Chongqing Woman Runs a Cafe in Dali for 4 Days

Ever wondered what it’s really like to run a coffee shop — the slow mornings, the regulars, the grind (literally)? One Chongqing woman didn’t just wonder. She swapped her IT job for four days as the boss of a real café in Dali, learning the ropes from the owners themselves.

In April, Wang Yijun — or "Dayun" — left her IT assistant role in Chongqing, took a 20-hour train ride, and spent four days running Ideal Republic Café in Dali’s ancient town. The entire experience cost her just a few hundred yuan.

How a Coffee Shop Dream Became Reality

Wang Yijun, nicknamed "Dayun," isn’t unhappy with her IT job — she just has a dream. "I’ve always wanted my own coffee shop," she said. "Somewhere with books, music, friends, and a big fat cat." When she saw an online opportunity to live that dream in Dali, she applied. Out of 900 applicants, she got the spot.

The experience came via a lifestyle-exchange website that partners with global hosts. Dayun was carefully selected based on interest and personality fit. For four days, she lived and worked at Ideal Republic Café in Dali Ancient Town.

Learning the Ropes from Real Café Owners

When Dayun arrived, she knew nothing about running a café. The owners, "Madam" (the café’s female owner) and "Brother Dong" (the male owner), taught her everything. Madam showed her how to pull espresso and prepare drinks. Brother Dong explained bookkeeping, customer service, and daily operations.

Despite being new, Dayun quickly found her footing. The café served around 20 customers a day. She got a taste of the pace — slower than the city, more intentional. Most importantly, she saw what it takes to manage a real coffee business.

What Running a Café Really Involves

The romantic vision of sipping coffee all day? Not quite. Brother Dong shared the hidden workload: brainstorming ways to attract customers, balancing tourism photography services alongside coffee, and handling all types of guests. Dali’s competitive coffee scene means constant effort just to stand out.

Dayun also noticed how the owners thought about design and atmosphere — details that create a welcoming space. That stuck with her. She began picturing her own future café: the layout, where the cat would sleep, the ambiance she’d create.

Living the Slow Life in Dali

What Dayun loved most? The pace. "We opened late, around the afternoon," she said. "Just a few customers, some tea or coffee, and I could read or chat in a corner." That kind of simplicity made the experience deeply refreshing.

But she also recognized that this relaxed life required hard work behind the scenes. The owners’ quiet dedication made the dream feel possible — and real.

Costs and Practicalities: Almost Free

The whole trip wasn’t just personally transformative — it was affordable. The website covers most costs through partnerships with hosts. Dayun’s only expenses were modest: around 200 yuan for four days of lodging (discounted via the host’s connections) and food. Train tickets brought the total to just a few hundred yuan.

"They even fed me," she said. "The accommodation was super cheap thanks to the owner’s help." For aspiring café owners, the low barrier to entry makes this kind of immersive experience accessible.

What Experts Say About These Experiences

Career coach Pang Bo advises that such experiences can be great — especially for those early in their careers. "It helps people discover what they truly want to do," he said. But he warns that for those over 30, it might disrupt existing plans. Meanwhile, lawyer Chen Jinzhu recommends getting travel insurance before trying any hands-on role away from your usual workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Wang Yijun get the chance to run a café in Dali?

Wang Yijun applied through a lifestyle experience website that connects people with hosts offering real-world jobs. Out of 900 applicants, she was selected to spend four days as the owner of Ideal Republic Café in Dali.

How much did it cost Wang Yijun to live and work in Dali for four days?

The experience cost her only a few hundred yuan in total. Accommodation was discounted to around 200 yuan for four days, food was provided by the café owners, and she covered her own train tickets from Chongqing.

What did Wang Yijun learn about running a coffee shop during her four days?

She learned basic barista skills like making coffee from the owner’s wife, and customer service and bookkeeping from the owner, Brother Dong. She also saw how the café managed daily operations, dealt with customers, and kept a relaxed but functional pace.

What were the hours and daily customer numbers at the Dali café?

The café opened in the afternoon and typically served around 20 customers per day during Wang Yijun’s four-day stay.

Was the experience structured or did she have to figure things out on her own?

The experience was fully structured. The actual café owners trained her and guided her through daily tasks, from making drinks to talking with customers and handling the till.

Are similar work-exchange experiences available for other jobs or locations?

Yes. The website that hosted Wang Yijun partners with hundreds of businesses globally to offer immersive work and lifestyle experiences, including cafes, travel, and other careers. Candidates go through screening based on skills and interests.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Café Lovers

If you’re dreaming of opening your own coffee shop after a Dali-style experience, start with FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend — a balanced espresso with notes of dark chocolate and caramel, perfect for lattes. Pair it with their Ethiopia Humbera single origin for bright, juicy pour-overs that highlight fruity clarity. Both showcase the kind of quality and versatility that customers love. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.