InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort

Rooms and decor

The first thing that stops reviewers at check-in is that all 267 rooms are built as a traditional Naxi village — blue-grey tiled roofs stacked in layers, dark-brown timber walls carved with Dongba motifs. Inside you get a king bed, a marble bathroom and a soaking tub looking onto the garden, with entry rooms starting at 45 sqm — nearly double the usual old-town hotel room. Every evening there is live Naxi music in the lobby, and the whole place feels closer to a small Naxi lord's palace than a hotel, while the facilities still meet every IHG standard.

Food and amenities

The next thing reviewers fall for is the 52,000-square-metre garden, with clear streams running between the buildings — walk it in the morning and you find small stone bridges, Naxi pavilions, plum blossom and decades-old bamboo. The heated indoor pool stays open all day, which suits Lijiang sitting 2,400 metres above sea level, the HARNN spa runs full service, and the gym has new equipment. The 4 restaurants cover an international buffet, Cantonese dim sum, Yunnan mushroom hotpot and a streamside cocktail bar that stays open until midnight.

Location and getting there

The resort sits on the southern edge of the old town, so you walk out the back gate and follow the stone lanes about 10 minutes to Sifang Square and the Mu Palace. Black Dragon Pool, where people shoot the snow mountain reflected in the water, is roughly 3 km away — a 10-minute taxi. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, at 5,596 metres, is about 26 km out, and the resort arranges the cable-car tour with an English-speaking guide. For Tiger Leaping Gorge you need a full day, and reception can book a private car. The airport is about 28 km and the railway station roughly 10 km.

Things to know before booking

This is the priciest pick in the list, starting around $183 a night and climbing to roughly $371 for the top rooms. The grounds are large, so expect a fair walk between your room and the pool or restaurants. And in high season the rooms go quickly — book one to two months ahead, ask for a garden- or stream-view room, and steer clear of the road-facing side.

Our take

The InterContinental Lijiang is the answer for anyone who wants a renowned luxury resort without losing the heritage feel of the old town. We give it a 9.6 and recommend it without reservation for couples, honeymooners, families with young kids, or a group of friends marking a special occasion. If the budget stretches, it is the pick we are proudest to open the list with.