7 Days Inn Yingshang: Your Secret China Business Trip Oasis!
7 Days Inn Yingshang: My Secret China Business Trip Oasis (Or, How I Survived a Week in the Middle of Nowhere and Actually Enjoyed It. Seriously.)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or, you know, the complimentary tea bags) on 7 Days Inn Yingshang. I'm talking about this place, smack dab in the middle of… well, Yingshang, China. And let me tell you, after a week of navigating this town for a conference, this place wasn't just a hotel, it was a goddamn oasis. A surprisingly well-equipped one, I might add. Forget those soulless airport hotels, this was actually kind of… charming.
Accessibility & Getting There (The Initial Panic)
Okay, confession time: my Mandarin is about as good as a toddler's – meaning I could probably order a juice box and maybe ask where the bathroom is. So, landing in Yingshang was…a moment. Finding the 7 Days Inn wasn't hard, but it wasn't a walk in the park either. I'd recommend using a ride-hailing app (DiDi, if you're smart,) because the taxi situation was a bit…chaotic. The good news? Airport transfer is on the list, which, looking back, I should have totally utilized. Learn from my mistakes, people!
Accessibility specific stuff?: No specific mentions of the level of access on the website, but keep a close eye on it if you have any mobility concerns. Car park [free of charge] is there, so that's a plus if you're renting a car.
Once Inside: The Breath of Fresh Air (Literally!)
The moment I walked in, I was hit with…fresh air. Okay, maybe it was the air conditioning, but after the whirlwind that was getting there, I felt relaxed immediately. The lobby was clean, bustling, and the staff…were actually friendly. Now, bear in mind, this is China, where English isn't always the strongest. But they genuinely tried. Big points for that.
The Room: More Than Just a Bed (Praise the Wi-Fi Gods!)
Let's get to the real deal: Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. I needed that, and it performed. Internet access – wireless AND Internet access – LAN? I'm honestly not sure I fully understand the difference, but I loved knowing I had options! Desk, Laptop workspace, and a socket near the bed? They clearly know who their clientele is! This was my office and I had everything I needed. My room was also stocked with complimentary tea and free bottled water. That was a lifesaver after a long day of meetings.
Room Details and Amenities Rambles:
- Air conditioning: Absolutely essential.
- Alarm clock: Never used it, but nice to have. Always set my phone alarm.
- Bathrobes: Luxurious touch!
- Blackout curtains: SLEEP. Glorious, glorious sleep after those long days.
- Bath tub and separate shower: A godsend after a long day. Nothing beats a hot soak with a cup of tea.
- Bathroom phone: Seriously? I didn't even know what to say to it.
- Closet: Plenty of space for my tragically un-stylish business wardrobe.
- Coffee/tea maker: Got my caffeine fix every morning, and I never had to leave my room!
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless.
- Desk: Again, office space!
- Extra long bed: Finally, a hotel bed that didn't try to swallow me whole.
- Hair dryer: Saved me from looking like a drowned rat in the humidity.
- In-room safe box: Because, you know, paranoia.
- Ironing facilities: Crucial for looking halfway professional.
- Linens: Clean and comfortable.
- Mini bar: Not as exciting as other hotels, but definitely there if you want a snack.
- Reading light: Great for winding down.
- Refrigerator: Kept my water cold.
- Satellite/cable channels: Never watched them.
- Scale: A terrifying reminder of how much I was eating.
- Seating area: Somewhere to dump my bag.
- Slippers: Surprisingly comfy!
- Smoke detector: Always good to know.
- Sofa: Didn't use it, maybe great for families.
- Soundproofing: I slept peacefully every night.
- Telephone: Used it to order room service (more on that later).
- Toiletries: Meh. They were there.
- Towels: Plenty of them!
- Umbrella: Didn't need it, but appreciated the gesture!
- Visual alarm: For any emergencies.
- Wake-up service: Never used it.
- Window that opens: I did open it to breathe fresh (relatively) air.
