Deep in the mountainous northwest region of Yunnan, LUX* Tea Horse Road China has launched three exciting and remote new retreats.
The new additions complement the company’s existing boutique hotels in Lijiang and Benzilan, all of which are set along the 1,300-year-old Tea Horse Road trade route. A fourth retreat is expected to open in December.
A collection of unique retreats set against the backdrop of majestic mountain peaks, lush valleys, and deep gorges where the journey is the destination, each retreat has been thoughtfully conceptualized by Kunming-based interior designer Li Zhong to encapsulate the laid-back, natural surroundings whilst offering functional contemporary aesthetics.
The four retreats, ranging from six to 18 rooms, are located in Jibeike, where peach orchards cover the entire valley in pink blossoms during spring; Sangushui, with its lush vegetation, waterfalls, and natural springs; Daju Village, which is known for its majestic views of the snow-capped Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and is the gateway to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest canyons; and Baoshan Stone Town, perched on a rocky cliff with striking views of terraced fields, winding golden river and houses built from natural stones.
The retreats are all within three and a half hours’ drive from LUX* Tea Horse Road Lijiang, centrally located in the heart of the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 800 years of history; or a six-hour road trip from LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan, overlooking the Golden Sand (Jinsha) River that turns a sparkling turquoise during spring.
A haven of natural and cultural diversity, Yunnan is home to 25 of China’s 55 ethnic minorities. LUX* Tea Horse Road China transports the culturally curious to some of the province’s most extraordinary, off-grid destinations whilst offering immersive experiences deeply rooted in the cultures of the indigenous communities of each location.
Thoughtfully designed outings meant to celebrate the transformative nature of travel, known as Collectable Experiences, provide exclusive access to unique locations and encounters. From harvesting peaches for jam and making your own honey at Peach Valley to learning to cook Naxi delicacies taught by a local in their own home at Baoshan Stone Town, or enjoying the fresh mountain air and exploring Sangushui Village on a bicycle with a local, and picking up tips at a Naxi pottery workshop from a local artisan at Daju Village, these curated journeys are planned to fully immerse travelers into the local culture.
LUX* Tea Horse Road China presents one of the world’s greatest travel experiences, a wildly unique bespoke journey between some of the most beautiful, off the beaten track locations in Yunnan. The company has created a selection of packages varying between two and 14 nights, starting from either Shangri-La or Lijiang, that allow travelers an in-depth exploration of the outlying region whilst connecting deeply with the local culture and natural environment.
LUX* Tea Horse Road Stone Town will open on December 1, 2020, whilst two more hotels will join the LUX* Tea Horse Road China series located in Dali and Pu’er in early 2021 to complete the 1,400-mile experience.
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