We take a journey to discover the life-affirming magic of China’s mountainous sanctuaries: Lijiang and Shangri-La, in celebration of Banyan Tree’s 20th anniversary in the region.
Have you ever stood alone, looking up to the sky, and felt that the mountains around you were breathing too, almost in sync with your heart? I have. From the moment I arrived in Yunnan province, China, I had an experience that calmed my mind like meditation and breathwork never could.
Being there, you can understand why, in Chinese philosophy, the mountains are considered sacred repositories of Qi – energy that flows through the world and our bodies. That’s why poets, monks, and wellness seekers alike have long believed that by spending time in the mountains, we can absorb Qi and find clarity, balance, and renewal.
Life mellows in the ancient heartlands of Lijiang and Shangri-La: the air is crisp, the light soft, and the silence fills rather than depletes you. As Tibetan prayer flags ripple like paper rainbows in the wind, the mountains rise like guardians above the jade-green valleys, their peaks almost invisible behind trails of mist, like a living creature in the sky. At their heart, these are places that teach travellers the true art of slowing down.
It’s fitting, then, that Banyan Tree chose this region to plant its earliest roots in China, and now, two decades on, the hotel brand’s pioneering spirit continues to echo through the mountains; providing spaces where wellness isn’t a trend but a way of life shaped by wisdom passed down through generations.
To celebrate Banyan Tree’s 20th anniversary in China, we journeyed through these cultural sanctuaries to rediscover a more soulful way to travel – one that is deeply restorative by design. Here’s why there’s never been a better moment to experience the off-the-beaten-path benefits of a wellness retreat to Banyan Tree Lijiang and Ringha.
Banyan Tree Lijiang: Cultural memories near the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
THE LOWDOWN
I arrived in Lijiang slightly travel-worn after a long connecting flight from the UK via Beijing, but all fatigue was quickly forgotten as I was welcomed by the silhouette of the mountain peeking out between the entrance arch of the resort. It was a seamless first encounter with the philosophy that has defined Banyan Tree over the past two decades: creating sanctuaries that don’t just exist in their locations but belong to them.
With every new detail I took in, I felt Banyan Tree Lijiang’s promise of privacy and comfort inspired by local culture, come alive. The architecture is deeply rooted in Lijang’s Naxi style – wooden pillars, patterned carvings, grey tiled roofs – all in total harmony with the natural terrain, and the resort is set just outside Shuhe Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the very first evening, I was struck by how the resort blends seamlessly with this setting – from the cultural-immersion activities to the spa and the dining options. Luxurious though your stay will be, Banyan Tree Lijiang feels like a continuation of the cultural landscape, rather than a modern intrusion.
THE ROOMS
Each villa at Banyan Tree Lijiang is a little sanctuary that cocoons you in all the features of traditional Naxi living, with a modern edge. Every room has the iconic sweeping roof design that defines traditional homes in the area, while wooden beams, decorative carpets and red furnishings provide a warm yet minimalist interior. Choose a Jet Pool Villa and, as the name suggests, you can enjoy a bathwater-warm plunge pool that’s as inviting for crisp mornings as it is for post-dinner dips in the moonlight, alongside a cloud-soft king-size bed invitingly positioned in the very centre of the room, looking out across your own private garden. Large floor-to-ceiling windows make sure that the stunning outside world is always centred and within reach – and with views like these you’ll often find yourself just staring out, lost in the sort of relaxed thinking that’s hard to achieve back home.
THE SPA
One of Banyan Tree’s greatest selling points is its spa philosophy, which blends wellness with the cultural heart of each of its resorts’ locations. In Lijiang, that felt particularly special. While I looked through the extensive spa menu in the cosy spa lobby, the therapists explained how the techniques used in the rituals have been part of the area’s mountain traditions for centuries. Signature treatments such as the Royal Banyan massage incorporate local herbs into the warm pouches that are placed along your body to soothe aches and pains, while the indulgent Yunnan Bounty experience harnesses local red rice and pearl barley to buff your body to a better glow. Or, perhaps The Ancient Tea Horse Road package is more your style. Perfect for stubborn tension, your therapist’s thumbs are joined by wooden sticks to ease out knots and improve circulation with almost instant relief achieved (no wonder it’s been an area favourite for generations).
With jet lag nipping at my heels, I opted for a 90-minute deep-tissue massage, taking full benefit of my therapist’s knowledge of the Chinese Five Elements philosophy to soothe not only body tension but stress of the mind as well. The experience started with a skin-smoothing foot ritual I didn’t want to end, and finished with a seat in the relaxation room, where traditional warm red bean soup was served. The dish is said not only to aid digestion but to be a symbol of good fortune, and I left the spa feeling extremely lucky and blissful.
