But it turned out that not all the villagers are good at making money. After wandering around a little, I was told by a smartly-dressed attendant at the elevator that entry to the upper floors would cost 260RMB. But I could go up to the restaurant for free, presumably because I’d be spending plenty of money there. Okay, I said, winking, I’m going to the restaurant! Once inside the elevator, I struck up a conversation with the bellhop. He was from elsewhere in Jiangsu province, and came to Huaxicun for the job. He told me his salary was really good. “Can I just take a look around on the top floor?” I asked. Sure. So we got off at the observation deck, and from then on, nobody checked to see if we had tickets. This is in itself is unusual in China, where most places that charge admission also require you to regularly present your ticket for verification. Could the wealthiest village in China really have gotten this rich through such lax business practices? I began to doubt.

Floors translated:

(72) Paradise (Observation Deck)

(71) Prince View (Chinese Restaurant)

(70) Rotating Palace (Rotating Restaurant)

(69) Museum

(61) Flower Garden and Aviary

(60) Gold Floor

(48) Wood Floor

(36) Water Floor

(24) Fire Floor

(12) Earth Floor

(4) Meeting Rooms

(3) Local Flavors Restaurant

(2) Chinese Business Restaurant

(1) Hotel Lobby

(B1) (KTV)