Hot tourism destinations and new hotels throughout the country
Beijing
The Chinese capital will retain its popularity in 2014, enhancing its appeal with new hotels. March will bring Waldorf Astoria to Jinyu Hutong, just a short walk from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, while the first Rosewood Hotels & Resorts property in China is also scheduled for spring. The 283-room Rosewood Beijing will be located in the downtown Chaoyang District, opposite the iconic CCTV Tower. Starwood will also open the W Beijing in late June, located in downtown Jianguomennei.
Yanqi Lake
Framed by mountains near the Great Wall of China, Yanqi Lake is an up-and-coming destination for the fall. Soon, it will be home to Kempinski Yanqi Lake, a circular 306-room hotel on the lakeshore, as well as 12 boutique hotels on an offshore island. There will also be a State Guest House, a spa, 14 restaurants and bars, a yacht marina, and an 18-hole golf course.
Shanghai
New developments for visitors to Shanghai include the Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai – opened in 2013 – and its new 30-minute guided tours of the riverside and area sights by Segway. At the Peninsula Shanghai on the Bund, guests can take tours of Shanghai in a Mini Cooper S Clubman or enjoy a sunset cruise on the Huangpu River.
Chengdu
Another developing destination for 2014 is Chengdu, capital of the Sichuan Province, famous for its Giant Panda Sanctuary and Research Centre that is home to more than 80 pandas. One of China’s fastest developing cities, Chengdu welcomed The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu last October, overlooking Tianfu Square. And in May, The St. Regis Chengdu will open in the city’s business district.
Jiuzhaigou Valley
This magnificent valley is another hot spot this year, deriving its name from the nine Tibetan villages in three interesting valleys in the Minshan Mountains. The valley is home to UNESCO-designated Jiuzhaigou National Park, where year-round alpine scenery affords visitors views of spectacular limestone karsts, glaciers, waterfalls, and lakes.
