In China, coffee is often associated with a busy office life, overtime, and meeting deadlines. However, in Anji, a picturesque county in Zhejiang Province, coffee paints a different picture—one of natural beauty, poetry, and a serene, idyllic lifestyle. Located just a 30-minute high-speed train ride from Hangzhou, the host city of the upcoming Asian Games, Anji has emerged as a popular travel destination in recent years, thanks to its uniquely located cafés—nestled in forests, beside rice fields, and in valleys.
An Oasis of Calm
For visitors exploring Anji for the first time, discovering cafés hidden in nature is a delightful experience. Many of these establishments are adorned with simple natural elements like flowers and leaves, blending seamlessly with the surrounding woods, mountains, or paddy fields. One tourist from Gansu Province, referred to as Hu, shared her experience of being captivated by a vast expanse of lush, silk-like rice fields and then discovering a café beside them. The Beetle Art Museum Café, located near the paddy fields, features floor-to-ceiling glass windows that allow patrons to enjoy the ever-changing countryside views throughout the year.
Jiang Jingjing, the café owner, noted that most of her customers come from nearby big cities like Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. For these city dwellers, the village café offers a chance to relax and unwind, even if it means doing nothing but enjoying the view for an entire afternoon.
A Different Café Experience
For those seeking a more unconventional café experience, the Boom Café, located in a former quarry pit in rural Anji, offers a striking contrast. Designed as a dark mining space with black walls, tables, and desks, and adorned with a large moon and starry sky ceiling, the café transports patrons into a sci-fi film-like atmosphere. Interestingly, one of the decorations is a black gorilla holding a banner with the message “Do nothing, you’ll live longer”—a motto that resonates with those seeking a respite from their hectic work lives.
A Blooming Transformation
An October 2022 article in the travel guide magazine Lonely Planet recommended several nature-friendly cafés in Anji, stating that the county could be China’s new top café destination, apart from Shanghai. With over 300 cafés, Anji boasts one of the highest numbers of cafés in any Chinese county, according to local government sources.
Remarkably, many of these cafés were repurposed from abandoned factories or constructed on wasteland. One such example is a café named “Cozy,” which was transformed from a dilapidated factory producing swivel chair accessories into a minimalist, Arcadia-like haven surrounded by flowers, grass, and leaves.
Hu Jian, a co-owner of Cozy, recounted how she and her partner spent months and tens of thousands of yuan transforming the factory into a café that would make customers feel comfortable and relaxed.
An Ecotourism Gem
Anji has not always been the ecotourism destination it is today. Two decades ago, mining was the pillar industry of the county. However, a decision by the local government to close the quarry pits and pursue green development led to a transformation. Today, Anji is not only known for its idyllic cafés but also for its lush bamboo forests, grasslands, and river rafting experiences.
Home to bamboo and white tea, Anji offers tourists the opportunity to savor white tea and taste unique bamboo-shoot snacks, making it an essential part of their visit.
In summary, Anji is more than just a collection of cafés. It is a testament to the beauty of transformation and the harmony that can be achieved between nature and human-made spaces. Whether you are seeking a peaceful escape, a unique café experience, or an ecotourism adventure, Anji has something to offer.
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