Nanjing staycation | Falling asleep to the shadows of phoenix trees in a Republic of China-era villa

Spent two days in Nanjing and chose to stay at Yihe Mansion, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of this trip! Opening that vintage iron gate instantly felt like stepping into an old dream of the Republic era. The wooden stairs of the old villa have a warm texture, and the carved window frames hide the delicate passage of time. Every corner exudes a comforting tranquility 🪑.

Woke up in the morning to sunlight—light filtered through the gaps in the phoenix tree leaves, casting scattered light spots gently on the carpet at the foot of the bed. Even the dust dances softly in the light and shadow. Just grabbing my phone to take a photo, it looks like it has a built-in vintage filter, no editing needed 📸. Going downstairs for breakfast, the butler handed me warm Meiling porridge, its sweet fragrance wrapped in warmth, instantly melting away the morning laziness.

The biggest surprise was the location—right at the entrance of Yihe Road. In the afternoon, strolling along the leaf-covered street, seeing the old villas’ walls covered with vines, occasionally meeting tourists carrying cameras, speaking softly for fear of breaking the peace 🍂. Returning at dusk, the mansion’s street lamps cast a warm yellow glow. The moment I pushed open the door, it felt like the outside noise was completely shut out, leaving only our little cozy world.

Already looking forward to autumn! Imagining the phoenix trees turning golden all along the street, the light and shadows falling on the red brick walls will create an even more atmospheric vibe~ Next time I come to Nanjing, I definitely want to stay here again and savor the Republic of China-era romance I didn’t get enough of ✨.

Post by matthias.oliver.dante | Sep 17, 2025