ABOUT US

History & Mission

Built in 1785, Eight Blessings Inn was originally a traditional two-story home called Mao De Tang. We restored the building with care to preserve its historic character while creating a space that feels simple, elegant, and warm.

At Eight Blessings Inn, we invite guests to slow down and enjoy a natural, healthy, and restorative way of living. Surrounded by the tranquility of the village and thoughtful hospitality, the Inn offers a peaceful retreat to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate.

In 2023, the Inn was recognised as a Cultural Themed Homestay by the Zhejiang Tourism Homestay Inn Federation.

Courtyard with wooden doors, brick walls, and a small outdoor table under bright sunlight

Rustic hotel lobby with wood beams, stone columns, bar counter, seating, and warm lighting

Ornate carved wooden bracket under a thatched roof beam in a rustic structure

Traditional wooden building with layered gray tile roofs under a bright blue sky

Window view of snowy rooftops and trees, seen from a bathroom with a round mirror and sink.

From Past to Present

Before the takeover in 2018, the 240-year-old courtyard house, Mao De Tang, was in a severely dilapidated state when JoAnn Leung assumed ownership. Renovation efforts began in mid-December 2019, starting with only the floor layout plans. Niko Leung was invited to assist with soft furnishings and took the initiative to create all the detailed working drawings.

Old stone house with a tiled roof and small tower in a sunny rural courtyard

Old wooden courtyard with weathered beams, carved balconies, and a damp, empty ground floor

Dim, narrow interior with metal framework, hanging chains, and light from a small window at the far end

Dilapidated wooden courtyard with collapsed roof, debris, and exposed beams in an old building

Narrow sunlit alley between wooden and concrete buildings with a few hanging items and weathered walls

View from a window into a rustic wooden courtyard with tiled roofs and weathered buildings.

During the design phase and renovation period (12/2019-3/2020), Niko fully embraced and aligned with JoAnn’s operational philosophy for the homestay. Both shared a deep respect for heritage architecture, which led to the preservation of the original structure and the open courtyard atrium. Niko optimized the existing floor plan and natural light, while also providing unique insights into color palettes and material choices.

However, due to COVID, Niko was unable to be on-site to oversee the progress, requiring JoAnn to independently tackle the challenges that arose and make decisions in order to meet the design specifications.

Person standing in a dim courtyard before a large wooden building with open doors and tiled roof

Traditional Japanese-style courtyard with wooden balconies, tiled roof, and softly lit entrance doors

Black-and-white architectural floor plan showing two apartment layouts with rooms, stairs, and furniture placement.

Isometric cutaway of a small apartment floor plan with labeled rooms, plus a black rectangular object nearby

Isometric room interior with stairs, wooden table, hanging light, beams, and a door.

Chinese material color palette with wood, stone, and fabric texture swatches in beige, brown, green, and black tones

Embracing a lifestyle ethos centered on minimalism, authenticity, and wellness, Eight Blessings Inn is dedicated to environmental respect and harmony with nature, devoid of excessive embellishments. Natural materials take precedence in all finishing and furnishings: walls adorned with natural clay plaster, airy linen curtains for summer, and vintage solid wood furniture grace the space. The original wooden beams and supports have been preserved, reviving the historic building to its fullest potential.

Upon completion, the interiors exude a tranquil, warm, soothing, and inviting ambiance.

Sunny courtyard with wooden beams, potted plants, and open doorways leading into a rustic home.

Dim hallway interior with bookshelves, warm lighting, and a yellow chair near a doorway

Rustic bedroom with wood beams, twin beds, and warm wall lighting

White house with brown door behind leafless trees and shrubs in a yard under a clear blue sky

Warm, upscale dining room with wooden tables, candles, hanging lights, and large windows overlooking greenery

Shen'ao Ancient Village

Shen’ao Ancient Village is a place where time seems to slow down, inviting visitors to step into a world shaped by nearly a thousand years of history. Its quiet lanes, weathered walls, and ancient buildings carry the charm of generations past, while more than 140 well-preserved structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties give the village a remarkable sense of authenticity and atmosphere.

Beyond its historic architecture, Shen’ao remains a living village, where local traditions, crafts, and daily life continue to shape its character in subtle but meaningful ways. It is not only a destination to admire from afar, but a heritage landscape to experience, explore, and feel deeply.

Shen’ao Ancient Village was officially nominated by the government as one of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Villages in 2007 and

it is the only destination recommended by the National Geographic Magazine in 2021.

Aerial view of a town with a central pond, surrounded by houses and mountains in the distance

Lakeside village with buildings and mountains reflected in calm water under cloudy skies

Cultural Experience

Tonglu and Shen’ao Village offer a mix of slow-living, culture, and outdoor experiences throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy tea time, heritage walks, local craft-making workshops, dumpling classes, hiking, fishing, and more experiences that reflect local heritage during their stay.

Seasonally, the area also comes alive with special activities such as tea picking in spring and rice harvesting in autumn. Guests can also enjoy streamside relaxation, and nature-based outings that highlight the changing landscape and gentle pace of Tonglu.

People sharing a meal and preparing food at a long table in a bright dining room

People standing in a yard facing a man by a white building with trees and stone steps.

People wading in a shallow stream beside a stone wall and steps on a sunny day

Hands carving a design into a tan fruit on a wooden table, with another fruit nearby.

People sharing tea and snacks around a table in a bright dining room