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Carla Thomas

Chengdu is a bucket-list destination for anyone exploring China. It’s often said that it’s a city of contrasts: where famously fiery Sichuan cuisine coexists with the placid rituals of teahouse culture; where thousand-year-old temples, alleyways and city walls sit steps away from glassy skyscrapers; and where the hum of traffic and packed shopping streets give way to one of the world’s leading panda conservation bases.

It’s a city that truly has it all – and the same can be said for its hotels. Chengdu’s luxury accommodation scene is among the strongest in the country, spanning sleek five-star business hotels, contemporary, design-forward stays, and award-winning mountain resorts.
For first-time visitors wondering where to stay in Chengdu, some of the best areas include Jinjiang, the city’s modern commercial heart; Wuhou, known for culture, shopping and food; and Qingyang, home to heritage sites and leafy neighbourhoods.
Wherever you land, Chengdu has a way of pulling you in. Here’s your guide to the best hotels across the city.
Upper House Chengdu

Fans of Hong Kong’s Upper House will feel right at home in its Chengdu counterpart. Formerly The Temple House, the five-star property has recently adopted a new name, though its spirit remains the same. You’ll still find all the Chengdu-infused charm that defined the original concept: an exquisitely preserved Qing-era courtyard with landscaped terraces; a century-old main building framed by glass towers housing the modern suites; and a serene library stocked with art books that honour the site’s roots as a retreat for scholars.

The hotel is steps from top Chengdu attractions like Daci Temple and the Taikoo Li shopping area, though you may be tempted to linger within its elegant walled confines. The hotel’s Jing Bar is a chic, open-air hideaway overlooking a lush terrace, slinging mules spiked with mala-infused vodka. Below ground, the award-winning spa offers treatments inspired by local traditions, from heated bamboo-cane massages to antioxidant-rich tea-based facials.
When it comes to dining, you’re spoiled for choice – think Michelin-starred vegetarian cuisine at Mi Xun Teahouse or hearty, handcrafted Italian at the Black Pearl-certified Tivano.
Best for: sophisticated urban explorers looking for a design-driven hotel
81 Bitieshi Street, Jinjiang District, Chengdu 610021
Shangri-La Chengdu

For riverside views, it’s hard to top the Shangri-La Chengdu. Sitting at the meeting point of two rivers, this 36-storey tower offers water views from nearly every angle. Just downstream sits a top-rated Chengdu landmark, the 17th-century Anshun Bridge – rebuilt in 2003, and famed for its glowing nighttime silhouette with traditional motifs of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. The hotel’s elegant Lobby Lounge is one of the best vantage points in town from which to take it all in, cocktail in hand, as the city lights shimmer across the water.

Expect the full suite of Shangri-La luxuries: carefully crafted Sichuan and Cantonese dishes at Shang Palace, spacious rooms and suites, plush beds, a well-equipped fitness centre with an outdoor tennis court, and a 25-metre heated, light-filled swimming pool.
Best for: riverside views and an easy, luxurious base in Chengdu’s city centre
9 Binjiang East Road, Jinjiang District, Chengdu 610047
Waldorf Astoria Chengdu

Located in Wuhou – one of Chengdu’s most stylish, design-led districts – the Waldorf Astoria Chengdu places guests amid tech hubs, creative studios, hip cafes and concept bars, and close to popular Chengdu attractions like Wuhou Temple and Jinli Ancient Street. Part of the Chengdu Yintai Centre, the hotel offers direct access to in99, a luxury mall that’s home to brands like Bulgari and Cartier, making it an appealing base for travellers who like a little retail therapy between outings.

