Yangzi Explorer

Set close to the heart of Beijing, overlooking the striking Forbidden City which is recognised as the world’s largest palace, the Mandarin Oriental Beijing presents a luxurious, exclusive and memorable base in China’s fascinating capital.

The superb vantage point ensures that guests can enjoy incredible views throughout much of the hotel, with the nearby cityscape blessed by an architectural portfolio containing the likes of temples palaces, mansions and museums. Many of these views can be absorbed from the hotel’s 73 rooms and suites. Stylish and comfortable, the décor in the guest rooms and throughout the hotel blend contemporary design with authentic Chinese aesthetics.

Numerous dining experiences are on offer at the hotel, starting at the celebrated Café Z, serving culinary creations from a Michelin-star chef with a focus on Cantonese specialities, while the Mandarin Grill & Bar presents classic dishes such as steaks and seafood. For evening drinks, Mo Bar has an extensive cocktail and whisky list, while relaxed hot drinks are best enjoyed in The Library, a quiet place to pass the time over a tea or coffee.

For a touch of rest and relaxation after busy days wandering the historic and culture-rich streets of Beijing, the hotel is equipped with a superb spa. Boasting modern facilities offering a range of world-class treatments including traditional Chinese techniques, the spa is the perfect means for recharging your batteries.

Eschew the frenzied pace of Shanghai’s city centre for a more serene atmosphere at this beautifully preserved historic hideaway in the Xuhui District. Traditional shikumen-style townhouses, which were built in the 1930s by French settlers, now encompass 55 elegantly presented villas.

The interior of each one, two or three-bedroom villa is reflective of the city’s former French influence, and further enhanced with marble bathrooms, modern comforts and traditional Chinese touches. Positioned across several levels, the accommodation, some of which features living rooms and rooftop terraces, still retains its original red-wood framed windows that open up to reveal charming garden courtyards.

In-room dining is available, or you can feast on refined French innovations at the Michelin-starred Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire. You can also enjoy a taste of baked French goodness from Le Boulangerie, and sip your way through the cocktail menu on the expansive leafy terrace, or in the polished low-lit bar, serving up the ultimate post-dinner tipples.

An award-winning spa will have you breathing easy again, with its selection of holistic treatments, relaxation lounge, vitality pool and floatation tank. If you want to get more active, there is a 24-hour state-of-the-art gym, which also hosts private yoga sessions. Otherwise, the dedicated Capella team can arrange guided tours of the estate and the local area, cooking and painting classes, as well as rum-tasting.

Just outside the famous Yangshuo West Street by the Li River, you’ll discover a rich history at the wonderfully luxurious Alila resort, which has been beautifully renovated from what once was a working sugar mill.

The hotel is an architectural masterpiece; a modern retro resort that uses a stylish simplicity to instil a sense of tranquillity indoors, perfectly matching the picturesque setting of greenery and dramatic karst mountains that surround you.

In keeping with the natural world around it, the main guestroom building uses a combination of local stone and bamboo. Meanwhile the 117 rooms and suites feature large open spaces with simple colour palettes and bathrooms boasting rain showers and twin bathtubs, perfect for achieving true relaxation.

The outdoor centrepiece is undoubtedly the hotel’s large pool, which beautifully reflects the mountains and the hotel lights come evening.

For dining, be sure to head to the historical Sugar House restaurant, housed in the old sugar pressing room. It features an outdoor dining terrace surrounded by lush greenery and offers a seasonal farm-to-table menu that uses fresh, local ingredients. A stay here is not complete without a visit to the 1969 Bar, which boasts its own-house rum distillery and its own unique cocktails focused on the theme of sugar and rum as a nod to the hotel’s past.

Or why not head down the stone spiral staircase to the underground Spa Alila, which has been inspired by Yangshuo’s karst caves and uses local ingredients in a wealth of rejuvenating treatments?

Also be sure to enjoy a range of fitting activities here, from yoga to rock climbing and even handmade syrup making, to truly get a taste of Yangshuo.

The first glamping boutique resort in Shangri La, this seven-hectare site is set upon sprawling meadows surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains, presenting an isolated escape on the outskirts of the historic old town. For guests, relaxation and rejuvenation come effortlessly, anchored by the philosophy of feeling and embracing the essence of Tibetan life. This cultural and adventurous experience is made all the more memorable by the peaceful, secluded and natural setting.

Consisting of four tented villas and nine rooms set within a 150-year-old refurbished Tibetan residence, the dominating theme throughout is that of old-world charm mixed with contemporary design. The tents allow guests to glamp under the stars, reflecting the livelihood of the Tibetan nomads, but enhanced by modern comforts which include heated mattresses, convenient furnishings and fireplaces. The rebuilt Tibetan residence was transported log by log from its original location and today houses nine unique guest rooms and many charming and cosy communal areas.

When it comes to dining, the resort employs a farm-to-table philosophy, utilising fresh and local ingredients from its own organic garden within an open-concept kitchen with communal dining. There is also a bar where guests can enjoy some local liquor and craft beers, as well as grab a good book to read from the library.