Cloud-inspired violet structures, colorful terraces, and surreal designs at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse in vibrant landscape.

Dali’s Dream-Like Guesthouse: A Colorful Transformation by MINAX

User avatar placeholder
Written by Flynn Matthews

2026-07-28

Reimagining a local icon

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.

Renovated guesthouse in Dali, showcasing fresh architectural identity and vibrant hospitality setting.
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.
Renovated guesthouse in Dali, showcasing fresh architectural identity and vibrant hospitality setting.
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.
Renovated guesthouse in Dali, showcasing fresh architectural identity and vibrant hospitality setting.
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 and colorful terraces at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, merging design and 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.

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 and colorful terraces at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, creating surreal experiences.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Unique architecture and vibrant landscape create unforgettable Manwu Jimu Guesthouse 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.
Violet forms and terraces at guesthouse blend with imaginative architecture and 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.
Guesthouse with violet-inspired structures, colorful terraces, and dreamy design elements.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Surreal violet structures and terraces merge architecture with landscape at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse.
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 design elements and colorful terraces at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Violet forms and surreal terraces at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse shape a dream-like setting.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Bold violet forms and surreal terraces characterize the imaginative Manwu Jimu Guesthouse.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Creative design at guesthouse mixes violet forms, terraces, and surreal architectural elements.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Violet structures and colorful terraces create a dream-like experience at the guesthouse.
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.

Surreal design ideas and colorful terraces define Manwu Jimu Guesthouse's aesthetic.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
The guesthouse features violet forms, colorful terraces, and dream-inspired architectural choices.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Guesthouse design combines cloud-inspired violet structures with bold decorative elements.
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.

Violet architectural forms and terraces create a unique atmosphere at the guesthouse.
Cloud-inspired violet forms, colorful terraces and surreal design ideas come together at Manwu Jimu Guesthouse, where architecture and landscape create an unforgettable experience.
Violet forms and terraces contribute to the surreal guesthouse ambiance.
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.

Inspired by dreamlike designs, Ayumi Shibata’s surreal landscapes offer stunning worlds using yin and yang elements, perfect for those intrigued by artistic transformations.

A mature tree with violet viewing platforms, overlooking mountains, lake, and 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.
Viewing platforms wrap around a tree, offering views of mountains, lake, and a 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.
Violet platforms surround a tree, offering panorama views of mountains and lake.
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.

Mirror Hall features reflective surfaces amplifying views of mountains, lake, and clouds.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Reflective walls in Mirror Hall enhance views of the surrounding landscape and sky.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Mirror Hall with reflective walls and ceilings offers ever-changing visual experiences.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Reflective surfaces in the Mirror Hall multiply the scenic beauty of mountains and clouds.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Expansive views in the Mirror Hall, with reflections of landscape and sky.
Step inside the Mirror Hall, where reflective walls and ceilings multiply the surrounding mountains, lake and clouds into an ever-changing visual experience.
Violet tunnel and yellow window transform staircase into an architectural highlight.
A dramatic violet tunnel and bright yellow viewing window transform a simple staircase into one of the guesthouse’s most memorable architectural moments.

Photography ©Shan-jian images | Before photos and architectural drawings ©MINAX | Architecture, Interior & Landscape Design: MINAX | Principal Architect: Lu Zhigang | Design Team: Chen Xi, Huang Congyi, Xu Zhanhang, Ji Beifen

Dramatic violet tunnel adds visual interest to a simple staircase with yellow window.
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.

Source: contemporist.com

Frequently asked questions

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.

More in

Architecture

All Architecture

More like this

View of the Nakagin Capsule Tower highlighting its radical architectural vision amidst Tokyo's skyline.

Tokyo's Nakagin Capsule Tower: A Radical Architectural Vision and Its Complex Legacy

Modern cityscape with revitalizing shangyu bold architecture, featuring vibrant urban greenery integrated with sleek buildings.

Revitalizing Shangyu: A Bold Architectural Vision Transforms Urban Spaces

Aerial view of an ultramodern stadium complex, showcasing innovative nfl stadium designs and surrounding landscape.

Cutting-Edge NFL Stadium Designs: Discover Four Iconic Projects Shaping the Future

A beautifully renovated room with Victorian and midcentury modern elements, exemplifying the kentish town home renovation.

Victorian Elegance Meets Midcentury Modern in Kentish Town Home Renovation

Black and white drawing of a bird perched on a leafy plant.

Surreal Monochrome Oracle Deck: Christina Mrozik's Six-Year Journey with Flora and Fauna Fantasies

Former KKK building in Fort Worth being transformed into a vibrant center for healing and arts.

Transforming a Former KKK Building into a Center for Healing and Arts in Fort Worth

Menu