Luxury Travel Diary

Low bandwidth version - view full site for optimal experience

Review: Banyan Tree Lijiang

Reviews

Receive complimentary breakfast at Luxury Hotels

Visiting the stunningly preserved ancient city of Lijiang in China is like stepping back in time. Stay in beautiful villas with architecture inspired by the Naxi culture of the region at the Banyan Tree Lijiang.

Why Stay Here?

That marvelous combination of mountain living coupled with easy access to the ancient city of Lijiang is hard to beat, especially when it’s packaged so luxuriously.

Location

The resort lies 2,400 meters above sea level at the base of the epic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The hotel is located in the Gucheng District of Lijiang, P. R. China. Not only are you perfectly situated to soak up everything Lijiang has to offer, but you have breathtaking views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The city, which is located in the northwest part of China’s Yunnan province, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with charming cobblestone streets, rickety wooden buildings, and beautiful canals. Your hotel lies close to Shuhe Old Town and Baisha Village. Explore the old town, shop for historical artifacts to take back home, or explore the area on bicycle or horseback, visiting local sights such as Tiger Leaping Gorge.

Best Time To Visit

Lijiang has a moderate climate all year round with a rainy season that runs from May to October, with July and August being the wettest. Autumn is probably the optimum time to visit.

How To Get There

There are three international airports in Yunnan Province, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, Kunming Changshui International Airport, and Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport. Visitors tend to fly into Kunming first and then transfer to Lijiang by air, which only takes 45 minutes. All the main cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, and Hangzhou, are accessible from Lijiang Sanyi International Airport. Flights from the UK to Lijiang Sanyi International Airport tend to connect in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, or Bangkok. The hotel is then a 45-minute drive from Lijiang Sanyi International Airport.

Style & Character

This is a luxurious highland resort. The architecture is charming, and the guest rooms, delightful. Think carved wood furniture, colorful Tibetan décor, and fresh mountain air

Service & Facilities

When you head back to your hotel after a wonderful day exploring this ancient area, there’s plenty to occupy you or relax you whichever you’re in most need of! Work out at the well-equipped fitness center, which will feel like you’re in the forest with the massive floor to ceiling windows giving you a motivating view. You can also rent bicycles if you’d rather actually be in nature, and there’s also a hiking trail and outdoor tennis courts. The BanyanTree SPA has everything you need when you’re craving indulgence. There are seven treatment rooms and a yoga studio or find some peace in the library. The staff are also extremely friendly and helpful and speak excellent English.

Rooms

All the guest suites and villas are large, gorgeous spaces with beautiful, oriental décor and huge private bathrooms. The amenities are exactly what you would expect with luxury travel with some lovely extras like a pillow menu, international TV channels, and separate living spaces in all rooms. You can opt for a mountain view from your private balcony, can upgrade to a jet pool or plunge pool and can opt for two or three bedrooms if you have a large party.

Best Rooms

Personally, I think upgrading to the Jet Pool Villas is an absolute must. Having your own gorgeous pool surrounded by a well-tended garden is quite remarkable. If there’s more of you, the larger two or three-bed Villas are ideal, but the Jet Pool Villa King is just perfect for couples.

Food & Drink

Your dining choices are nothing short of exceptional. There are two restaurants, Bai Yun and Ming Yue, serving the best of Chinese dining; Ming Yue focuses very much on locally influenced dishes as well as international cuisine. You can also, and simply must, partake in destination dining experiences; dining al fresco in a pagoda under the moonlight will make for an unforgettable meal. The charming Wen Hai Cocktail Bar is the place to go for afternoon tea and then return after dinner for a cocktail to create the perfect end to your day.

We love this hotel because of the excellent location and the divine guest rooms.

Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.

Exit mobile version