The Cloud-Covered Wonderland of Tengchong: Staying in the Aesthetics of Japanese Wabi-Sabi

During the rainy season in Tengchong, mist and clouds envelop the rolling mountains, filling the air with the damp fragrance of moss and greenery. Just when I thought the rain would confine my itinerary, the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Bujin•Yunsen Wabi-Semi-Mountain Hot Spring Homestay offered a revelation—rain is Tengchong’s limited-edition filter. The moment I stepped inside, my heart skipped a beat! Light gray textured walls, rough ceramic vases🏺, a sand-patterned platform reminiscent of dry landscapes… Every blank space seemed touched by time. There were no flashy decorations, yet the uncarved volcanic stone steps and corridors interwoven with light and shadow showcased the host’s impeccable taste. Curled up on a linen sofa with the pitter-patter of rain outside, a cup of hot tea🍵, an old book📚, and the soothing hum from a Marshall speaker🎶—this was the very embodiment of "relaxation." The homestay owner must be a reclusive collector—the smart home system gently woke me to morning light, but what truly amazed me were these details: ✅A hinoki wood bathtub like those at Aman Kyoto: A hot spring pool carved from a single block of hinoki wood on the balcony! As hot water filled it, the woody scent of cedar blended with the sweetness of fresh rose petals, and the silky thermal water caressed my skin. ✅Sleep technology: The HEKA AI smart mattress provided perfect lumbar support, while underfloor heating and a Mitsubishi air conditioner maintained a cozy 25°C, lulling me to sleep with the sound of rain. ✅Bathroom luxury: Hansgrohe’s "RainTunes" showerhead poured down like a tropical storm, and even the hair dryer options included both Dyson and Panasonic. ✅L’Occitane toiletries were standard, but the real romance was the projector casting raindrop movies against the window. 🍵 Tea Room Rain Listening: A Zen Dialogue in Ripples The first-floor tea room was the soul of the place. Twin mirrored pools on the terrace reflected the sky, and as rain pattered down, droplets collided, creating ripples that spread outward, merging nature’s motion and stillness in an instant. Sharing an afternoon tea set with my loved one, we waited for the host to brew a pot of raw Pu’er tea. Rubbing the ceramic cup with his fingers, he shared stories of Tengchong—tales richer than the tea itself. Outside the terrace, rain and mist swirled, and in that moment, I understood the meaning of "sound in silence, movement in stillness."