广州咖啡文化季 广州咖主⑯｜他把咖啡馆“种”在了花都风景里Guangzhou Coffee Culture Season - Guangzhou Coffee Master ⑯ - He 'planted' the coffee shop in the scenery of Huadu

On a weekend afternoon, in the valleys of Timian Town, Huadu, Guangzhou, three thousand square meters of native lawns spread out among the layers of mountains, with streams flowing through and camping chairs scattered among the neatly trimmed greenery. A young mother is teaching her child how to identify the aroma in coffee grounds. She exclaimed, "I used to think drinking coffee was indoor, but now it 'grows' in nature

This is the "Xilixili" rural coffee complex hidden by the Shanlin Creek at 142 Fuyuan Road, Timian Town. It is a new outdoor coffee landmark created by Yang Xi, a post-90s returnee manager. From studying abroad to returning to China to start a business, from French desserts to boutique coffee, Yang Xi has infused her love for the mountains, her dedication to her profession, and her deep affection for the hometown of Huadu into cups of rich and flavorful coffee.

Pushing open the door of nature and planting a coffee shop at the foot of Prince Mountain

Driving into the foot of Wangzi Mountain in Tiemian Town, the "Xili Xili" with red brick walls and large areas of floor to ceiling glass comes into view. On the hand-painted murals with tropical charm, elephants, coconut groves, and Thai architecture come to life vividly, complementing the layered greenery outside the window. The "XILIXILI" on the wooden signboard is particularly eye-catching in the light and shadow of the forest, with wicker thatched cottages, wooden trails, and gurgling streams outlining the outdoor space in a staggered and orderly manner.

The lawn is the most generous gift of nature, it's like a huge blank canvas, "Yang Xi recalled. When he first visited Butterfly Valley for inspection, the beautiful scenery of green mountains, clear streams, and over 12000 negative ions per cubic centimeter made him instantly decide to let coffee" grow "in the scenery.

He is determined to break free from the constraints of traditional coffee shop enclosed spaces and design this place as an "outdoor living room" without a ceiling. In just three months, he and his team built this store from scratch - with over 200 sets of outdoor seats and an indoor space of about 250 square meters, capable of accommodating thousands of people at the same time. The activities such as boiling tea in a stove, barbecuing by the stream, camping on the grassland, and pet friendly activities unfold naturally along the lawn, affectionately referred to as "Little Chiang Mai" and "Little Bangkok" by visiting customers. When the caf é debuted in October last year, it quickly became popular, with an average of over a thousand visitors per day during peak holiday periods.

At the scene, the reporter saw that the coffee shop could enjoy mountain views and unique flavors through the glass; The outdoor area is equipped with a riverside trail for strolling, a waterfront platform for up close experience of nature, and fun check-in devices, each detail conveying a sense of relaxation. Yang Xi believes that coffee should be served in places with wind, grass, and sunshine.

The "one-day leisure" routes of hiking along the river, mountain cafes, and mountain homestays are becoming increasingly mature

When I first started my business, there were only two people, and everything had to be done by myself. Now I have a group of like-minded friends. "Yang Xi and the team of" post-90s "and" post-00s "in the store strive for excellence in powder pressing, extraction, and flower pulling.

Product strength is the core of a brand's long-term development. Coffee beans are selected from high-quality production areas around the world, and can be directly harvested from overseas; The barista finely adjusted the extraction parameters and innovatively launched the "one bean, two drinks" special combination, allowing the same bean to present both the pure flavor of hand brewed and the creative taste of special notes. Relying on the professional advantages of the host's French desserts, all desserts and light meals are independently developed by the team, based on classic French formulas and innovatively improved with seasonal ingredients. The taste is sweet and delicate, balancing appearance and flavor, allowing guests to enjoy exquisite taste experiences even in the mountains and countryside.

Our store is definitely not an isolated island, "Yang Xi said. Although "Xili Xili" is located between mountains, waters, and lawns, it is adjacent to the national AAA level tourist attraction Butterfly Valley and the Guangdong Province "Golden Stay" boutique homestay - Love Tree Butterfly Forest, recommended by the Black Truffle Award. So, Yang Xi took the initiative to connect with Butterfly Valley Scenic Area and launched exclusive discounts such as free tickets for full consumption. Previously, the Butterfly Valley 2026 Tour of Prince Mountain Off road Race attracted over a thousand participants from both domestic and international markets. Many contestants went to the store to enjoy coffee and desserts after the race, relieving their exhaustion.

Nowadays, the "one-day leisure" routes of hiking along the river, mountain cafes, and mountain homestays are becoming increasingly mature. Bringing children and pets on weekends, going hiking and playing in the mountains and waters in the morning, daydreaming and savoring in the "Xili Xili" in the afternoon, and staying at the neighboring Aishu Homestay in the evening have become a regular way for many tourists in the Greater Bay Area. Yang Xi said, "Cultural and tourism projects in the same area should empower each other and develop hand in hand, allowing tourists to stay and making the entire area more vibrant

Infuse the fragrance of mountain and water coffee with the taste of the 'Flower Capital'

Currently, I am committed to combining Huadu's original ecological materials with desserts and coffee to promote Huadu's excellent agricultural products, "said Yang Xi. He cleverly combined the characteristic tofu and cheese of the staircase noodles to develop a "Tofu Cheesecake", which is about to be launched fresh. The combination of the tenderness and smoothness of the three spring tofu on the staircase noodles and the richness of the cheese creates a wonderful blend of local flavor and exquisite taste. Next, local agricultural and sideline products such as charcoal taro, Huadu blueberries, and terracotta bamboo shoots will also gradually enter the store, creating a unique "Huadu flavor".

This "coffee+local flavor" model imbues each cup of coffee with a unique "floral flavor". French delicacy collides with rural fireworks, and guests unknowingly enter the customs and traditions of Huadu while drinking coffee and eating desserts. This store is not only a place for leisure and relaxation, but also a window to showcase the new image of Huadu.

In the hearts of many visiting coffee enthusiasts, "Xili Xili" has long surpassed a coffee shop - it is a healing station for urbanites to escape the hustle and bustle on weekends, and a rural link that connects multiple industries such as catering, agricultural products, and cultural tourism. Here, the value of a cup of coffee has long surpassed flavor and price - it is a window to see the city of flowers, but also a possibility to slow down life and reconnect with nature.

Guangzhou Daily Xinhua City Reporter: Dong Yeheng

Photo/Guangzhou Daily Xinhua City Reporter: Wu Ziliang

Guangzhou Daily Xinhua City Editor: Zhang Yu