Cleanliness & Safety: Not a Worry in the World (Except Maybe My Diet)
This is where 7 Days Inn Yingshang really shined. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I was prepared to be anxious. But I wasn't! They were clearly taking sanitation seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff – trained in safety protocol. They weren't messing around! I personally didn't utilize Room sanitization opt-out available, but the thought was there.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Business Trip
Okay, here's the lowdown. The restaurant? It wasn't Michelin-star quality, but it was perfectly acceptable, and a lifesaver. Asian breakfast was available. But let's be real, I mostly stuck to the Western breakfast. The buffet was a godsend, I'm a sucker for the buffet. And that coffee shop? Yeah, I lived there in the mornings.
Here's what I was pleasantly surprised by:
- Breakfast in room: A lifesaver on a few crazy mornings.
- Room service [24-hour]: Perfect for late-night snacks and avoiding venturing back out.
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Crucial for those early mornings.
- Complimentary tea: Saved me a trip to the coffee shop one afternoon.
- Snack bar: Perfect for grabbing a quick bite.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: It has a restaurant, and presumably it fulfills the "on-site accessible" category.
Things to do, Ways to Relax (Or at Least, Try!)
Let's be honest, a business trip isn't exactly a vacation, but 7 Days Inn Yingshang still had some options to unwind.
- Fitness center: I looked at it once. Didn't go in. Judge me. I was there for meetings, not marathons.
- No Pool with view, I probably wouldn't have time anyway.
- Spa/sauna: I would have loved to check it out, I just did not have the time.
- Massage: I probably would have been amazing, I just didn't have the time.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
This is where 7 Days Inn truly made my life easier.
- Air conditioning in public area: Obviously.
- Business facilities: They had everything I needed (the Xerox/fax in business center came in handy).
- Cash withdrawal: So convenient.
- Concierge: Helpful, even with the language barrier.
- Convenience store: Great. Just great.
- Currency exchange: Didn't need it, but good to know.
- Daily housekeeping: Cleaned my room perfectly.
- Elevator: Essential, obviously.
- Facilities for disabled guests: I didn't use them, but good to know they're there.
- Food delivery: Didn't use it, but knowing it was available was great.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Didn't use it either, but worth a look before you leave.
- Ironing service: Saved my butt.
- Laundry service: Essential.
- Luggage storage: Helpful when arriving/departing.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery: I unfortunately did not use these.
- On-site event hosting: My conference did not use any of these facilities.
- Projector/LED display: My conference did not use any of these facilities.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good idea.
- Smoking area: Didn't use it, but it's there.
- Terrace: Probably great to chill out, if I had the time.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a week-long odyssey in Yingshang, China. This isn't your polished travel brochure, folks. This is the REAL DEAL. And trust me, my gut's churning already, just thinking about it. Here's what I think we're doing. Emphasis on think.
Day 1: Arrival… and Existential Dread at the Lanxing Building Materials Market (LBM!)
- Morning (aka, the sun's barely peeked over the horizon and I'm already regretting everything): Flight lands in Hefei, the closest major airport. Pray to the Travel Gods for a smooth arrival. Seriously. My last experience involved a screaming baby, a lost passport (briefly), and inedible airplane food. Let’s just get through this, shall we? Taxi to Yingshang. The drive… well, let's just say the landscape is already intriguing. Like, rural, industrial… and full of possibilities? Or maybe just dust. Time will tell.
- Anecdote: On my last trip to China, I spent a solid hour trying to find the bathroom at the train station. Ended up just squatting behind a bush, clutching my stomach. Charming.
- Afternoon: The LBM! Oh. My. God. Check into that 7 Days Inn. Fingers crossed it’s cleanish. Then, THE MARKET. Lanxing Building Materials Market. This is the reason we’re here. My eyes are already watering. My nose is twitching. Buildings, building supplies, dust, and… well, it's like the entire world of construction materials exploded.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer SCALE of this place is phenomenal. The buildings stretch for as far as the eye can see, filled with stuff you wouldn't even dream existed. Like, what's the market for giant, decorative gargoyles? Apparently, Yingshang.
- Evening: Survival Mode Activated. Dinner at a local restaurant, pray for safe food. Trying some local cuisine. Expecting to be confused, and maybe a little bit grossed out, but also… excited? I really hope excitement is the dominant feeling. I want something spicy, something with actual flavor. Not whatever mystery meat they served on the plane. Attempt to decipher the local language with limited Mandarin skills. Bed. Deep, deep breaths.