THE FOOD & DRINK
Meals at Banyan Tree Lijiang are not just about food; they’re about storytelling. In fact, they are a culinary journey through the districts of Yunnan province (where Lijiang resides) with the buffet-style breakfasts and dinners at Ming Yue restaurant offering opportunities to try local delicacies. During my stay that included dishes inspired by Xishuangbanna, where flavours are known for being sweet and spicy, and a culinary trip back in time to the local Naxi people’s caravan posts on the Old Spice Road; an opportunity to try yak meat, yak yoghurt and foraged-from-the-mountains mushrooms, which taste as just as delicious as they smell. Don’t worry if your palette is a little less adventurous though. The chefs are always on hand to help guide your choices and will make something you’ll love in no time.
Other unique experiences of the foodie kind include the chance to try Cross Bridge Rice Noodles – one of the cultural signatures of Yunnan cuisine. The dish is said to originate from the Qing Dynasty when the wife of a man studying for his imperial exams on a small island wanted to serve him noodles that weren’t cold or soggy by the time she’d ‘crossed the bridge’ to serve them. The solution: a large pot of boiling chicken broth with oil on top, and a separate container of noodles, vegetables and spices to be mixed in on arrival. It’s not just a lovely local story; the hearty, almost-as-big-as-your-head bowl of noodles was just the ticket after a day of sightseeing.
You can take more than just the memories of the food away too, with an afternoon cooking course with a hotel chef, facilitated by local ingredients you can pick up from the local market (where you’ll discover some of the most colourful and largest fruits I’ve ever seen). I’ve been trying to recreate one of the sauces: a combination of roasted tomato, mushroom, chilli and other herbs ever since my return.
THE TO-DO LIST
Proof that true luxury is access to unique and potentially mind-shaping experiences (rather than just ‘nice things’), my biggest piece of advice when visiting Lijiang is to take every opportunity you can to learn about the local Naxi people’s traditional way of life. It will make you respect and enjoy your stay in a way that’s easily overlooked when travelling as part of our fast-paced, modern lives. To help you do so, Banyan Tree group has hired local cultural teacher John Duan to share the living history of his people at the hotel, and I’d recommend you attend as many of his sessions as possible. I tried my hand at craft experiences including Jiama print rubbing and Mosuo handwoven brackets, which made lovely souvenirs, as well as taking part in a blessing ceremony where you can make wishes on stones thrown into the lake for prosperity. The most poignant though was the opportunity to try Dongba Rock Painting, the world’s only surviving pictographic writing system, while John Duan shared his life story. It was the perfect chance to stop, pause and reflect on the stories that we as tourists can help keep alive if we embrace different cultures with interest and respect.
Of course, the magic of Lijiang extends beyond the resort, and the hotel is on hand to make your experiences beyond its walls unforgettable too. Dayan Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historical heart of the city. With over 800 years of history, it not only showcases well-preserved Naxi architecture and culture, but is a lovely spot for browsing local textiles and more incredible local food. In Chinese culture, I was told you always avoid leaving your guests hungry – and that was apparent with the feasts available at the lunch spots recommended by the hotel: fresh egg-fried rice, mushrooms three ways, as well as chicken soup and dumplings were all on the menu.
Banyan Tree is also rightly proud of its support for tourist hotspots, aiming to keep local practices alive and celebrated. One such example is the Baisha Embroidery school where the textile-based art forms created by local Naxi people are so delicate they almost look like prints when completed – pictures really don’t do justice to the real thing. And, if you fall in love with the brocade products as much as I did, you can be confident your souvenir money is going to sustainable and well-run organisations.
Banyan Tree Ringha – A Tibetan dream in Shangri-La
THE LOWDOWN
After a few days immersing myself in the culture of Lijiang, I travelled higher into the mountains on route to Banyan Tree Ringha, in the mystical valleys of Shangri-La.
Banyan Tree Ringha was the hotel group’s first property in China, and there’s a spirituality to the stillness of this quite magical place. Banyan Tree co-founders (and husband-and-wife team) Claire Chiang and Ho Kwon Ping discovered and reinvented this cluster of farmhouses after being inspired by an abandoned village they stumbled upon while scouting the region. Today, the resort still feels deeply connected to that origin – time seems to slow down a little (or even rewind) on arrival.
I think the feeling I had when I first arrived is best summed up by general manager Vivian Ni who welcomed us with the words: “During your stay with us, we would like to invite you to take a sacred pause. Slow down, listen deeply, and return to what truly matters as you immerse yourself in curated experiences and gentle rituals inspired by the wisdom of nature, local traditions and ancestral rhythm.”
It’s an invitation that lingers. Even the resort’s hashtag – #ThisRightNow – captures its spirit. This is a place to simply be. To breathe. To arrive fully in the present moment. That’s also rather practical – especially during your first couple of days. By the time I reached the hotel, I was already feeling the altitude with a mild headache and fatigue. It’s not surprising, we were now 3,200 meters above sea level.
