The Linden Centre is an award-winning boutique hotel offering the intrepid traveller an inspiring exploration into Southwest China. With the Himalayan foothills providing a stunning backdrop, guests can reside in a beautifully restored national relic (one of the only national heritage sites open to overnight stays in China) within a thriving village, all while being serviced by a passionate and bilingual staff. Over 40% of the mansion is dedicated to common space, including a well-stocked cafe, dining room, fitness center, game room, extensive library, and conference facilities. Our second story terrace, floating above the fertile fields, is one of the iconic images of the region. Touch the ‘old’ China that is elusive to most visitors in one of the world’s oldest and most storied cultures.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Chinese
Location
No.5 Chengbei Village, Xizhou Town, Dali 671004 China
We got the Linden Centre recommended by a friend and it turned out to be even better than we could have imagined. Its located some 17km from Dali old town and that turns out to be a good thing because Dali is nice but very touristy. Xizhou is very cute and although it definitely has been discovered by tourists, it doesn't attract the masses that Dali does which makes it very nice to get away from everything. There are many newly weds and KOL's taking pictures just outside of the Linden Centre because of its beautiful location. This is more funny than anything else and we didn't experience any obnoxious tourists or large tourist masses that you tend to run in Dali itself from time to time.
The Linden Centre is located in an amazing restored historic building at the corner of some rice fields. The restoration has been done beautifully and the building has a perfect balance between historical features and feel, and modern comfort at the same time. Our room was spacious, clean and very comfortable. The interior was clean and no-nonsense but that worked really well in my opinion. The courtyards and communal spaces were also clean and the rooftop patio in the back has an amazing view over the rice fields, the hills and mountains surrounding the area. Make sure you get up early to catch the sunrise there, it's amazing! Every day, they also have two tours - a morning one that takes you through old town Xizhou and the markets and another in the afternoon that tells you the history of the building and background of how the Linden Centre came to be - both highly recommended.
The owners, Brian and Jeanee are just the sweetest and most caring people that went above and beyond to make sure our stay perfect. Their amazing hospitality was shared by all the people working there as well. Each and everyone was attentive and friendly and helped us out whenever we needed anything. It's really the small things that show how considerate the team is, for example when we were finishing up dinner outside, one of the staff came by with mosquito spray in case we wanted to stay out longer and avoid the bites. We were especially thankful for the way they took care of us and all the guests during a string of earthquakes that hit the area during our visit.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For a school trip, me and 14 other students from Shanghai stayed at the Linden Centre for a month to soak up the culture here. It was absolutely amazing, with so many rooms for so many different activities. I really appreciated the keyboard in the chill room keeping me sane in times of confusion. They even have bikes! The bunks are also incredibly comfortable as long as you don't fall off (that actually happened twice), and the temperature's just right. The food served here is also tasty and has lots of variety. I would like to thank the Linden Centre for giving us a place to call our home for the past 28 days.
The village of XiZhou is also very interesting to explore and has lots of friendly people for you to talk to. It's unlike the city, which is what makes it such an interesting experience. Would definitely recommend checking it out.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:The walls and floors do not trap in sound. Also, sleeping on the top bunks come with a chance of...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whether this is your first time in China, or you have lived in the country for many years, the Linden Centre is an absolutely spectacular place. I spent 13 years living in China as an expat myself, and can think of no place better to visit. I have now visited the Linden Centre 3 times during Christmas time, and the wonderful hospitality, unique and beautiful venue, and revolving door of interesting guests keep drawing me back. Xizhou is not only a beautiful part of the country to relax, but is also a place with a rich and interesting minority culture. After you have biked or walked around XiZhou proper, you can choose to explore the rapidly growing and bustling city of Dali, or venture to the mountains for a scenic hike or hot springs dip. Brian and Jeannie are incredible hosts, with big hearts and open minds. I highly recommend this place to anyone and everyone if you want a REAL China experience.... Did I mention the food is fantastic! Oh my goodness - EAT EVERYTHING!