Day 2: Exploring the LBM (Again!) & The Art of Haggling (or, How I Ate Humble Pie)
- Morning: Return of the Dust Bunnies… and my sanity (hopefully). Back to the LBM! We've got a mission: Locate specific materials, bargain like a pro (highly unlikely, but I'll try), and stay alive. My goal is to learn some basic Mandarin phrases like "how much?" and "too expensive!"
- Anecdote: I once tried to haggle for a rug in a Moroccan bazaar. The merchant laughed at me. I think he may still be laughing. I'm seriously considering hiring a translator.
- Afternoon: Haggling Hell: Get ready for the negotiation battles. Prices are flexible, and the vendors are good. I'll probably end up paying way too much for everything, but hey, it's all part of the experience, right? Right? I'll try to maintain some semblance of dignity, but I have a feeling it's going to be a lost cause.
- Evening: Victory (Maybe?) & Local Life. Dinner again. I’ll try to be brave. Walking around the town to explore. Trying to soak in the atmosphere. Look for those little hidden gems, the local eateries, the street food stalls. Maybe a quiet bar for a celebratory (or commiserating) drink.
Day 3: LBM Deep Dive & The "Cultural Experience" (Prepare for the Unexpected)
- Morning: More LBM! We're getting serious now. Digging deep into those supply chains. I'm pretty sure I'll look like a walking, talking dust bunny by the end of the day.
- Anecdote: Remember that time I went on a "cultural experience" in Thailand and ended up riding an elephant? It was awesome…until it almost squashed me against a tree.
- Afternoon: Local Culture… or, What Did I Just Eat? I need to be ready. We'll explore something outside of the LBM. A temple? A park? A local farm (maybe!). We'll have to embrace the unexpected! The food will be… interesting. And I'm seriously considering packing a survival kit consisting of Pepto-Bismol and some crackers.
- Evening: Reflection & Recon. Stumbling back to the hotel, mentally and physically exhausted. Dinner again, more new food. Trying to put what I experienced and felt into words. Recon. Figuring out what we'll do tomorrow. Maybe another massage!
Day 4: The Long Haul & A Day of Rest & Exploration (Maybe)
- Morning: Potentially a long drive or train trip to another nearby city or town. It depends where our contacts are. I’m hoping there are at least semi-decent bathrooms along the way. This is the day I’m most likely going to break.
- Afternoon: Unexpected Discoveries. Exploring a new location, seeing some new sites. I really hope it won’t be only LBMs… There are bound to be some surprises, some weird local customs, some stuff that is just… indescribable.
- Evening: Time to Breathe. Getting back to Yingshang, if possible. A long, relaxing bath. Ordering room service. Getting my brain back.
Day 5: The Repeat of the LBM is Inevitable
- Morning: The grind never stops, does it? Back. To. The. LBM. I’ll try to pretend I don’t know my way around, so maybe I can get a different perspective.
- Afternoon: I’ll try to focus on specific categories, but I’m always getting distracted. Also, I’m making friends with the vendors. Maybe.
- Evening: More food, more sleep.
Day 6: Final Push! The Art of the Deal (Take 2)
- Morning/Afternoon: Finishing Business. Last day or so of serious transactions and final research. Hopefully, we've learned something, and will pull off the best deals ever. Maybe.
- Evening: Celebrations (or, Existential Crisis, Part 2). One last, massive dinner. Reflecting on the week. Maybe I’ll actually be proud of myself, or maybe I’ll be hiding under the covers, rocking back and forth, muttering about the sheer chaos.
Day 7: Goodbye Yingshang, Hello Sanity (Hopefully)
- Morning: Up early, making sure we have everything. Last-minute purchases (because, let's be honest, we're gonna forget something). Head back to Hefei for our flight.
- Afternoon: Flight time. Hoping for a smooth flight, and not too many screaming babies.
- Evening: Home Sweet Home. Back to reality. Unpacking, doing laundry, and sleeping until the next adventure calls. And oh boy, am I already going to need to decompress.
This is Yingshang. This is travel. This is me. And I wouldn’t miss it for the world (even though I'll probably complain the entire time.) Wish me luck, folks. I'm going to need it.
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