THE ROOMS
Set within the Ringha Valley, the property unfolds like a Tibetan village, with narrow stone paths weaving between 32 traditional farmhouses that have been reimagined as luxury lodges. Each structure, built from timber and stone, feels rooted in centuries of local craftsmanship.
My two-floor Tibetan Farmhouse had thick timber walls and polished wooden floors that creaked softly underfoot – the kind of charming imperfection that speaks of heritage, not wear (as long as you don’t have an overactive imagination or a penchant for ghost stories). Wooden beams, brightly woven textiles, and hand-painted chests added warmth to an extremely expansive space completed by a traditional low bed, and the bathroom even featured a deep wooden bathtub set on a bed of stones. This tub was like treating yourself to a spa treatment without leaving your room; perfect for warming up after walks in the crisp mountain air.
The one thing that takes a little getting used to (aside from the utter quiet) is that the bathroom is on the ground floor, below the bedroom and living area. This mirrors traditional Tibetan design because downstairs was where livestock were kept, but it does require care when going down the narrow steps in the dark at night!
It’s not a typical five-star experience in the glossy sense (although help is just a concierge call away and there’s spare oxygen placed next to your bed, should you struggle with the altitude ). Instead, luxury here feels grounded in authenticity and the unique memories you’ll bring home. After all, you are inhabiting a home in a timeless landscape; part of a community that has thrived in these highlands for centuries.
THE WELLNESS
At this altitude, wellness takes on a deeper meaning. It’s much more about reconnecting with yourself than packing your schedule. In fact, everywhere around you, the concept of slow living is quietly celebrated. I experienced this firsthand on my first morning, where, waking early due to jet lag, I stepped onto my balcony just as dawn broke. The valley was shrouded in mist, with the silence broken only by the birdsong around me. Before I knew it, I was breathing more fully – helped by the cool, fresh air – than I think I’d been doing for a very long time. I felt the tension totally release from my shoulders.
By evening, with light pollution kept to a minimum (heavy drapes block out the light from your lodge if you are a night owl), there’s time for introspection. It’s like a culture-filled digital detox: guests are encouraged to switch off, rehydrate, and take things slow – so much so that it felt wrong to retrieve my laptop or scroll mindlessly on my phone. Instead, I read my book and simply revelled in the quiet comfort of my villa after dinner, gladly accepting Banyan Tree Ringha’s restorative invitation to take a sacred pause in a world so often obsessed with speed and productivity.
As for the Banyan Tree Spa in Ringha, it’s small but beautifully designed, with wooden interiors and the scent of Tibetan herbs filling the air – a further retreat from any busyness of mind. Treatments draw inspiration from local healing traditions, using native ingredients like barley, honey and mountain herbs, and the Master Therapist Experience comes highly recommended for its personalised wellness approach that incorporates rhythmic pressure and warm oils designed to ease the effects of altitude, leaving you feeling grounded and incredibly relaxed.
THE FOOD & DRINK
Dining at Banyan Tree Ringha mirrors the rhythm of mountain life – comforting, soulful, and deeply connected to its surroundings. Mornings at Llamo bring a generous buffet breakfast and what the lunchtime chefs can’t do to bring out every ounce of flavour from yak meat, mushrooms, mountain herbs, and fresh fish isn’t worth knowing. While it is more about new experiences than extravagance, there’s always plenty of dishes to go around.
The standout experience though is dinner in the Mongolian yurt, which also acts as a welcome to the hotel due to its prominent position at the entrance. Inside, alongside woven textiles and deliberately dimmed lighting, the central tables look a little like a shrine, filled high not with religious offerings but with Tibetan hotpot ingredients, which you can select and then have cooked in front of you, on your own outer table. The idea is to make the bubbling broth perfect for your own personal taste, with freshly barbecued corn, mushrooms, and fresh fruit on hand to fill you up. Best of all, between courses, local performers share traditional songs and dances, in a joyful and wonderfully atmospheric celebration of culture and cuisine intertwined.
THE TO DO LIST
While the journey from Lijiang to Banyan Tree Ringha is a three-hour drive, it’s worth taking the slower route and stopping off at Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of China’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. The gorge, carved by the Jinsha River, offers hiking trails that deliver some of the country’s most dramatic views. The paths are classed as easy to moderate but can be slippery, especially as waterfalls tumble across sections of the trail. The altitude makes itself known as you climb too, giving the perfect excuse to pause often – to catch your breath, take photos, and simply take in the sheer scale of it all. A stop at the Halfway House, a rustic lodge perched on the mountainside, is a must as well. Here, plentiful portions of rice, mushrooms, chicken soup – and the best scrambled egg and tomato smash I’ve ever tasted – finished off the experience in the best way.
