Pullman Lijiang Resort and Spa

Most UNESCO World Heritage sites aren’t exactly hotbeds for stylish, avant-garde hotel options; certainly this holds true for Lijiang, China. Fortunately there are plenty of other reasons to visit this ancient and historic settlement in northern Yunnan province. Three hundred and fifty-four of those reasons come in the form of the city’s famous bridges. (Presumably if a place is going to be called the City of Bridges, someone’s got to count them.) Above all, however, one comes for the stunning natural surroundings; this is one of the most wildly beautiful corners of a country with quite a few wildly beautiful places, and the fact that there’s as fine a hotel as the Pullman is really just icing on the cake. No, it’s not the most achingly hip hotel out there, but then again hipness, in a location like this one, is simply beside the point.

That location, by the way, is technically outside of town — not that you’re going to mind once you see the surrounding scenery. Visible from the hotel grounds are the snowcapped peaks of the Yùlóngxuě Shān mountain range — including the wonderfully named Jade Dragon Snow Mountain — and it’s an easy trip to the region’s most spectacular sights.

From outside, the resort’s look is that of a traditional local village, with the pleasing angles of the pagodas reflected in a tranquil central pond. But from inside, the Pullman is minimalist, even stark, with huge panes of spotless glass, expanses of immaculate white, and thoroughly contemporary amenities. Guest rooms are pristine, if a bit spartan at the entry level; the more lavish villas come with extras like underfloor heating, private courtyards and outdoor soaking tubs facing the mountains.

The Mandara spa specializes in treatments inspired by the region; think pu-erh tea body scrubs and acupressure facials. The resort’s ZUN Chinese restaurant does gourmet regional cuisine and the sleek XI Western restaurant offers al fresco seating, but the most interesting dining experience on site is Open Kitchen by Pullman, where you can watch dexterous local chefs prepare your food before you dine.