Sichuan
Organised by the Khampa Nomad Ecolodge, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stay with a genuine nomad family in their tent. Don't expect anything about…
Sichuan
Organised by the Khampa Nomad Ecolodge, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to stay with a genuine nomad family in their tent. Don't expect anything about…
Anhui
There is no better way to experience the extravagant villas of the Huizhou merchants than to spend a few days living in one, waking for breakfast…
Lhasa
Lhasa's most stylish accommodation comes thanks to the Songtsam chain, which runs seven boutique lodges in the Tibetan area of Yunnan. The 50 rooms here…
Lhasa
The renovated Kyichu is a friendly and well-run choice that’s very popular with repeat travellers to Tibet. Rooms are comfortable and pleasant, with…
Beijing
A garden sanctuary in the hutong, the Orchid is Beijing's best-run boutique hotel, going the extra mile with memory-foam mattresses, mobile phones,…
Shanghai
Within a former post office, China’s first carbon-neutral hotel not only incorporates recyclable materials and low-energy products where possible, but…
Yangshuo
One of Yangshuo's most memorable stays is this old, Chinese sugarbeet factory – complete with Cultural Revolution slogans – that's been converted into a…
Anhui
When Shanghai artist Li Guoyu discovered this Ming dynasty home it was being used as a pigsty (hence the name). She painstakingly restored it, adding an…
Tianjin
China's oldest foreign-run hotel, the Astor dates back to 1863, when it was opened by British missionary John Innocent. Although it's not as luxurious as…
Shanghai
Spanning the 79th to 93rd floors of the towering Shanghai World Financial Center, this soaring hotel sees Pudong’s huge buildings dwarfing into Lego…
Sichuan
This peaceful guesthouse is part of a renowned art centre and is run by a fluent English-speaking Tibetan woman and her family. At the time of research,…
InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland
Shanghai
The world's first underground hotel, this architectural feat transformed an abandoned quarry lake into a luxury resort. Everything overlooks the water…
Khampa Nomad Ecolodge & Arts Center
Sichuan
Tibetan/American couple Djarga and Angela run this superb ecolodge way out in the grasslands. There are only four cosy rooms (one of them can just about…
Guangxi
At the far end of town near the river is this popular hostel with a lovely backpacker vibe. Split over two buildings, rooms are really pleasant; the south…
Hong Kong
We've seen glasses of wine in ritzy Central more expensive than this budget hotel. Of course for this price there has to be a trade-off, and in Mini Hotel…
Macau
MGM Cotai has 1400 impeccable rooms, including duplex sky-lofts and studios, all in a light and refreshing palette. There's also a gym with panoramic…
Sichuan
This traditionally styled, large and bright American-owned hostel has some of the most luxurious private rooms you could hope to find in a hostel, all…
Nanjing
Situated in Nanjing's former legation quarters, Yihe Mansions is a collection of magnificently restored former embassies and homes of military generals…
Xinjiang
It's quite extraordinary to find this great hostel in fairly remote Kuqa. Run by a young, friendly English-speaking team, it's inside a converted…
Beijing
Beijing's most glamorous hotel, the Rosewood seduces with serene public spaces, innovative restaurants and guest rooms of designer furniture, arty curios,…
Shanghai
Slightly tucked away from the Lujiazui five-star hotel melee in a sheltered riverside spot, the 362-room Mandarin Oriental is a visual feast, from the…
Chengdu
Currently the ciy's best hostel, this lively place offers travellers all the usual services plus a few rare gifts – a pool table, a rooftop terrace, and…
Lhasa
The ever-popular Yak has matured in recent years from backpacker hang-out to tour-group favourite, upgrading to a range of comfortable en-suite rooms. The…
Hong Kong
Now part of the Shangri-La group, Hotel Jen feels more luxurious than its price tag suggests. The high-ceilinged, modern rooms are supercomfy with plump…
Lhasa
Hidden in the old town in a historic Tibetan building, the romantic, boutique-style Shambhala mixes the neighbourhood's earthy charm with buckets of style…
Shanghai
Not your typical generic backpackers, this friendly and atmospheric hostel is set within a century-old house full of character. Its common area in the…
Guangxi
Middlesbrough-born South African designer Ian Hamlinton (nicknamed ‘Crazy One’ by the locals) has energetically and lovingly converted a cluster of Ming…
Guangxi
Offering some of the finest views you'll get in Longji is this memorable inn overlooking the spectacular Seven Stars Chase the Moon rice terrace. All…
Kunming
Tucked in the side streets off Green Lake, this oasis amid white-brick apartment blocks has nouveau Dali decor with wood furniture, antiques and a…
Guilin
A former hostel, this attractive inn by the peaceful Taohua River (桃花江) has ditched the dorms to focus squarely on its boutique-style rooms. They feature…
Chengdu
Cool to its core, every room is hip and understated with elegant stylings and modern amenities that come together perfectly around a traditional-style…
Zhejiang
Le Passage evokes the glamorous cosmopolitan history of Moganshan perhaps better than the actual historic villas do. Ensconced within an organic tea…
Ivorll International Youth Hostel
Wuhan
The only real hostel in Wuhan, Ivorll is a stylish choice, with a pleasing blue-and-white colour scheme and thoughtful design touches throughout. There…
Kazy International Youth Hostel
Harbin
Kazy is the best hostel for miles, and is rightfully popular year-round. English-speaking staff front a cosy reception-bar and can help with excursions in…
Yunnan
This traditional Bai stone-and-wood courtyard home has been turned into a very smart boutique hotel with 16 rooms, all of which are set around a courtyard…
Sichuan
Run by an American family, this fabulous hillside hostel is a comfortable base in Kangding. It provides all manner of top-end hostel services, from…
Dalian
Arguably the best hostel between Harbin and Beijing, UniLoft has open-plan rooms and the feel of a hip office co-op, with statement pieces and a quiet…
Sichuan
So, you thought travel in Kham was going to be tough? Think again! At this sublime 15-room boutique hotel, set in a renovated 700-year-old building…
Nanjing
This sleekly polished five-star hotel, opening to a gargantuan marbled lobby with a huge calligraphic dedication and a vast and stylised depiction of…
Anhui
All that was left of the nearly 300-year-old Imperial Guard Temple was the facade. Film producer Zhang Zhenyan reinvented the rest using beams salvaged…