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Date of stay: December 2019
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Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jeanee L, Owner at The Linden Centre
Responded 12 Feb 2020
The Coronavirus and Happy Town Our old square is empty, shops boarded up, and a red banner playfully blows from the upper reaches of a stone arch and inspires our town to pull together to fight off the virus. A few local residents sit on wooden benches, all but their eyes covered in cloth. I do not recognize some of them and cannot tell if they are smiling or frowning under their veils. I tell myself that this cannot be my adopted home. Our village is usually alive with the commotion of merchants, farmers, and tourists. And yet today all is quiet. Lunar New Year is the most raucous time of the year in rural China. The seeming discordance of firecrackers, joyous family reunions, and mischievous children together take on the form of comfort and harmony. It is a time of celebration and hope. This year is different. Signs are posted everywhere encouraging us to wash our hands, wear masks, stay away from crowded spaces. The streets are regularly sprayed down with an ammonia mixture that drowns out any remnants of the bread stands that closed a few weeks ago. Dogs and cats are often more visible than people. The markets of Xizhou (English translation: Happy Town) are still open. Shrouded shadows pass without making eye contact. Pats on the back and handshakes are non-existent. Drowned out by the public announcements calling for vigilance, we struggle to make ourselves heard through our face masks, expeditiously turning away from the thunder of coughs and sneezes. We stealthily make our purchases and return to our homes. I feel safe here, however. Even while we all struggle to respond to the impact of the coronavirus, I believe that everyone is trying their best to ensure that the virus is contained, and the sick are taken care of. I admire the thousands of doctors who have given up their family time (Lunar New Year is meant to be spent with one’s elders) and put themselves in harm's way to help those who are suffering. I only wish that we could do more. These past few weeks have unfolded in a surreal manner. Our hotels were filled with guests, but gradually reservations were canceled, visitors cut their stays short, and transportation links were curbed. Walking through the empty streets of our village makes last month's zeal seem like a dream. We are already seeing cancellations extending to late summer and early autumn. International travelers are making other plans. We are struggling to come up with ways to bring them back to China. We are sending out regular notices to our friends and followers, urging them to be patient and trust that this is only a speed bump. We are submitting articles to media outlets highlighting the intense efforts of the government to control the virus. We are calling on the world to support and stay fully engaged with us and with China. Fear is common during periods like this. But such concern should not lead to discrimination or hasty judgments. Panic and misunderstanding can be just as contagious as disease, and it’s easy to forget that our common enemy is the virus, and not each other. While this virus may have struck China this time, no country is immune to this type of outbreak (see the statistics from America's seasonal flu and H1N1). The Chinese people and the international community can and should come together to manage the outbreak as they have before with others like this. While many in China’s foreign community have sought refuge back in their host countries, we are proud to be staying, standing alongside our Chinese friends and family during this period of crisis. The Chinese government, in the face of massive economic losses, has gone above and beyond to control this disease. The Chinese people have also displayed their extraordinary resilience, as I’ve seen them do time and again throughout my decades-long engagement with this country. We feel safe here. And while there have been disruptions to our daily lives, this is also an opportunity to reflect and connect with each other in ways that may not have been possible before. I have taken the extra time to learn more about my neighbors, my staff, and the town that I’ve called home for over 15 years. I have tackled restoration and painting projects that were impossible to do while we were hosting guests. I return to my room each night exhausted but content in the fact that our complexes are weathering the crisis and proudly awaiting the return of our guests. Camus wrote in his novel, The Plague, "This day. I thought it would be marked by terrible signs- lowering clouds, ominous winds, a crack of thunder…Yet, it is so ordinary a morning that I grow frightened." Life will return to normal here soon. I admire the solidarity of those around me as we all struggle with the unknowns of this virus. Many from the outside may look at us with concern. I wish to tell them that the government is doing everything to control the spread of this disease. Contrary to incessant criticism from the world’s press, China has stood up to the virus. We wear our masks proudly here in Xizhou; we wear them in solidarity with our friends in Hubei. Even though we are far from ground zero, the virus has struck at a fear in all of us. From rural Yunnan, I can only relay words of praise and respect for the Chinese people. Here in Yunnan, sunshine warms the days under the shadow of the snow-capped Himalayas. The fields of rapeseed react to the glow and capriciously unfurl their golden boughs to the skies. Unlike Klaus in The Plague, with every ordinary morning, I grow less and less frightened. Brian
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It’s a great time to visit Xizhou town (approx 70 min car ride from Dali) right now with less tourism post COVID. We loved our stay at the Linden Center, which is an ancient manor beside a rice field at the edge of town. Beautiful place to relax and unwind. There is a great roof terrace to star gaze from, and the entire grounds is really well kept. Staff is very friendly and providing good service to Chinese and non Chinese clientele. Rooms are clean and bathroom has been restored, with good amenities (slippers, toiletries, chinese tea). Cons are that the room is fairly noisy, particularly on the first floor where we stayed, and on the smaller side. But understandable given it’s an authentic ancient manor. Recommend getting them to arrange pick up for you if you are arriving in Dali.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spent 2 nights at the hotel of the Linden center at Xizhou. The place is just amazing and the owners have been so welcoming. It's like living in an little old palace. A very unique experience. While being an historical place, they've made it so welcoming to adults and kids with a play room, yoga room, ping pong and pool tables, a bar. The view on the back o the rice field is amazing. I also recommend to visit and have meals at the other place the Linden owns in Xizhou.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stepping into the Linden Center in Xizhou was like stepping into a literal fairytale world of beautiful traditional chinese architecture, luxurious rooms, and simply excellent hospitality. The staff (most of them speak English) is so nice and happy to help make your stay perfect, and our room was always clean and cozy by the end of the day to return to. A special treat was the complimentary fresh fruit and water that was always replenished in the room every day!
