Nestled in Dali, China, the Manwu Jimu Guesthouse captures the imagination with its surreal and colorful architectural makeover by MINAX. The guesthouse’s transformation combines dreamlike structures and vibrant hues, creating an entirely new experience set against the stunning backdrop of Erhai Lake and the Cangshan Mountains.
A renovation inspired by surrealist art
Once a well-known destination for travelers, Manwu Jimu has seen a renaissance. Originally opened ten years ago, it was time for a revival. The renovation sought not just to refresh but to redefine, drawing from the whimsical influence of René Magritte’s surrealism to blend Dali’s natural beauty with imaginative architecture.
See how a once-famous guesthouse regained its appeal through a complete renovation that gave the property a fresh identity in Dali’s growing hospitality scene.
See how a once-famous guesthouse regained its appeal through a complete renovation that gave the property a fresh identity in Dali’s growing hospitality scene.
See how a once-famous guesthouse regained its appeal through a complete renovation that gave the property a fresh identity in Dali’s growing hospitality scene.
Shifting perceptions with clouds and color
MINAX transforms familiar elements into unexpected forms. Violet-hued, cloud-like structures float above the village, markedly distinct from the stark white neighboring buildings. These soft volumes echo the ever-changing clouds that grace the skies over Dali, introducing a harmonious blend of nature and fantasy.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Subtle violet surfaces interwoven with pale yellow furnishings create stimulating contrasts, infusing each corner with surrealist charm. The interplay of these colors continually engages visitors with its unique visual identity.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
A tree at the heart
A particularly captivating aspect of the renovation is the incorporation of a mature tree, once isolated on the property. The design includes a flowing violet platform that circles its base, repositioning it as a central feature. It offers guests an opportunity to appreciate uninterrupted vistas of the surrounding landscape.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Mirror Hall: A reflection of nature
The second floor houses the Mirror Hall, where mirrored surfaces blur the line between indoors and outdoors. Visitors are enveloped in reflections of the mountains, lake, and vibrant decor, crafting an ever-changing visual journey.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Suites that celebrate natural motifs
Each of the guesthouse’s four suites is a tribute to Dali’s natural wonders: wind, blossom, snow, and moon. Each room is deliberately designed to envelop you in a thematic environment, with the surrounding landscape ever-present through suite windows.
In the Blossom Suite, colored acrylic panels allow light to paint the walls with soft gradients. The Snow Suite mimics mountain snow with hanging perforated panels, while the Moon Suite provides textured warmth and serene views through its timber shell. The Wind Suite captures the sensation of movement with suspended stainless-steel panels that sway gently with the breeze.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Architectural design and landscape integration
Architectural blueprints reveal the innovative ways MINAX integrated new forms and themes with existing structures. The plans show vibrant terraces, the Mirror Hall, and an inviting stairwell that’s as much a part of the scenery as the mountains and lake beyond.
A mature tree becomes the centerpiece of the guesthouse thanks to flowing violet viewing platforms overlooking the Cangshan Mountains, Erhai Lake and the reflective pool.
A mature tree becomes the centerpiece of the guesthouse thanks to flowing violet viewing platforms overlooking the Cangshan Mountains, Erhai Lake and the reflective pool.
A mature tree becomes the centerpiece of the guesthouse thanks to flowing violet viewing platforms overlooking the Cangshan Mountains, Erhai Lake and the reflective pool.
An ever-evolving experience
The transformation of Manwu Jimu Guesthouse offers a compelling architectural narrative where each room and passage presents a new opportunity to encounter the interplay of light and landscape. Visitors experience a continuously evolving spectacle as they wander through its imaginative spaces.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
A dramatic violet tunnel and bright yellow viewing window transform a simple staircase into one of the guesthouse’s most memorable architectural moments.
A dramatic violet tunnel and bright yellow viewing window transform a simple staircase into one of the guesthouse’s most memorable architectural moments.
For more art that transforms familiar concepts into surreal experiences, explore the surreal world of Ingo Lindmeier, offering a fresh perspective on reality.
What inspires the design of Manwu Jimu Guesthouse?
The design of Manwu Jimu Guesthouse is inspired by surrealist art, particularly the whimsical influence of René Magritte’s surrealism. It blends Dali’s natural beauty with imaginative architecture to create a unique experience.
How does MINAX incorporate nature into the guesthouse design?
MINAX incorporates nature into the guesthouse design by using cloud-like structures and a mature tree as central features. The Mirror Hall on the second floor also blurs the line between indoors and outdoors with mirrored surfaces reflecting the surrounding landscape.
What themes are the guesthouse suites based on?
The guesthouse suites are based on the natural wonders of Dali: wind, blossom, snow, and moon. Each suite is designed to create a thematic environment, using elements such as colored acrylic panels, perforated panels, and textured timber shells to reflect these motifs.