Inside, the hotel delivers the polished elegance the Waldorf name is known for: skyline and lake views, beautifully appointed rooms with Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, and a spa that encourages lingering. The hotel’s dining and bar scene stands out too. Sip Bar on the 50th floor, all warm wood and leather, was named one of Forbes Travel Guide’s Best Hotel Bars for 2025, while Infinite Luck, the Chinese restaurant, holds Michelin-selected status in the 2026 Michelin Guide Chengdu.
Best for: tech founders, boutique-brand obsessives, and anyone who prefers living the suite life on top of a luxury mall
1199 Tianfu Boulevard North, Wu Hou Qu, Chengdu 610094
Bliss Qintai Tibetan Boutique Hotel

If you want to trade the ultra-modern feel of Jinjiang or Wuhou for something more atmospheric, Qingyang District is where Chengdu slows down and shows its heritage. This is the neighbourhood of traditional teahouses, bamboo-lined parks and shady courtyards where locals settle in for long afternoons of tea and mahjong. It’s also home to some of the city’s most important cultural sites, including Wenshu Monastery, one of Chengdu’s best-preserved Buddhist temples, along with nearby palaces, museums and historic landmarks tied to generations of scholars and thinkers.

There’s no better base for experiencing “old Chengdu” than Bliss Qintai Tibetan Boutique Hotel, a family-run property infused with the owner’s Tibetan heritage and warm hospitality. Set in a beautifully preserved historic building, the hotel pairs traditional architecture with surprisingly modern interiors – think breezy balconies, lofty vaulted ceilings and plenty of charm without sacrificing comfort.
Best for: modest travellers after a taste of old Chengdu with boutique comfort
171-173 Qintai Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu 610072
Crowne Plaza Chengdu Panda Garden

Those looking for the best place to stay while visiting Chengdu’s giant pandas will be delighted with the Crowne Plaza Chengdu Panda Garden. Set on the quieter northern outskirts of the city, this luxury hotel sits just minutes from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding – perfect for beating the crowds and enjoying a more relaxed, green-belt setting.

Despite its family-friendly focus, the hotel has a sleek, contemporary feel, with marble bathrooms, views of surrounding parkland, and spacious, well-appointed rooms – some even complete with panda-themed bedding and welcome treats for the devoted panda fan. The property is especially appealing for guests with children thanks to its two swimming pools, generous breakfast buffet, kids’ menus, cots and play areas. There’s daily free shuttle service to both the Panda Base and Tianfu Square in the heart of the city, making exploration of Chengdu city proper easy.
Best for: a peaceful, child-friendly hotel close to Chengdu’s most famous residents
Poly Park 198, 1980 ShuLong Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu 610503
Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain

For travellers who want to pair Chengdu with a restorative mountain escape, Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain delivers the best of both worlds. Set about an hour outside the city, this sprawling resort sits at the foothills of Mount Qingcheng – one of the legendary birthplaces of Taoism – and beside the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Close enough for easy day trips but far enough to leave Chengdu’s traffic and buzz behind, the resort offers a completely different pace of life.

The resort embodies Six Senses’ signature sustainable luxury: huge rooms with soaring ceilings, natural wood and eco-conscious architecture designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape. The Six Senses Spa leans into the region’s roots, offering ancient Chinese therapies reinterpreted for modern travellers, while a charming old-style teahouse brings Sichuan’s tea culture to the forefront.
It’s no surprise the property picked up a Michelin Key – this is where nature, wellness and local culture meet in the most enlightened ways.
Best for: mountain air, nature views and Taoist slow-life energy
2 Dong Ruan Road, Qingcheng Mountain Town, Dujiangyan, Chengdu, 611844


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Asia travel

6 best hotels in Chengdu, from the Upper House and Shangri-La, to Crowne Plaza by IHG

The Shangri-La Chengdu stands by the city’s river. Photo: Handout

A restaurant corridor at a Chengdu hotel. Photo: Handout

The entrance of Upper House Chengdu. Photo: Handout

A guest room at Upper House Chengdu. Photo: Handout

The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La Chengdu. Photo: Handout

One of Shangri-La Chengdu’s guest rooms with a city view. Photo: Handout

A city view of Chengdu with the Waldorf Astoria Chengdu in the centre. Photo: Handout

One of the guest rooms at Waldorf Astoria Chengdu with a city view at night. Photo: Handout