Some highlights of my stay included sitting on the private terrace watching clouds roll over the beautiful mountains, spending time in their library picking out a new book, and riding around the countryside on the bikes provided by the Center. The town of Xizhou was an absolute treat to explore as well. I am most certainly coming back to the Linden Center if i’m ever fortunate enough to visit China again!
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As soon as the restrictions on domestic travel in China were lifted we were desperate for a change of scenery, and the Linden Center was the perfect place to stretch our legs. Coming home from hiking, cycling and exploring the gorgeous old towns and villages in the area to their terrace amidst rice fields between the lake and the mountains was just delightful. The food was delicious too. Brian and Jeanee are consummate hosts, helpful and friendly. I could not recommend the Center more highly.
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Date of stay: June 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Best place to stay in Xizhou. I love the way they pay respect to the original courtyard home while renovating it to provide a comfortable stay. The property is gorgeous and peaceful. Such a sense of place and the local culture. Great local tours. Excellent location in the middle of Xizhou, which is much more interesting and less touristy than the old Dali town. I really need to commend the staff they are top notch all around. Smiles and efficient and warm and kind. They even went out of their way to make a birthday cake during my stay there. We lived in China for a number of years and this place was such a great place to reconnect with the country and its lovely culture and people.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked this place trusting TA's #1 rank and price tag of nearly usd$200.
Location is remote, 30-45min drive away from Dali city centre, this backpacker hostel is one of many in the farm town. No taxis, no public transportation, nothing nearby. Luckily we were dropped off by a car arranged from lijiang. When we arrived we were met by two guys dressed casually.
They took and held our passport while we were shown the room meanwhile my large luggage was dumped outside my designated room's door by one of them.
The building it self is very worn down and difficult to walk through, definitely not for the disabled or elderly to which we are neither of.
The room was small about 20-30sqm and musty, bed and carpet had a layer of dust and dark. The only windows faced to courtyard and could not lock properly leaving me feeling insecure about our belongings and of our safety.
The worst part were the restrictions on everything; * no hot water except for 7-10am and 7-10pm * no smoking in anywhere in complex except the terrace * food only available at specific hours of the day(zero restaurants/shops nearby either) * noise warnings everywhere
I wish I had been warned prior to booking as I would have ran right here at this point. But we were there in person and after seeing the disappointing room and hostel offered we advised within 5min of arrival that we wanted to cancel.
The staff said that it was no problem to cancel and we needed to contact agoda regarding refund. Boy were we wrong. Face to face they say one thing and then turn around, scammed.
While my wife was on the phone finding suitable accommodation and while we were waiting for our transport(arranged by a proper hotel) we could overhear the staff being racist towards us saying we were cheap Chinese from overseas and other disrespectful remarks.
Our visit to Dali is ruined by these folks at "Linden Center". We booked the first flight out paying premium as only first class were available. I now understand why most people avoid Dali, there is nothing here that is not better in other parts of yunnan / china. To be gouged for money by a charge of nearly usd$200 per night for what is essentially a backpacker hostel is enraging. No more of our money and time will be spent here in Dali.
Please understand what you are getting into if you choose "Linden center". It is most definitely NOT A HOTEL, It is a backpacker hostel. There are several "guesthouse" nearby which I bet are willing to offer a better price and offer the same type of accommodation.
Regarding our booking, we were waived the cancellation fee by agoda but not the "Linden center". Agoda advised me that they were still charging us for the night stay. So what the staff of "Linden center" said to me face to face was a lie, they were not willing to refund.
AVOID THIS ONE AT ALL COST.
Linden Trap.
