A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, opened in January. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture of Yunnan province was put into use earlier this month, offering an entertaining and relaxing space for locals and tourists.

The area is 1 kilometer north of Lunshui and near the Xiaoshaba Bridge. It has a service building, hotel, bed-and-breakfasts, exhibition hall of Nujiang and a riverside footpath. The designer said the construction blends the natural landscape in a harmonious way — a garden on the roof of a house, paths in the grass and along waterways and a platform from which to view the river. The purpose was to preserve the original ecology while offering a relaxing space for visitors.

Designers said the area features the styles of the Lisu and Nu ethnic groups. Intelligent devices were also introduced, including facial recognition to check in to the hotel, voice-controlled electric lights and curtains and WiFi services available everywhere.

A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, opened in January. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, opened in January. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, opened in January. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, opened in January. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, opened in January. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, opened in January. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A high-end service area along a highway in Nujiang Lisu autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, opened in January. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]