How a 24-Year-Old Built Two Specialty Coffee Shops in China

When you’re hunting for a quiet place to study—or just escape campus life—a good university coffee shop isn’t just about the espresso. It’s about atmosphere, community, and sometimes, a surprise. For students at Guizhou Normal University in Guiyang, China, that place has been (Days in the Clouds), a cozy café run by a former TV host and Tibetan innkeeper who never planned to open a coffee shop at all.

Linzhibai Xue, 24, opened her first coffee shop in September 2012 while still a graduate student. Just over a year later, she opened a second location on the university’s Huaxi campus. Both shops cater to students, offering more than just coffee—they’re spaces for studying, dating, exhibiting art, or even proposing.

From Tibetan Innkeeper to University Café Owner

Born and raised in a small Chinese city, Linzhibai Xue studied broadcasting at Guizhou Normal University. She first gained attention as a fearless emcee—once hosting a comedy show in traditional qipao, joking onstage about her "little belly" when the audience teased her. But her big break came in 2010, when she traveled to Tibet to work as a host for the travel show 《》(Tibet Seduction).

After two years filming high-altitude segments and soaking in Tibetan culture, she opened a Tibetan-style guesthouse called (The Recorder Inn) in 2011 with five friends and a 40,000 RMB loan. The inn became a hub for travelers’ stories—including a man with polio who walked for four years from Fujian to Tibet, and a Hong Kong student who left heartfelt notes under her door every morning.

How a Broken Engagement Led to a Coffee Shop

Back in Guiyang, Linzhibai had planned to partner with a boyfriend on a master’s program in Liaoning. They both got in—but broke up. She transferred back to her undergraduate school and was soon approached by a classmate about renting a vacant storefront near the Baiyun campus. The classmate promised to co-invest, but backed out after Linzhibai invested her entire 100,000 RMB savings from the Tibetan inn into renovations. With only 50,000 RMB more from her father, she went ahead alone.

“I thought we were going to run it together for extra pocket money,” she said. “Instead, I got pushed into being the boss.” The café, , opened in 2012 inside a student dormitory building, its blue-painted walls decorated with Tibetan prayer flags, Buddha statues, and a mural of a coffee cup floating on a cloud.

What Makes Days in the Clouds Different

Unlike corporate chains, Linzhibai designed the café as a flexible space. Students use it to study, play board games, sell flowers, host small exhibits, or even pop the question. The décor blends Tibetan motifs with boho-chic details: strings of beads, sun umbrellas, and soft lighting. Outside, she often jams on guitar with friends.

“I really like giving people surprises,” she said. That includes planning birthday stunts and keeping the space relaxed enough for everyone from PhD students to construction workers. “I can talk about dreams elegantly,” she added, “or sit on the floor eating instant noodles while supervising construction.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What inspired Linzhibai Xue to open her first coffee shop?

Linzhibai didn’t plan to open a coffee shop. After breaking up with her boyfriend and losing a business partner, she used her savings from running a Tibetan guesthouse to open in 2012 on the Baiyun campus of Guizhou Normal University, after being invited by a classmate who later backed out.

Where is located?

The first coffee shop is located on the Baiyun campus of Guizhou Normal University in Guiyang, inside a student dormitory building. A second location opened in 2013 on the university’s Huaxi campus.

What makes the café popular with students?

The café functions as more than just a coffee shop—it’s a space for studying, playing board games, holding art shows, selling flowers, and even proposing. Its décor includes Tibetan cultural elements mixed with a bohemian style, creating a relaxed, creative atmosphere.

Did Linzhibai have any coffee or business experience before opening?

No. Before opening , Linzhibai worked as a TV host in Tibet, ran a Tibetan guesthouse, and was a stand-up comedy emcee. She had no formal training in coffee or business, but used her savings and entrepreneurial instincts to start the café.

How did Linzhibai finance her first coffee shop?

Linzhibai invested 100,000 RMB of her own savings—earned from selling her Tibetan guesthouse—and borrowed 50,000 RMB from her father to open the first after her original business partner pulled out.

What’s the story behind the café’s name?

The café was almost named (Lotus Throne), which means “first love” in Tibetan, but her friends disliked the name. Because the shop is near the Baiyun (White Cloud) area, they settled on (Days in the Clouds), also referencing the movie of the same name.

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