghai, came to this summer retreat with his friends. While exploring, the foreigner with a keen eye instantly fell in love with the village of Sanjiuwu. He and his friends rented six earthen houses in the village, gave them simple renovations, and began inviting foreigners to spend their weekends there.

　　Today, as you walk through Sanjiuwu Village, you’ll see winding mountain paths shaded by lush bamboo. Along the way, groups of cheerful foreign men and women ride their bikes merrily along forest trails. Climb to the rooftop of Gao Tiancheng’s “Foreigners’ Inn” for a view—rolling hills and layered peaks stretch as far as the eye can see, refreshing the spirit.

　　Ms. Zhang, who now works as a translator at the “Foreigners’ Inn” and has long lived in Sanjiuwu, told us that last year alone, the village hosted over 2,000 international visitors, accounting for three-quarters of all foreign guests received in Huzhou City. The “Foreign Homestays” in Sanjiuwu have become the only foreign-oriented rural guesthouse in East China.

　　Heading from Yucun toward Houwu, take a right and you’ll find the famous Sanjiuwu (its correct name is actually Shanjiuwu, but local accents may have led to the mispronunciation).

　　As the car entered the misty town of Moganshan, the window alternately framed the calm surface of a reservoir shrouded in light mist, and stretches of slender bamboo swaying like a sea of green. After winding through several turns, we finally stopped at a junction.

　　At the intersection stood two playful road signs, with the Arabic numerals “395” formed by circles of bamboo. Among the roadside grass were a few uniquely shaped trash bins, woven from bamboo strips and planted upside down in the ground like trumpets. A local official told us that this is where the “Foreign Homestays” begin—these locally sourced trash bins and whimsical road signs were personally designed by Gao Tiancheng.

　　Truly a quiet and remote village. Standing at the crossroads, with a gentle breeze blowing, you can hear only the murmuring stream, and in sight is just a small building—the rest lie hidden among the mountain bends and bamboo forests. Legend has it that this place was once “sparsely populated, with only three households and nine people,” hence the name “Sanjiuwu.” Even today, the village has only 18 households. When the young South African Gao Tiancheng first biked here on a visit, there were only about twenty elderly residents left, as most young people had left to do business or work in the city. Many old-style earthen houses and Western-style buildings stood vacant.

　　According to local officials, three years ago, the young South African Gao Tiancheng came to Shanghai to work in media and was the initiator of the “naked” (naked) concept, describing himself as “suffocated by the city and starting to search for unspoiled nature nearby.” One day, Gao Tiancheng searched online for Moganshan, a well-known summer retreat, and learned many legendary tales about the area from Mark’s “LODGE” homepage. Naturally curious, Gao Tiancheng invited a few friends from Shanghai the next day, hopped on mountain bikes, and rode to Moganshan. While exploring, he stumbled upon Sanjiuwu.

　　The lush greenery of Sanjiuwu closely resembled the environment of Gao Tiancheng’s hometown. As soon as he entered the village, he felt a sense of familiarity and warmth, especially toward the authentic earthen houses, which reminded him of the scent of his native soil. Learning that most of these earthen houses were sitting empty, Gao Tiancheng and his friends didn’t hesitate to rent six dilapidated ones for a full 15 years.

　　“Originally, we just wanted a place for ourselves and our friends to vacation. But later, we realized that running it as a countryside homestay had great market potential, because the natural scenery, fresh air, and tranquility away from the hustle and bustle were extremely appealing to foreigners and high-end white-collar workers from Shanghai.”

　　Foreigners running “Foreign Homestays” naturally received strong support from the local government. And the eco-friendly vibe that permeates the place makes these homestays truly unique.

　　The rented farmhouses were transformed into cozy guest cottages, each given charming names: Zilingju, Cuizhu Xiaozhu, and Bamboo Studio. From the outside, these houses give off the feel of returning to the era of rural communes.

　　Nowadays, many foreigners living in Shanghai come to Sanjiuwu for the weekend. Like a hidden paradise, the village’s enchanting charm attracts more and more travelers who enjoy rural life.