Choosing the right hotel can completely change the way you experience a city.
In China, luxury hotels are no longer only about five-star rooms and international service. Some of the most interesting properties are closely connected to their neighborhoods, architecture and local culture.
In Beijing, you can stay steps from the Forbidden City.
In Shanghai, you can choose between restored shikumen residences and contemporary design hotels.
In Chengdu and Sichuan, luxury can mean everything from an urban retreat beside Taikoo Li to a quiet stay in the forests of Qingcheng Mountain.
Here are some of our favorite luxury hotels to consider for a customized China journey.
Best Luxury Hotels in Beijing
Regent Beijing
Best for: First-time visitors who want a central location
Regent Beijing is located in Wangfujing, close to the Forbidden City and Beijing’s historic hutong neighborhoods, while also offering easy access to the city’s shopping and dining areas. The hotel is also directly beside Dengshikou metro station.
Its rooms combine contemporary interiors with subtle Chinese design elements, and some higher-floor rooms offer views toward the Forbidden City.
For travelers visiting Beijing for the first time, its main advantage is convenience: many of the city’s essential sights are relatively easy to reach.
Why stay here
- Central Wangfujing location
- Convenient for the Forbidden City and hutongs
- Spacious rooms
- Classic international luxury experience
Best for: First-time China visitors, couples and travelers who prioritize location.
The PuXuan Hotel and Spa
Best for: Design-conscious travelers
The PuXuan sits at the northern end of Wangfujing, close to the Forbidden City, in one of Beijing’s most historically significant central districts. Its positioning deliberately combines contemporary architecture with the heritage of the surrounding neighborhood.
Compared with a traditional grand luxury hotel, The PuXuan feels more understated and design-led.
It is a good choice for travelers who care as much about architecture, interiors and atmosphere as they do about service.
Why stay here
- Modern architectural identity
- Close to Beijing’s historic center
- Quiet, understated luxury
- Strong sense of place
Best for: Architecture lovers, couples and design-focused travelers.
The Peninsula Beijing
Best for: Classic luxury and polished service
The Peninsula Beijing is located in Wangfujing, close to both the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The hotel combines Chinese architectural references, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary technology.
This is the option for travelers who prefer a very polished, established luxury experience rather than a smaller boutique atmosphere.
Why stay here
- Prime central location
- Classic Peninsula service
- Strong Chinese design influences
- Convenient for major historical sights
Best for: Luxury travelers, families and guests who value highly polished service.
Best Luxury Hotels in Shanghai
Hotel Indigo Shanghai Jing’an
Best for: Boutique style and neighborhood character
Hotel Indigo Shanghai Jing’an sits near Suzhou Creek and draws heavily on the neighborhood’s history, including Shanghai’s Haipai culture and cinematic heritage.
Its design mixes local storytelling with a more playful boutique-hotel atmosphere.
Compared with some of Shanghai’s more formal luxury hotels, this is a good option for travelers who want something more individual and design-driven.
Why stay here
- Suzhou Creek location
- Strong local design story
- Cinema and Haipai-inspired interiors
- Boutique feel
Best for: Younger luxury travelers, design lovers and repeat visitors to Shanghai.
Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
Best for: Heritage architecture and privacy
Capella Shanghai is one of the most distinctive luxury stays in the city.
It is set within a preserved cluster of traditional shikumen architecture in Xuhui District. The property features restored villas inspired by Shanghai’s 1930s residential heritage, with private living spaces and courtyards.
This makes the hotel feel less like staying in a conventional tower and more like temporarily living inside historic Shanghai.
Why stay here
- Restored shikumen villas
- Strong sense of Shanghai history
- Private residential atmosphere
- Excellent choice for longer stays
Best for: Couples, families, architecture lovers and travelers looking for privacy.
Upper House Shanghai
Best for: Contemporary design and quiet luxury
Upper House Shanghai is located in the historic Dazhongli neighborhood in Jing’an, close to West Nanjing Road. It is positioned as a design-led, residential-style luxury hotel in central Shanghai.
The interiors were designed by architect Piero Lissoni and incorporate Chinese materials including porcelain, bamboo and lacquered textures.
It works particularly well for travelers who want to be central without staying somewhere that feels overly formal.
