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…
Must-see hotels in China
-
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…
