Banyan Tree Mount Emei has opened in China’s Sichuan Province, offering 130 rooms and villas with private outdoor hot-spring pools minutes from the UNESCO-listed Mount Emei Scenic Area.
The mountainside resort, which officially opened on 1 August, expands Banyan Group’s flagship brand in China. Set in the foothills of Mount Emei, close to Baoguo Temple, it offers a base for exploring one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, an area known for its temples, forested peaks and rich biodiversity.
“Mount Emei holds a distinctive place in China’s cultural and natural heritage,” Philip Ding, senior vice president and head of hotel operations for Northeast Asia and business development for China at Banyan Group, said in the opening announcement.
Western Sichuan design among bamboo and camphor trees
Inspired by the courtyard homes of western Sichuan, Banyan Tree Mount Emei follows the contours of a forested valley rather than imposing a rigid plan on the site. Pitched roofs around the arrival courtyard channel rainwater inwards, based on the traditional architectural principle known as si shui gui tang, or “four waters returning to the hall”.
Seven century-old camphor trees were retained during development, along with every existing tree measuring more than 10 centimetres in trunk diameter. Paths through the bamboo forest also follow the natural terrain, with bamboo growing beside and through parts of the walkways.
The resort is shaped around filtered light, running water and views across the surrounding forest. Mature camphor trees frame the entrance, while bamboo groves and wooded slopes remain visible from public spaces throughout the property.
Every room and villa has an outdoor hot-spring pool
The resort’s 130 rooms and villas are divided across six accommodation categories. Each includes a private outdoor hot-spring pool.
Mountain View Rooms frame the scenery as it changes through the seasons, while Garden Villas open into secluded gardens. One- and two-bedroom Lakeside Villas have landscaped waterside courtyards, making them well suited to couples or families seeking additional privacy.
At the top of the collection, the 320-square-metre Presidential Villa comes with a private garden of a similar size. Its terrace looks towards the forest and stream, with enough room for families and small groups to stay together.
Spa rituals and Sichuan cultural experiences
Within the resort, Banyan Tree Spa includes five private treatment rooms designed for couples. Its treatments draw on Asian healing practices and local influences, complemented by a Rainforest-inspired hydrothermal area and a spa café for time between sessions.
Guests can also follow the bamboo forest trail, join morning yoga or try weightless floating therapy. A temperature-controlled swimming pool faces the bamboo groves and lake through a 180-degree view, while the yoga studio and fitness centre provide indoor alternatives.
The cultural programme includes Emei martial arts, traditional tie-dyeing and bamboo weaving. Banyan Tree Gallery presents crafts and cultural pieces from local makers, while the Terra Kids Club combines nature activities with art and exploration for younger guests.
A separate Study Room takes its name from Huizong Hall, the former name of nearby Baoguo Temple. Designed by contemporary Chinese architect Zhuang Ziyu, the mountainside building contains six multifunctional rooms used for private dining, tea rituals, calligraphy and cultural gatherings.
Sichuan dining beside the lake and bamboo grove
Jiayao Chinese Restaurant is the resort’s main destination for regional cooking, pairing locally sourced ingredients and Sichuan specialities with Cantonese favourites. Mingyue All-Day Dining serves Chinese and international dishes, with seasonal ingredients and lighter choices alongside lake and mountain views.
The Lobby Lounge shifts from afternoon tea to evening drinks as the light changes across the foothills. More private Destination Dining experiences can be arranged aboard a traditional black-canopy boat, in the Mid-Lake Pavilion or among the bamboo.
The property offers over 1,200 square metres of flexible space for weddings and private events. This includes the pillarless, 500-square-metre Xiangzhang Ballroom and a similarly sized Forest Platform positioned between bamboo and pine trees.
Travelling to Banyan Tree Mount Emei
Banyan Tree Mount Emei is around two minutes by car from the Mount Emei Scenic Area entrance and five minutes from Emeishan High-Speed Railway Station.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is approximately two hours away by road, while Chengdu Tianfu International Airport takes about two hours and 15 minutes. Leshan Airport, which is expected to begin operating later in 2026, will be around a 40-minute drive from the resort.
