Banyan Group has strengthened its presence in China's luxury hospitality market with the opening of Banyan Tree Mount Emei in Sichuan Province, expanding the company's flagship Banyan Tree brand in one of the country's most culturally and environmentally significant destinations. Positioned at the foothills of Mount Emei, the new resort provides direct access to the Mount Emei Scenic Area, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for both its cultural and natural significance. The opening represents another milestone in Banyan Group's expansion strategy in China while adding new hospitality infrastructure in a destination known for its biodiversity and centuries-old cultural heritage.
The resort is located near one of China's Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, placing it within a destination that combines ecological importance with longstanding cultural traditions. Banyan Group has positioned the property as a mountainside sanctuary that encourages visitors to engage with the surrounding landscape, local traditions, and natural environment beyond conventional sightseeing experiences.
Philip Ding, Senior Vice President, Head of Hotel Operations, Northeast Asia and Business Development, China, at Banyan Group, said Mount Emei occupies a unique position within China's cultural and natural heritage, bringing together historical traditions and ecological value. He noted that the resort is designed to provide guests with opportunities to experience the destination at a more measured pace while engaging with its landscape, living traditions, and natural rhythms.
The development introduces a property whose architectural approach is closely integrated with its natural surroundings. Inspired by the traditional courtyard homes of western Sichuan, Banyan Tree Mount Emei reinterprets regional architectural elements through a contemporary design that follows the contours of a forested valley. Landscaping, building placement, and guest experiences have all been developed around the surrounding environment and local culture.
Environmental preservation formed part of the project's development process. Seven century-old camphor trees were retained in their original locations, together with every existing tree measuring more than 10 centimetres in trunk diameter. Bamboo forest pathways were designed to follow the natural terrain, allowing bamboo to continue growing alongside and through the walkways while maintaining the site's existing landscape.
The arrival sequence introduces guests through mature camphor trees into an open-air courtyard inspired by the traditional Chinese architectural principle known as "four waters returning to the hall" or si shui gui tang, where pitched roofs direct rainwater into a central courtyard. Across the resort, architectural elements incorporate filtered natural light, flowing water, mountain air, and views of bamboo groves and forested hillsides to create an integrated relationship between built spaces and the surrounding environment.
Banyan Tree Mount Emei comprises 130 rooms and villas across six accommodation categories, with every unit featuring a private outdoor hot spring pool. Mountain View Rooms overlook seasonal landscapes, while Garden Villas provide access to private gardens. One-bedroom and two-bedroom Lakeside Villas include landscaped courtyards positioned beside the water. The resort's Presidential Villa spans 320 square metres and includes a private garden of similar size together with a terrace overlooking the surrounding forest and stream, providing additional privacy for families and small groups.
Additional wellness amenities include bamboo forest walking trails, outdoor yoga sessions, weightless floating therapy experiences, a temperature-controlled swimming pool overlooking bamboo groves and the lake, a dedicated yoga studio, and a fitness centre. These facilities extend the property's focus on integrating wellbeing with its natural surroundings.
Local culture has also been incorporated into the guest experience through a range of activities and community partnerships. Banyan Tree Gallery showcases locally produced crafts and cultural creations while supporting artisans and makers from the surrounding area. Guests are offered opportunities to participate in Emei martial arts, traditional tie-dyeing, and bamboo weaving, creating direct engagement with regional cultural practices. The Terra Kids Club provides younger visitors with activities centred on nature, exploration, creativity, and art.
Food and beverage offerings have been developed around regional culinary traditions while incorporating broader Chinese and international influences. Jiayao Chinese Restaurant focuses on Sichuan cuisine using locally sourced ingredients alongside Cantonese specialities and contemporary interpretations. Mingyue All-Day Dining serves both Chinese and international dishes with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and health-conscious selections, accompanied by views across the lake and surrounding mountains. The Lobby Lounge transitions from afternoon tea service to evening beverages throughout the day.
The resort also introduces Banyan Tree's Destination Dining experiences within multiple outdoor settings. Private dining options include afternoon tea aboard a traditional black-canopy boat, meals at the Mid-Lake Pavilion, dining within the bamboo forest, and tea gatherings in the Study Room.
Beyond accommodation and leisure facilities, Banyan Tree Mount Emei adds meeting and event infrastructure to the destination with more than 1,200 square metres of flexible indoor and outdoor event space. The property's event facilities include the pillarless Xiangzhang Ballroom, spanning 500 square metres, together with an approximately 220-square-metre foyer and adjoining garden terrace designed to support seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor functions.
A separate Forest Platform offers approximately 500 square metres of event space within the bamboo forest, bordered by bamboo on one side and pine trees on the other. The resort also features the Study Room, a standalone building situated away from the main resort complex. Named after Huizong Hall, the original name of the nearby Baoguo Temple, the building was designed by contemporary Chinese architect Zhuang Ziyu to follow the natural contours of the mountainside. It houses six multifunctional rooms that can accommodate cultural gatherings, private dining, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy sessions.
Accessibility also supports the property's position within the region's hospitality landscape. Banyan Tree Mount Emei is located approximately five minutes by car from Emeishan High-Speed Railway Station and around two minutes from the entrance to the Mount Emei Scenic Area. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport can be reached in approximately two hours by road, while Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is around two hours and 15 minutes away. Leshan Airport, scheduled to begin operations later in 2026, is expected to reduce travel time further, with the resort located approximately 40 minutes away by car following the airport's opening.