Why stay here
- Central Jing’an location
- Contemporary design
- Residential atmosphere
- Art, fashion and food nearby
Best for: Design-conscious travelers, couples and business-leisure trips.
Best Luxury Hotels in Chengdu
Upper House Chengdu
Best for: Contemporary Chengdu with heritage character
Upper House Chengdu sits beside Taikoo Li and Daci Temple in the heart of the city. The property is built around preserved heritage architecture and combines traditional Chengdu references with contemporary design.
The hotel has 100 rooms and 42 serviced apartments, making it relatively intimate compared with many large luxury hotels.
One of its most distinctive features is the restored Qing Dynasty building and courtyard incorporated into the property.
It is one of the strongest choices for travelers who want to explore Chengdu on foot while still having a calm place to return to.
Why stay here
- Beside Taikoo Li and Daci Temple
- Heritage architecture
- Contemporary design
- Strong connection to Chengdu culture
Best for: Couples, food lovers, design travelers and first-time Chengdu visitors.
Luxury Beyond Chengdu: Su Shien Valley
Su Shien Valley, Qingcheng Mountain
Best for: Nature, wellness and a slower Sichuan experience
If you want to move beyond city hotels, Su Shien Valley offers a completely different kind of luxury.
Located near Qingcheng Mountain in Dujiangyan, the property is surrounded by forest and draws inspiration from the area's Taoist heritage. It has been a member of Relais & Châteaux since 2024.
The hotel has just 20 rooms and suites, with a restrained design using wood, stone and large windows opening toward the surrounding landscape. Some rooms also feature private traditional soaking tubs.
Activities include hiking, tea ceremonies, meditation, cultural experiences, cooking classes and wellness treatments.
This is not simply somewhere to sleep between sightseeing days.
It is better treated as part of the itinerary itself.
Why stay here
- Forest setting near Qingcheng Mountain
- Taoist cultural influence
- Only 20 rooms and suites
- Wellness and nature experiences
- Easy to combine with Dujiangyan and western Sichuan
Best for: Honeymoons, wellness travelers, couples and anyone wanting to slow down after several busy cities.
Which Luxury Hotel Is Right for You?
If you prefer classic five-star luxury, consider:
Regent Beijing or The Peninsula Beijing
If you care about architecture and contemporary design:
The PuXuan, Upper House Shanghai or Upper House Chengdu
If you want a strong sense of local heritage:
Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li
If you prefer a smaller boutique atmosphere:
Hotel Indigo Shanghai Jing’an
If you want to leave the city and experience nature and wellness:
Su Shien Valley
A Luxury China Itinerary Could Look Like This
One of the best ways to experience China is to vary the style of accommodation throughout the trip.
For example:
Beijing
The PuXuan Hotel and Spa
↓
Xi’an
Luxury city stay
↓
Chengdu
Upper House Chengdu
↓
Qingcheng Mountain
Su Shien Valley
↓
Shanghai
Capella Shanghai or Upper House Shanghai
Instead of staying in similar international hotels in every destination, the accommodation becomes part of the journey itself.
Can These Hotels Be Included in a Customized China Trip?
Yes.
All of the hotels featured in this guide can be incorporated into itineraries arranged by Joy Traveller, subject to availability for your travel dates.
We can combine your preferred hotel style with:
- Private airport and railway transfers
- Private English-speaking guides
- Restaurant reservations
- Cultural experiences
- High-speed rail and domestic flights
- Private day trips
- Multi-city China itineraries
You do not need to choose every hotel yourself.
Tell us whether you prefer heritage properties, contemporary design, classic five-star luxury or secluded retreats, and we can recommend hotels that fit the rest of your journey.
Plan Your Luxury China Journey
The best luxury trip through China is not simply about choosing the most expensive hotel in each city.
It is about matching each stay to the destination.
Beijing might call for imperial history and classic luxury.
Shanghai can be about design and architecture.
Chengdu offers a more relaxed urban experience, while Qingcheng Mountain gives you the chance to slow down completely.
At Joy Traveller, we can arrange these hotels as part of a customized China itinerary built around your dates, interests and preferred travel style.
Planning a luxury trip to China? Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll help you choose the right hotels along the way.