Discovering Southern China

Overview

As the only new building on Shanghai’s historic and famous street, The Bund, The Peninsula Shanghai stands out among the rest as a beacon of modern luxury.

A truly modern and luxurious Art Deco masterpiece, all rooms are thoroughly elegant in design with neutral tones, accent colours and luxurious fabrics. Some rooms offer unparalleled views of the Huangpu River and the ever-changing skyline of Pudong, while others offer soothing green vistas of trees, overlooking the historic Wai Bai Du iron bridge among other skyline highlights.

Wining and dining here are guarantee to delight, from dining on Modern European cuisine under chandeliers at the glamourous Michelin-starred Sir Elly’s Restaurant to all day international cuisine at The Lobby, as well as a range of sophisticated drinks to be enjoyed at the 1920’s inspired bar Salon De Ning.

Guests can wind away a day of sightseeing, by resting both the mind and body at the Art Deco-themed Peninsula Spa which offers a range of holistic healing treatments and modern therapies.

Wake up feeling refreshed with laps or a leisurely dip in the indoor heated swimming pool, which boasts an adjoining roof terrace with stunning views of the city.

Overview

The Waldorf Astoria Shanghai, found in the prime waterfront location on the Bund, just five minutes away from Nanjing Road and the tranquil Yu Garden, truly boasts an old-world glamour. This glamour is no doubt derived from its careful restoration and origins in the Shanghai Club, built in 1911, which was known for its neo-classical style and architecture.

Here you will find 260 luxurious guest rooms and suites which blend old-world charm with a modern edge. Each room has marble-finished spacious bathrooms and services include a personal concierge who shall anticipate your every wish.

Waldorf Astoria’s Pelham Restaurant is a fantastic option for fine dining, where you can indulge in French cuisine or regional Chinese cuisine. For after meal drinks, head to the historic and award-winning Long Bar, which offers beautiful sweeping vistas of the river and a varied and exotic drinks menu.

For quick refreshments throughout the day, visit the tranquil Library Lounge where you shall always find free coffee, tea and snacks.

This city is known for its high energy, however if you run out of yours after a busy day of exploring, head to the heated indoor pool and flick through the vast menu of restorative treatments at the stunning Waldorf Astoria Spa.

Overview

Set on the outskirts of downtown Shanghai, surrounded by verdant camphor trees in a pristine setting of ecological focus, Amanyangyun is the striking result of an ambitious architectural undertaking. Involving the restoration of 13 Ming and Qing dynasty villas, moved brick-by-brick from the southern city of Fuzhou, guests are offered a fascinating glimpse into China’s past, all amid comfort and luxury.

In addition to the 13 antique villas, there are also 24 contemporary suites, which include the likes of living areas with a fireplace, private courtyards and outdoor bathtubs. The villas range from one to five bedrooms and benefit from exclusive use of the villa area’s pool, Jacuzzi and garden. Throughout the villas and suites, guests will enjoy a refined contemporary design, alongside a nature-inspired aesthetic that achieves peaceful seclusion.

An extensive range of dining options are on offer at the hotel, with delicious Chinese dishes provided by Lazhu, sumptuous Italian fare served by ARVA and tasty Japanese cuisine the focus of NAMA. For refreshments and the likes of afternoon tea, The Bar is the ideal venue, while the Cigar Lounge presents premium drinks and light meals.

Amanyangyun’s huge spa and wellness complex can be found set around the central courtyard, complete with countless treatment rooms, relaxation lounges, pools, a fitness centre and a pilates and yoga studio. For something slightly different, Nanshufang is the hotel’s cultural hub, presenting a space for contemplation, as well as discovery of Chinese traditions such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy lessons and brush painting.

Overview

Aptly found in the middle of Shanghai in a historic lane-house location, The Middle House offers guests a luxurious space which epitomises urban sophistication. It provides a much needed oasis, with its abundance of outdoor terraces, amidst the bustling backdrop of one of China’s largest city.

The design of the hotel was inspired by the city’s rich heritage of craftsmanship, and combines a minimalist style with various modern interpretations of traditional Chinese elements. Here you will find a varied collection of four studios, a Gallery Suite and a Penthouse Suite. All offer a complimentary Maxi Bar, as well as generous-sized windows with stunning views of the city, while some boast private outdoor spaces to allow you to immerse yourself in the Shanghai skyline.

Food lovers can delight in the vast range of restaurants, bars and international cuisine here. For contemporary Italian cuisine and a selection of fine wines there’s no better place than the casual yet sophisticated Frasca Italian Restaurant. However if you wish to explore China’s culinary highlights head to Sui Tang Li where you can indulge in authentic Chinese cuisine inspired by Cantonese, Sichuan and of course, Shanghainese delicacies. Meanwhile, Cafe Grey Deluxe showcases seasonal ingredients and is the perfect spot to grab breakfast or a cocktail at sunset on its beautiful terrace.

Overview

Amandayan can been found atop Lion Hill in the heart of Lijiang. While it is leading the way in bringing 21st-century luxuries to Lijiang, such as a private cinema and modern outdoor pool, Amandayan feels every bit a part of the Old Town as the charming historical bridges and cobbled streets found here.

Guests can relax in its tranquil courtyards and traditionally designed suites with wooden features and intricate carvings made from local Yunnan pine and Dong Bei elm, fully in keeping with the Nakhi people’s use of timber for construction and art.

It offers three styles of suite, with 35 suites in total, all of which offer their own courtyard or terrace from which you can enjoy the mesmerising views of Lijiang’s rooftops, Lion Hill, the Old Town and the majestic mountains in the background.

After working up an appetite exploring the wonders of Lijiang, head Amandayan’s main restaurant, Man Yi Xuan, where you can delight in Nakhi cuisine, created locally grown ingredients. For a delightful immersion into the world of Chinese tea, head to the Tea House where you can indulge in an assortment of teas as well as dim sum, sandwiches, cakes and pastries both indoors and out with views of Lijiang’s old town.

To achieve full body relaxation, head to the Aman Spa where you can indulge in a selection of traditional Chinese therapies. If you are feeling active, the spa also has a 20-metre heated pool, a fully equipped gym and Pilates studio.

Overview

Found at the foot of the fantastically named Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Banyan Tree Lijiang decorates the already mesmerizing landscape. Its regal combination of traditional style buildings and modern-day luxury perfectly evoke a romanticised sense of a bygone kingdom; specifically that of the Nashi (also sometimes referred to as Nakhi) people.

Rooms here are palatial in their own right, borrowing from elements of Nashi architecture such as perfect symmetry, elegant pillars and subtly carved poles. Here you can absorb panoramic views of the legendary Jade Dragon Snow Mountains from your plush king-sized bed, as well as bask in the beauty of your carefully tended private gardens, relax in the private outdoor heated pools and individually tailor your comfort with a thoughtful pillow menu. Rooms are decorated with dark woods and red hues, known in China as the traditional symbolic colour of happiness, and a stay here is sure to instil such a thing.

Dining here is just as perfected as the hotel’s aesthetic, atmosphere and luxury. Here you can indulge in the best of the local cuisine in the hotel’s two restaurants, or enjoy a unique gourmet dining experience in a pagoda under the moonlight.

Here you can indulge the senses at the Banyan Tree Spa, enjoy a class of yoga, along with a range of guided tours of Lijiang by both bike and foot, or revitalize with a game of tennis on the on-site courts that benefit from a breathtaking backdrop of the mountains.

Guests can also visit the Banyan Tree Gallery, which is filled with an enchanting collection of handicrafts, resort apparel and signature spa amenities, letting you take a little piece of this tranquil paradise home with you.