Chinese Hotel Resorts That Will Turn Your Head Eastwards | HuffPost Life

Reasons To Head Far, Far East For Your Holiday

Sarah O'Meara— The Huffington Post UK

|

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa

Now if you've seen the news in past years, you'll know that China's no picnic to travel around. Particularly on any national holiday.

You can expect busloads of visitors at every tourist attraction, a disproportionate amount of posing in front of historic monuments, and scant regard for littering policies.

LOOK: The Top Beach Hotels In Britain

However, this remains an utterly incredible country that never fails to excite the imagination of travellers.

So how can you enjoy the country's most magical aspects -- its historical architecture, economic revival, and poetic landscapes -- without losing your mind among millions of others trying to do the same?

The answer is simple: Find an innovative, hotel resort that knows how to turn the destination of your dreams into a holiday reality.

Here is our pick of terrific (and admittedly, mostly not cheap) resorts that can help bring China alive, whether you want cocktails with a view, serene temples tucked away in the hills or a megacity experience.

Most Stunning Hotels In China

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa(01 of27)

Situated on the banks of Dongqian Lake, which translates as ‘lake of money in the east’, this stunning resort near the city of Ningbo is just two hours by bullet train from Shanghai.Surrounded by mountains and overlooked by the tea plantations of Mount Fuquan, the scene is straight out of a classical Chinese painting.The resort has been created in the style of a traditional, Chinese water village made up of low-level villas with simply plastered exteriors and tiled, gabled roofs.Within the resort are original, historic buildings, such as a family mansion, which have been carefully restored. And there are also sublime modern additions, such as the stunning indoor swimming pool and outdoor infinity pool.Click here for more information. (credit:Park Hyatt)

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa(02 of27)

(credit:Park Hyatt)

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa Tea House(03 of27)

(credit:Park Hyatt )

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa(04 of27)

(credit:Park Hyatt )

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa(05 of27)

(credit:Park Hyatt )

Angsana Tengchong(06 of27)

In the summer of 2013, Angsana Hotels and Resorts launched its first hot spring destination retreat in Tengchong, Yunnan in Southwest China.The Angsana Tengchong Hot Spring Village is situated in a valley near the western edge of the Yunnan province, offers 28 Hot Spring Retreats (suites with balconies) and nine villas, each with private hot spring tubs.The resort features the spacious Angsana Spa and an array of 43 outdoor and indoor hot spring pools. (credit:Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts)

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa(07 of27)

(credit:Park Hyatt)

Bed In A Cave(08 of27)

"The Bed in a Cave" is an incredibly unique 300-year-old cave situated 40 minutes outside of Xi'an in central China.Come and experience Chinese country life by staying with the Wang Family, who are happy to arrange trips and tours of the local area. The cave has sleeps 6, has western toilets and electricity... but no hot water.For more details go to www.holidaylettings.co.uk. (credit:HolidayLettings.co.uk)

Amanfayun(09 of27)

Chill out in a former 700-year-old Chinese village that has been artfully transformed into a mesmerising rural spa retreat in Eastern China. The Amanfayun resort is an idyllic enclave situated just minutes away from breathtaking temples, stunning views of tea fields, and the heart of the former Imperial city of Hangzhou.Click here to read more about Amanfayun: (credit:Aman Resorts)

Amanfayun Swimming Pool(10 of27)

(credit:Aman Resorts)

Amanfayun Temple(11 of27)

(credit:Aman Resorts)

Amanfayun Tea Fields(12 of27)

(credit:Aman Resorts)

Yanqi Lake Kempinski Hotel Beijing(13 of27)

Opened at the end of May this year, the newest Kempinski Hotel is located in the heart of scenic Yanqi Lake, north of Beijing.With magnificent views of the lake, mountains and natural gardens, the hotel is located approximately 25 kilometres from The Great Wall, and embodies the shape of the rising sun.The hotel's architecture symbolises harmony, unity and infinity, and from a side-angle view is shaped like a scallop, which represents ‘Fortune’ in Chinese culture.Click here for more information. (credit:Kempinski Hotels)

Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing(14 of27)

The pavilions in this resort were originally used by guests awaiting an audience with the Empress Dowager Cixi who lived in the Summer Palace, until close to her death in 1908.This serene retreat, with peaceful internal courtyards embracing traditional Chinese architecture, provides easy access to such cultural landmarks such as the Great Wall, The Temple of Heaven and the hutongs, as well as Beijing’s restaurants, art galleries and nightlife. (credit:Aman Resorts)

Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing(15 of27)

(credit:Aman Resorts)

Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing(16 of27)

(credit:Aman Resorts)

Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing(17 of27)

(credit:Aman Resorts)

The Opposite House(18 of27)

With cutting edge design from world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, groundbreaking restaurants and bars conceived by celebrated chef restaurateur David Laris as well as a fresh and innovative approach to service, the 99-room intriguing urban hotel set Beijing’s hotel scene by storm when it opened in 2008. The Opposite House is located at The Village in Sanlitun, a vibrant new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties. The hotel’s 99 guest studios, including 9 spacious suites, are amongst the largest in Beijing. More than half of all the rooms are over 70 sqm and all are strikingly simple with natural wooden floors and subtle touches of Chinese décor.The name, The Opposite House, is derived from a Chinese translation which historically described the building located opposite the main house in a courtyard where esteemed guests would stay. The name also reflects the hotel’s southern location within the courtyard design of The Village at Sanlitun and highlights Sanlitun as a district of diversity and opposites – old and new; east and west; bohemian and chic. (credit:The Opposite House)

The Opposite House(19 of27)

(credit:The Opposite House)

The Opposite House(20 of27)

(credit:The Opposite House)

The Opposite House(21 of27)

(credit:The Opposite House)

Four Seasons Hotel, Guangzhou(22 of27)

This dramatic hotel occupies the top third of the 103-story IFC Guangzhou, one of the world's ten tallest skyscrapers.Situated in the heart of Pearl River New City, next door the Zaha Hadid-designed Guangzhou Opera House, there's no better place to absorb the atmosphere of China's urban powerhouse. Click here for more details. (credit:Four Seasons Hotel)

Four Seasons Hotel, Guangzhou(23 of27)

(credit:Four Seasons )

Four Seasons Hotel, Guangzhou(24 of27)

(credit:Four Seasons Hotel)

Four Seasons Hotel, Guangzhou(25 of27)

(credit:Four Seasons)

Anantara Emei Resort and Spa (26 of27)

This stunning resort at the foot of Emei mountain, Chain's highest sacred Buddhist mountain – and famous for sacred pilgrimages – has just opened in China. The hotel is approx. two hours from Chengdu and nightly rates are very reasonable, from £68 per room per night based on two sharing a deluxe garden view room.For more details click here. (credit:Anantara )

Anantara Emei Resort and Spa (27 of27)

(credit:Anantara )

Virgin Atlantic flies daily from London Heathrow to Shanghai and is currently offering return Economy fares from £699 per person. For further information contact www.virginatlantic.com or call 0844 2092 770. This fare is available for selected departures in 2014.

Related

Holidays hotels retreat spa boutique hotels

Suggest a correction

|