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Date of stay: September 2013
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Craig E, General Manager at The Linden Centre
Responded 13 Sept 2013
Hello from the Linden Centre, we’re very sorry your experience did not meet your expectations. This is our first and only one-star review on Tripadvisior and we take your concerns very seriously. However it is important to emphasize that you did not stay at the Linden Centre and your review is largely skewed by unpleasant experiences you had elsewhere in the Dali region. First regarding transportation. You are correct, we are located in a small country village, and this is part of the appeal of our hotel. Because of this unique location, taxis, buses and other forms of transport are less common than in large cities. However, we can arrange private taxis to and from our hotel from any location in Yunnan, and there are buses from Xizhou to Dali and around the region just a short walk from our hotel. We can arrange transport to/from the bus stop as well. Second, regarding our building and state of your room. The Linden Centre is a nationally protected heritage site that has been painstakingly restored. All rooms, courtyards, and common areas have been remodeled in line with rules set by the China Cultural Bureau to preserve the local culture and history. Because of this, accessibility to the second floor may be an issue for elderly or disabled guests, as you mention. So we always recommend guests with accessibility issues to choose a room on our ground floor, and in the past we have offered free ground-floor rooms to guests who arrived unaware of this issue. Third, regarding our hotel standard operating procedures. As you mention, we generally turn on the hot water in the mornings and evenings, to reduce energy use and lessen our environmental impact. However we also turn on the hot water at any time upon guest request, as was mentioned to you and posted clearly in your room. Also you are correct, there is no smoking allowed in the Linden Centre except in the outdoor areas you mention. We are required by law to be keenly aware of any fire danger and take necessary precautions. Fourth, regarding your refund for your canceled room. We have a standard policy that you agreed to at the time of booking, which is as follows: “Any cancellation received within one day prior to arrival will incur the first night’s charge.” Our staff communicated this to you, and you agreed to this term. Accordingly, you were charged for only the first night of your scheduled stay, due to the last-minute cancellation. Finally, we do not understand your repeated reference to our hotel as a “backpacker hostel”. We do not offer shared rooms other than by request, and none of our rooms have shared bathrooms. We have received honorable mention in both domestic and international publications, including the New York Times, CNN, Travel + Leisure, CCTV, and many others. We are also a “traveler’s choice” award hotel with Trip Advisor. This is based on guest comments and refers to the service levels we provide. If you would like to further discuss your complaints and help resolve any outstanding issues, please contact me at craig.evans@linden-centre.com or +86 0872-245-2988. Thank You
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This past summer, I traveled through over a dozen Chinese cities and stayed in over a dozen different hotels. Some were charming inns, and others were luxurious skyscrapers. Some were just awful. All things considered, though, none of them can beat the Linden Centre.
The Linden Centre has struck a phenomenal balance of luxurious Western amenities coupled with bucolic Chinese charm. Surrounded by beautiful rice paddies and a culturally rich village, the Centre is the perfect place to have a relaxing and memorable Chinese experience. Everyone, from the staff to the villagers, is extremely courteous and respectful. The general manager, Craig, was very generous and helpful during our stay. The staff were all kind to us and we had some great conversations; they even helped correct my Chinese. Most at the Centre speak near-fluent English, so the bar offers a great opportunity to learn about China and meet people.
One should know, however, that noise travels easily through the courtyard. If there are children running around, you can usually hear it. That is not to say, though, that it is hard to find peace and quiet at the Centre. You can easily find escape on the terrace (which has unbeatable views of the rice fields and the village), in one of the courtyards, at the bar, in the library, or in the village itself. The staff also do their best to mitigate the noise, and if there is a problem, they will fix it.
The rooms are very nice, and the bathrooms are fully-equipped by Western standards. The entire complex has good Wifi, too. The only restriction is hot water, which is only on during certain hours. Even then, it should not cause problems if you are willing to adjust accordingly. The Centre's restaurant offers a huge variety of local and Chinese dishes that are worth trying, and there is also the possibility of walking to the market or to a street vendor to get some authentic snacks. I recommend the eggplant dishes--nothing beats Chinese eggplant done right.
I would also highly recommend exploring Xizhou for yourself. Bring a guide (just ask any of the staff--they will be happy to show you around) or head out on your own. Either way, you will find yourself immersed in a near-untouched Chinese village full of temples, farms, markets, and people. Be sure to check out the tie-dye factory which makes Xizhou famous; you can watch it being made and then buy some. It is also fun to go cormorant fishing on the lake, which is beautiful. (These activities and more are not affiliated with the Centre, but you can ask the staff to set up excursions.)
Overall, the Centre and its staff are extraordinary. At the Centre, I experienced better customer service and staff-friendliness than I did anywhere else on my trip through China. This was all topped off by the stunning scenery and village experience surrounding the Centre in the most beautiful part of China I've seen. When you leave you will feel like you are leaving a friend's home, and you can't help but ache to return. I may speak in superlatives, but I can assure you that the impression is genuine.
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Date of stay: July 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You can fly into Dali Airport - DLU is the code. Take care when you book it and don't get confused by the Dalian airport which is close to Korea and far away from Dali. A driver can be arranged to pick you up.
No # San Diego.
Candy from Linden Centre (XiZhou) has responded;
" The WuXi project ceased, with Jeanee + Brian developing two additional sites in XiZhou. BaoChengFu (their 3rd site, opening Jan 2015). Expanding a diverse list of activities already on offer...to include culinary + ceramic workshops. "
hope this helps !
There are more places to choose from in the Dali area.
PRICE RANGE
S$159 - S$203 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the linden centre hotel dali
LOCATION
ChinaYunnanDali Bai Autonomous PrefectureDali
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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