Closer to the hotel, Banyan Tree Ringha’s magic lies in how it invites you to step beyond the resort without losing its sense of serenity. The Shudu Gang River offers gentle hiking trails framed by pine forests and mirror-like water that reflects the sky. One particularly special moment was watching the horses grazing along the riverbanks, perfectly at ease in the stillness. It felt like we’d stumbled into a landscape untouched by the usual marks of tourism – wild, beautiful, and deeply peaceful.
Another highlight was visiting a local Tibetan family, where I learned how to make butter tea, a rich, salty drink that has sustained highland communities for centuries. It was a hands-on, joyful experience that felt genuine rather than overly curated. I felt similarly about my morning visit to the Dabao Temple, one of the region’s oldest and most revered monasteries. Local guides explained the significance of walking clockwise around the temple three times, a gesture symbolising the purification of body, speech, and mind. Inside, I watched as locals gave offerings and prayers before bowing in quiet reflection, and, in the smokey atmosphere created by a lit bundle of pine reeds, I made a wish to return to the region.
To finish my stay, I spent an evening in Dukezong Ancient Town, a 1,300-year-old Tibetan settlement known as the “Moonlight City.” Once a vital stop along the historic Ancient Tea Horse Road, it remains one of Shangri-La’s most atmospheric places after dark. Walking its cobbled streets lined with candlelit shops, prayer wheels, and golden-roofed temples, I felt as though I’d stepped back in time (once again). There was a rare honesty to the whole experience – no over-curation, no rush, and ultimately, however you choose to spend your time, Ringha gently reminds you that travel can still be soulful. In a world where everything feels immediate, Banyan Tree Ringha offers the gift of pause. It’s not just a place to stay – it’s a place to return to yourself.
Final reflections: how Lijiang and Ringha capture Banyan Tree’s legacy
Together, Lijiang and Ringha reflect the heart of Banyan Tree’s philosophy in China: creating sanctuaries that are deeply rooted in heritage and nature. The contrast between them is what makes the journey so powerful: Lijiang awakens your senses, Ringha calms your spirit.
As Banyan Tree celebrates 20 years in China, these two resorts stand as symbols of why the brand endures. They remind us that luxury isn’t just about comfort – it’s about authenticity, connection, and respect for place. If you are seeking a journey that blends nature, culture and sanctuary, I can think of no better celebration than to walk the paths of Lijiang and Shangri-La, and to let Banyan Tree show you what another two decades of care and vision might create.
FAQs: Tips and tricks for travelling in China with Banyan Tree
If you’re planning your own Banyan Tree journey in China, here are some practical insights I picked up along the way:
How do I organise a Chinese visa as a UK passport holder?
UK passport holders must apply for a Chinese visa in advance through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC). Applicants need a completed form, recent photo, passport valid for at least six months, and proof of travel such as flight and hotel bookings. In-person attendance is required for fingerprint collection, though interviews are rarely needed. Standard processing takes around four working days, with express options available.
Can I use a transit visa for China?
China also offers 72- or 144-hour transit visa exemptions which allow you to visit certain areas of China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Lijiang, for short periods of time. Travellers need to stay within set locations and need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within the allowed time frame. For example, you could travel onto Hong Kong after your visit to Lijiang if you stay for a week. It’s a little complicated and only applies to certain countries, so check thoroughly before you travel.
In what order should you visit the properties?
Start with Lijiang (2,400m) before ascending to Ringha (3,200m) to adjust gradually to altitude. For the best experience, plan to be in Lijiang for at least three to four nights, and in Ringha for at least two to three nights. That should allow you to experience both the resorts and their surroundings. Both regions are rich in culture and nature – you’ll want time to enjoy the pace.
What should I pack to go to Lijiang and Ringha?
Layers are key. Even in summer, mornings and evenings can be cool in the mountains. A light down jacket and scarf are essentials. Don’t forget sunscreen, as the sun is strong at higher altitudes too.
How should I cope with the altitude?
Rest well, drink plenty of water, and avoid overexertion on your first day in both locations, but especially Shangri-La. Local ginger tea and yak butter tea are surprisingly effective remedies for warming the body too – and a way to engage with local cultural traditions.
How do I respectfully interact with local culture?
Both Naxi and Tibetan cultures are woven into the resorts, which makes embracing them a little easier. A bit of effort goes a long way. Learn a few local phrases in Mandarin, including please and thank you – and be prepared to interact with staff such as housekeeping through translation apps if you need them. Also, remember to ask questions, and take time to appreciate Naxi and Tibetan traditions – they’re part of what makes the experience unforgettable, and locals really appreciate curiosity and respect.
How can I pay for things and use the internet?
Internet is available, but slower in remote areas and certain apps or payment services may not work in China so you do need to check what you need in advance. Download maps and translation apps before you travel, and you’ll need to set up money apps like Alipay too.
Lead image: Banyan Tree China
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?