China is about as big at the US geographically, and the landscape it covers is so varied that it’s not worth commencing a list of what you can see here. Its recorded history is among the oldest in the world, with dramatic twists and turns that have shaped the look of the country as well as the architecture and the culture. But if you think about China as just vast, or solely as being the world’s oldest continual civilisation and a treasure trove of historic sights and treasures, you’re missing the modern face of China with its huge, glass-fronted skyscrapers and technological ingenuity. Basically there’s a huge amount to see here. Whether you want to plan your visit in minute detail fitting in as many Heritage Listed treasures as you can, or you just want to see what happens, you’ll be kept busy. With all this choice it’s worth trying to make a few choices in advance, and choosing the best places to stay in China is something we can help with.

From the best hotels in China’s major cities to the best places to stay to see China’s pandas, or the Great Wall, we hopefully have something to get you started.

Where to Stay?

• Beijing is a dynamic city, a place strung between its glorious ancient history, its rather dramatic recent history and its ever-changing place in the modern world. And now is a great time to visit. There’s a sense of momentum and reinvention, with skyscrapers designed by world-renowned architects springing up close to ancient temples, palaces and brutalist Communist monuments. And the hútòngs, with their seemingly bottomless history of commerce and hospitality, are getting a hip makeover.
• Shanghai seems somehow more like the China you imagine from the old days of exotic trade and travel. It has modern skyscrapers aplenty, but it also has some beautiful old architecture, and it’s in the old town that you find a few of our recommendations for the best places to stay in China, close to the Yùyuán Gardens and the central markets. We also love the Art Deco treasures of The Bund, which was Shanghai’s answered to Wall Street. Shanghai is busy and energetic and your trip here probably will be too.
• Xi’an, the eastern end of the Silk Road, is ancient. There’s been a city here, in the Shaanxi Province for around three thousand years, and this was China’s capital for 73 different emperors, over the course of about a thousand years. For somewhere so ancient there’s not a huge amount to show, but what Xi’an does have is a vast army of life size Terracotta Warriors, waiting with their horses, around 30kms east of town. Xi’an also has the world’s largest city wall, 12metres high, 18metres wide at the bottom and almost 14kms long. Xi’an also has some of China’s best museums.
• Chengdu is a laid-back city on the sprawling Chengdu Plain, a place perfect for panda-lovers and those with an interest in Chinese history. Chengdu is properly ancient, it’s been here since about the 4th century BC, and at one stage it was the capital, so it has some incredible architecture and ancient treasures. Chengdu is also known for its food, especially its teahouse culture, but for many people the highlight will be the Giant Panda Conservation Centre.
• Suzhou is another ex-capital with a rich, dynastic history. China’s preeminent city during the Ming and Quing dynasties, it’s been beautifully and carefully laid out around a series of canals, sprinkled with elegant bridges, and lined in places by gardens and pagodas, and is frequently compare to Venice. This is also a region known for its temples. Perfect if you’re interested in China’s cultural history. The markets are good too.
• Nanjing, on the Yangtze River, has been the capital too: the name means ‘southern capital’ to Beijing’s ‘northern capital’. This was the capital for the Ming emperors, starting from around six hundred years ago, and its Ming mausoleums are one of its great sights. Nanjing’s city wall is another impressive sight, and it has a number of excellent museums.
• Guilin is a city in an incredibly scenic spot in North Guangxi. Thus Guilin is beautiful too, with its two rivers, one being the Yangtze, and four lakes and sheer, karst mountains as a view. Guilin is also close to some of China’s most scenic sights, the Li River, the Longji rice terraces at Longshen and Yangshuo, a fantastic centre for exploring the local caves in the incredible karst mountains. Guilin’s main industry is tourism, and there are numerous Western-style hotels, but this is also a very popular spot for Chinese travellers.
• Hangzhou, in Zhejiang, is another very popular city for tourists. It’s also known for its natural beauty, especially its West Lake, which has been much lauded in Chinese art and culture. Hangzhou is another city that serves as China’s capital, for around 150 years, so time to build some really elegant bridges, pagodas and temples.
• Guangzhou is separated from the rest of China by a a mountain range, it’s on the Hong Kong side, and large, busy and liberal by Chinese standards. This was one of the first Chinese cities to have connection with the rest of the world, and it’s still a great point to see the meeting of old and new. Guangzhou is also fantastic if you love a market and you love to try new food.
• If you want to see the huge Buddha at Mount Emei you’ll want to look for accommodation in Leshan.
• If you want to climb Mount Tai, one of the five sacred Daoist mountains in China, you’ll want to stay in Tai’an.
• If you want to see the Yúngāng Grottoes, one of the best places to stay in China would be Datong.
• And if you want to see China’s beaches visit Hainan.

Use our guide to the best places to stay in China and start planning your trip to this fascinating, ancient land.