An atmospheric view from Bliss Qintai Tibetan Boutique Hotel. Photo: Handout

A heritage-filled guest room at Bliss Qintai Tibetan Boutique Hotel. Photo: Handout

The light-filled lobby of Crowne Plaza Chengdu Panda Garden by IHG. Photo: Handout

One of the panda-themed rooms at Crowne Plaza Chengdu Panda Garden by IHG. Photo: Handout

An aerial view of Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain. Photo: Handout

The exterior of guest rooms at Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain. Photo: Handout

Trisara resort offers a rare Phuket experience that is opulent, thoughtful and quiet

The main pool at Trisara in Phuket overlooks a quiet and pristine beach. Photo: Handout

A floating pontoon, for those who like to swim in the ocean. Photo: Handout

A six-bedroom villa with a private infinity pool. Photo: Handout

Jampa offers farm-to-table food that is healthy and clean. Photo: Handout

Trisara’s deck comes alive at night. Photo: Handout

A massage room overlooking the ocean at Jara Wellness. Photo: Handout

Vietnam’s Hoiana Resort & Golf: the perfect seaside escape with Instagram-worthy views

One of Hoiana Resort & Golf’s several pools. Photo: Handout

A guest room within the Hoiana Resort & Golf resort. Photo: Handout

The resort’s golf course. Photo: Handout

There are over 20 drinking and dining outlets at Hoiana Resort & Golf. Photo: Handout

The Hoiana Resort & Golf is located along the coast of central Vietnam. Photo: Handout

Charred, the resort’s grill restaurant. Photo: Handout

An aerial view of the golf course. Photo: Handout

The Peninsula New York brings Christmas to glittering life on Fifth Avenue

The lobby of the Peninsula New York during the holidays. Photo: Handout

The Peninsula New York is located just off Fifth Avenue. Photo: Handout

A beautifully appointed junior suite at The Peninsula New York. Photo: Handout

Pen Top bar is a great spot for a sunset drink. Photo: Handout

The pool is a haven of calm soaring above New York’s Midtown district. Photo: Handout

The Peninsula New York goes all out with Christmas decorations and activities during the holidays. Photo: Handout

3 festive cocktails to spice up your Christmas celebrations in Hong Kong

Inspired winter cocktails from some of Hong Kong’s top bars. Photo: Handout

Jingle Bird cocktail and mulled wine at Bar Q88. Photo: Handout

DarkSide has several dedicated seasonal cocktails. Photo: Handout

Spiked masala chai at Rajasthan Rifles. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s best Christmas feasts, from the Mandarin Oriental to Osteria Marzia

Not your typical Christmas menu, at Hong Kong’s Osteria Marzia. Photo: Handout

A window table at Embla restaurant. Photo: Handout

The Christmas spread at Feather & Bone. Photo: Handout

Christmas desserts at The Gallery at the Four Seasons. Photo: Handout

Island Shangri-La’s 2025 Christmas spread. Photo: Handout

Christmas Bao at Little Bao. Photo: Handout

The Ruby Room within Magistracy Dining Room. Photo: Handout

Somm at Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark. Photo: Handout

Christmas dishes at The Murray. Photo: Handout

Christmas menu items at Osteria Marzia. Photo: Handout

Christmas dishes at The Steak House at the Regent. Photo: Handout

Tin Lung Heen’s Christmas Eve set dinner at The Ritz-Carlton. Photo: Handout

Salmon Wellington at Wooloomooloo Prime. Photo: Handout

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Whether you’re going there for the pandas and city vibes, or the mountains and teahouses, these are the best places to check into in Chengdu


Whether you’re going there for the pandas and city vibes, or the mountains and teahouses, these are the best places to check into in Chengdu.


6 best hotels in Chengdu, from the Upper House and Shangri-La, to Crowne Plaza by IHG

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Whether you’re going there for the pandas and city vibes, or the mountains and teahouses, these are the best places to check into in Chengdu

Whether you’re going there for the pandas and city vibes, or the mountains and teahouses, these are the best places to check into in Chengdu