High in the heart of China, at nearly 6,600 feet, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has built a royal retreat befitting the legacy of the legendary Silk Road and the ancient capital of the Naxi kingdom. Banyan Tree Lijiang, the latest addition to the Singapore-based group’s collection of luxury resorts, opened its majestic gates in May 2006, following the group’s recent and successful launch of Banyan Tree Ringha in nearby Shangri-la.

Visitors seeking the luxurious comforts of a five star resort plus the cultural thrills of Lijiang Old Town, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, plus the sights of 18,363 foot Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Black Dragon Pool plus the world’s mightiest golf course in the 8,548 yard Jade Dragon Mountain Snow Dragon Golf Club will not be disappointed!

Accommodation

Banyan Tree Lijiang offers 55 stunning single-story villas that are oriented Northeast offering breath-taking views of snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, said to resemble a jade dragon lying in the clouds. The villas are spacious, each measuring at least 1,148 square feet, with private gardens and heated outdoor Jet Pools or plunge pools. Each has been constructed with local materials inspired by local Naxi culture. Pink stone, grey Naxi bricks and traditional red clay roof tiles characterize construction along with the signature Naxi-styled curved roofs. Each villa is equipped with mini bar, IDD telephone, internet connection, a mini stereo system, DVD player, mini safe, television, and coffee and tea making facilities. All villas come with turndown service and pillow selection service.

Spa

Banyan Tree Spa Lijiang offers six exquisitely furnished and spacious treatment rooms with attached showers, and one treatment pavilion specially equipped with Rainmist facilities and attached bath. Other facilities include a Hair Salon, Yoga Pavilion, and a fully equipped Gym. A Tea Lounge attached to the Spa offers a fine selection of Lijiang’s famous mountain teas. Treatments incorporate the Five Chinese Elements (Earth, Gold, Water, Fire and Wood) in its facial offerings. Specifically unique to Banyan Tree Lijiang are the Four Seasons packages, comprising Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, which correspond to the Chinese Elements. Specially created massages include the Tui Na, an ancient Chinese treatment to improve the flow of Qi (energy).

Dining

Graceful and sophisticated dining is available at the resort’s all-day dining restaurant Ming Yue and Bai Yun which partially floats over a communal courtyard pond.. Ming Yue café offers Chinese buffet-style meals, while Bai Yun sets the stage for banquet style dining accompanied by musicians on the outdoor pavilion. Wen Hai bar and lounge, named after a neighbouring lake, is a lodge-like parlour with a fireplace and comfortable seats for planning one’s treks and explorations, then the sharing of stories upon your return.

Local Attractions

The 800-year-old Naxi village, Old Town of Lijiang (Dayan), is regarded as the “Venice of the Orient” because of the many bridges and canals that lace through the maze of cobbled streets and famed for its vivacious town folk. Market Square is located in the center of the old town. Some of the wood and stone two-storey Naxi houses embellished with intricate carvings and elaborate courtyards have been converted into shops and restaurants which is where you can find traditional arts and crafts, as well as authentic cuisine. For entertainment, go to the Market Square concert hall to watch the fascinating Naxi orchestra perform classical Taoist music featuring early versions of instruments such as lutes, three-string violins and cymbals. In the evening when the red lanterns light up, the Naxi residents clad primarily in blue and white will gather for rounds of vivacious folk dancing. With or without your dancing shoes, it is truly irresistible when the affable townfolk invite you to join in the merry-making.

Forty miles north of Lijiang, towards Shangri-La, is the renowned Tiger Leaping Gorge. One of the world’s deepest river canyons, if not the deepest depending on how one measures, the Yangtze River roars between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and its neighbor, Haba Snow Mountain with cliffs climbing over 6,500 feet soaring on either side. Legend says that in order to escape from a hunter, a tiger jumped across the river at the narrowest point (almost 100 feet), hence the name.

South of Lijiang and just north of Kunming City, Black Dragon Pool is one of the oldest places of local interest. It is known for its "four beauties"; the Han Temple, the Tang Plum Tree, the Sung Cypress and the Ming Tomb. Legend says that a long time ago there were ten dragons doing great harm to the people. Lu Dong-bin, one of the Eight Deities, subdued nine of them and buried them under an ancient pagoda. A small black dragon was left here and was commanded to do good to the people hence the name of the pool. Close by the Dragon Pool is the famous Yunnan Botanical Garden, also a wonderful place for sight-seeing.

For further information visit the Banyan Tree website at www.banyantree.com.

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