The Best Places to Stay in China

Some of the Most Historic Hotels

• Shanghai’s Amanyangyun is an Aman offering converted from villas originally built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Decorated in a traditional style, and embellished with modern luxuries. The facilities go beyond the normal, from private bathhouses to Italian restaurants.
• The Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund is Shanghai’s most iconic art-deco building. Offering a heavenly blend of imperial charm and artistic splendour, this hotel takes you back to the halcyon days of 1930s Shanghai. Full of magnificent things, enjoy an evening at the hotel's famous piano bar and be spoilt for choice with the hotel's six superb restaurants.
• Recalling the glory days of Shanghai, The Peninsula Shanghai is an imperious establishment. With everything from private yachts to a fleet of vintage cars, the hotel spares no expense for its guests. An unforgettable place to stay.
• Jing’s Residence is within the walls of the historic walled city of Pingyao, a charming, beautifully preserved property with 19 cosy rooms and a restaurant specialising in the local cuisine. Taking tea in their beautiful courtyard is romantic and memorable.
• The Zen Urban Resort is a boutique hotel in downtown Chengdu, with an emphasis on Zen philosophy. Elegant rooms line the modern gallery which surrounds the hotel's interior courtyard. Designed in line with Zen principles, suites feature wooden floors, low-lying beds and a seating area with traditional tea. A charming hotel.

For a City Break

• Shanghai’s The Waterhouse at South Bund embodies a stylish, contemporary aesthetic. Designed by the city's in vogue Neri and Hu, this former concrete dockhouse has been transformed into a boutique delight. Stunning rooms are adorned with artwork by Tracey Emin and Arne Jacobsen and its restaurant is amongst the finest in Shanghai. A stellar option.
• Occupying the top 29 floors of the Jing An skyscraper, Jing An Shangri La is perfect for those looking for a room with a view. Boasting all the modern luxuries you could ask for, this hotel offers a superb blend of Chinese culture and western hospitality.
• Chengdu’s The Temple House is a stylish hotel offering clever designer rooms, transforming old bones into a swish modern hotel where high end luxury comes as standard. Plus there's a choice of beautiful bars and restaurants on site.

The Most Romantic Hotels in China

• Luxury materials and contemporary style converge at the St Regis Chengdu, steps away from Tianfu Square. In the suites, cherry blossom carpets add warmth and local flavour to the predominantly modern design while mini chaise longues add a romantic, regal feel. Have afternoon tea at Decanter before visiting the spa - just the two of you.
• Tonino Lamborghini does sound more Italy than China, and it certainly encompasses Italian style into the traditional Chinese design of this 92 room hotel. It’s right on the banks of Jinji Lake, which is a short drive from Suzhou, in the perfect spot for beautiful evening strolls before supper at Danny’s restaurant, a gourmet French affair with an impressive wine list.

For Foodies

• Le Passage Mohkan is your quintessential French colonial summer escape: a 40 room bolthole spa in a beautiful, green valley, with a celebrity chef and a heated spring water pool. Come here to indulge.
• Also just outside Shanghai, but in the Minhang District, Amanyangyun is a collection of Ming and Qing Dynasty villas turned 47 room Aman hotel. In addition to the extraordinary decor and modern luxury there’s a private bathhouse and an impressive Italian restaurant.
• The Langham in central Shanghai has super stylish interiors. But the real reason to visit this excellent hotel is for its divine Cantonese restaurant: T'ang Court. The recipient of three Michelin stars, it's one of the world's finest purveyors of Cantonese food.

Some of the Best Places to Stay Outside China’s Cities

• The Banyan Tree Huangshan is a smart, comfortable resort where traditional Chinese architecture meets Western-style comfort. But it’s the setting which really elevates it: in the foothills of mist-moated mountains, which appear to be floating. This is a large resort, close to some great sights, perfect for hikers too.
• The Four Seasons Hangzhou at West Lake in Xihu Qu, is right on the lake of the UNESCO-listed West Lake. It has grand, spacious interiors, with a definitely Chinese feel to the architecture and the decor. And the hotel is surround by beautiful gardens.

For Families

• The Brickyard is a fantastic base for exploring one of the lesser visited sections of the Great Wall of China. Originally a tile factory, this 25 room hotel has been sympathetically restored and its accommodation is smart and comfortable. Some rooms have incredible panoramic views of the wall from their terraces. No phones or TVs in the rooms.

For great value

• Chengdu’s Buddha Zen Hotel immerses guests in Buddhist culture in a traditional property neighbouring Tianfu Square. Guestrooms line an ornate wooden gallery surrounding the interior courtyard. Simplicity and elegance prevail in the suites, which feature Buddhist artwork. Unwind in the hotel spa; a city sanctuary.

Prefer an Apartment or Villa?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• China is big. But as an international traveller you’re probably going to be arriving into one of five airports: Beijing Capital International Airport serving Beijing; the Shanghai Pudong International Airport - Shanghai also has the Hongqiao Airport, the New Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport serving the north of Guangzhou, the Kunming Changshui International Airport and the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• Due to its enormous size, it can be difficult to pin down the definitive advice on when is the best time of year to visit China. However, generally speaking we'd advise a trip in either Spring or Autumn when the weather is usually warm and dry. Summer can very hot and humid, whilst winter heads for the other extreme!

Still not sure?

• Restrict your search to just the best places to stay in Beijing?
• or the best places to stay in Shanghai? or Chengdu? or Suzhou?
• or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.