Armin Schober (L), Huang Qiong (R), and their daughter Alina (M) take a group photo during the 2025 Chinese New Year. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]
In the autumn-hued village of Tachuan in Yixian county, Huangshan, Armin Schober, an Austrian, and his Chinese wife, Huang Qiong, run a homestay which combines traditional Chinese architecture with Western interior design.
In 2021, Armin traveled with his family to Tachuan, where they were awestruck by the picturesque landscapes and distinctive local culture.
Soon after, the couple opened Alina's Garden, a guesthouse in a 200-year-old Huizhou-style building.
The homestay was named "Alina's Garden" after the couple's daughter.
With 13 rooms blending Western and Chinese elements, including a Western restaurant, the inn has become a hotspot for photographers and travelers drawn by Tachuan's famed autumn views.
In 2023, they expanded their business with Alina's Pizza and Cafe in Hongcun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which quickly gained popularity. Armin also volunteers to teach English to local merchants so that they can more easily communicate with foreign tourists.
"This place feels like home," Armin says. With Hongcun becoming increasingly popular among foreign tourists, he decided to offer free English classes in his shop every Thursday night. Owners of other shops, village cadres, and even tourism practitioners are among his students.
"We hope more visitors will experience Hongcun's magic," he adds.
Recently, a team of Austrian journalists visited Hongcun to document Armin's story, while showcasing the region's breathtaking landscapes and traditional Chinese culture.
His journey has not only drawn attention from media in both Austria and China but has also become a bridge for cultural exchange, offering a window for mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Austria.
Alina's Garden has a Western interior design. [Photo/Huangshan Daily]