How a Tibetan Innkeeper Built Two Student Coffee Shops in China

When you’re trying to run a coffee shop on a university campus, you’re not just selling coffee—you’re offering a space where students can study, flirt, play games, even propose. That’s the reality for Lin Bai Xue, who at 24 opened her first coffee shop in Guiyang, China, inside a student dorm complex, then added a second location near a university campus just five years later.

The short answer? She turned a leftover rental space into a thriving café by mixing Tibetan travel stories, student-budget pricing, and a willingness to let the space host everything from exhibitions to impromptu guitar jam sessions—with zero prior business plan.

A Career in Hosting Leads to Tibet

Lin Bai Xue was studying broadcasting at Guizhou Normal University, where she made her name as a relentless emcee—doing unpaid gigs just for stage time. Her breakout role? Hosting a crosstalk (xiangsheng) comedy show at Guiyang’s Chunqian Theater, where she became known for improvising with all-male casts and even cracking jokes about her own wardrobe malfunctions.

In 2010, after topping her class, she jumped at a chance to host a travel show for Tibet TV—Tibet Seduction—despite having no prior experience in the region. That job led her to spend two years in Tibet, filming at high altitudes, often running in thin air until she got nosebleeds, while also soaking in the slower pace of life in local cafés.

From TV Host to Innkeeper

By 2011, Lin had an idea: open a Tibetan-style guesthouse. With four friends and a 40,000 RMB loan (about $6,400), she rented an ancient Tibetan villa, renovated it simply, and launched Recorders Inn. The real profit wasn’t just in room rates—it was in the stories. She hosted everyone from a paralyzed man who walked for four years from Fujian to Tibet, to a Hong Kong student who left love notes under her door every morning.

“One guest drove all the way from Tibet in a bread van with friends to celebrate their honeymoon,” she recalled. “I was laughing—but also proud. That was us. That was Guizhou.”

The Accidental Coffee Shop Owner

Back in Guiyang, Lin planned to pursue a master’s degree and maybe team up on a coffee shop with a friend. That “maybe” turned into a 100,000 RMB investment (about $16,000) when her would-be partner backed out after she signed the lease for a prime spot beneath student housing at the university’s Baiyun campus. With her savings from Tibet gone, her father loaned her 50,000 RMB to finish the buildout.

She named the shop Days in the Clouds, inspired by the Italian film but chosen over her original idea, “Lotus Seat” (a Tibetan romantic phrase), after classmates vetoed it. The café quickly became a hub—not just for caffeine, but for students seeking a place to play board games, exhibit art, sell flowers, or even get engaged. The walls are decorated with Tibetan prayer flags, Buddha statues, and malas. Outside, Lin sometimes strums a guitar with her staff.

“People ask me how I juggle classes, work, and this place,” she said. “I can’t even put on makeup some days. I’m rushing between campuses like I’m in a race.”

What Makes Days in the Clouds Work?

The café thrives not because it’s the cheapest or trendiest, but because it’s adaptable. Lin keeps prices accessible for students, but also turns the space into whatever the community needs: a co-working nook, a pet-friendly lounge, an art gallery, or a wedding proposal backdrop. She’s unafraid to lean into the unexpected—like surprising a friend with a rose-bearing handsome stranger on her birthday.

“I love making people feel something,” she said. “That’s why I host, why I tell stories, and why this café isn’t just about coffee.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Lin Bai Xue start in the coffee business?

Lin didn’t set out to open a coffee shop. After returning from Tibet, she planned to study for a master’s degree and was offered a lease on a student-housing retail space by a classmate. With no partners left and her Tibet savings gone, she used her remaining funds and a 50,000 RMB loan from her father to open Days in the Clouds in 2012 as a last-minute business venture.

What was her first business before the coffee shop?

Her first business was a Tibetan-style guesthouse called Recorders Inn, which she opened in 2011 at age 21 with four friends and a 40,000 RMB loan. Located in Tibet, the inn hosted travelers and gave her firsthand experience in hospitality and storytelling.

Why did she choose the name 'Days in the Clouds' for the coffee shop?

She initially wanted to name it “Lotus Seat,” a Tibetan phrase meaning “first love,” but her peers disliked the idea. Since the shop is located near the Baiyun campus and she was inspired by the film Days in the Clouds, she went with that name instead.

How does she manage school, work, and the coffee shop?

It’s a constant balancing act. Lin commutes between her hometown (Xiuxiu), her graduate school (Baodian campus), and the coffee shop (Baiyun campus). She describes her schedule as non-stop, often rushing between locations without time to even put on makeup, while juggling roles as both shop manager and class monitor.

What’s the concept behind Days in the Clouds?

The coffee shop functions as a multi-use space for students. In addition to serving coffee, it’s a place for studying, playing board games, hosting small exhibitions, selling flowers, or even proposing. The décor includes Tibetan cultural elements like prayer flags and Buddha statues, creating a cozy, creative atmosphere.

Does Lin have plans to expand the coffee shop further?

Yes. She hopes to keep the business going, expand beyond the university area, grow in Guiyang, and eventually open more locations across China.

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