Hotel of the Day: Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain

China may be associated with innovation and modernity, with megacities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. But, there are still huge areas of the country which are beautifully remote, and a whole world away from modern urbanisation. In one such place, Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain Hotel can be found. It is around an hour away from Chengdu, and less than 10 minutes from one of the best places in China to see giant pandas.

Why is Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain One of the World’s Best Hotels?

Six Senses offers a glimpse into the beauty of rural China, while having all of the modern amenities and comforts that come with an ultra-luxury five-star hotel. Very few tourists venture out this far, and as such, your stay will not just be a memorable one, but a very quiet one – a whole world away from the smog, 24/7 lights, and beeping horns of Beijing and Shanghai.

Location

The hotel is located in central China, around an hour away from Chengdu, which is the nearest major city. The wild side of China has inspired countless geographers, historians and explorers alike over the years, and there are some claims that not all of China has been fully explored, adding an extra sense of Oriental mystery to the region.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the hotel sits at the foot of Qing Cheng Mountain, one of the last remaining giant panda strongholds in the world. There are only around 1,800 pandas left in the wild, and estimates of around 60 can be seen in and around the Qing Cheng Mountain area. Not only is this a haven for giant pandas, but also for many other native Chinese species, which have been driven out of their habitats over generations of human expansion.

The incredible surrounding scenery provides the ideal backdrop to the hotel, with sloping green hills, deep forests, snow-capped mountain peaks and turquoise waters flowing through the resort, making this place look like it’s straight out of a nature documentary.

Room Types

The accommodation offerings at Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain can be split into two distinct types: suites and villas.

Suites

The hotel’s suites are predominantly designed for couples or small families, as the majority can sleep up to three guests, with the exception of the Six Senses Family Suite, which can sleep up to four guests.

However, do not think that they are small just because they are aimed at couples: in fact, the smallest suite is still 79m².

Designed in traditional Chinese style, using lots of bamboo, and being open and airy, the suites offer guests a fantastic chance to experience fresh, outdoor-style living from the warmth and comfort of their own spacious room.

All suites on the ground floor level have direct access to the hotel’s stunning courtyard area, while suites above the ground floor all have balcony access.

Villas

The villas at Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain are aimed at larger groups or simply those who want more space.

The smallest villa is a two-bedroom villa, and can sleep up to six guests, while the largest – the Presidential Villa – sleeps up to 12 guests at any one time.

In fact, both two-bedroom villas can be connected via their own private courtyard space, making it the ideal location for a large family gathering, or perfect for a group of friends travelling and staying at the hotel.

Mountain views come as standard with the villas, as well as direct courtyard access, garden access, and pool access.

Facilities & Amenities

Traditional Chinese design takes precedence at Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain, and this includes everything from the plants which are grown in the hotel’s grounds – largely comprised of native Chinese species – to the design of each individual room, all of which feature classical elements of Chinese culture in their designs.

The indoor swimming pool is one of the best features of the hotel, as it is heated year-round, meaning it can be used even as the temperatures plummet well below freezing in the winter months, and its glass surroundings mean you have incredible views of the surrounding scenery while taking a dip.

For health and fitness-conscious travellers, there is a gym at the hotel complete with state-of-the-art facilities and machines, so that you don’t have to leave your workout routine at home while you’re travelling, while tennis, table tennis and bowling are just a few of the sports available to play at the hotel itself. There is also a spa on site, offering a range of treatments from facials to massages.

Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain is also very family-friendly, making it a great place to travel with your family if you have children.

Dining

Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain has several restaurants, all of which specialise in Asian cuisine.

Ziqiyuan Chinese Restaurant

Specialising in Sichuan cuisine – as the hotel is located in the province of Sichuan – you can expect fiery hot dishes and rich desserts. However, the restaurant also specialises in Cantonese cuisine, which is much milder but just as delicious – so even if you’re not a spicy food enthusiast, you’re still catered for at Ziqiyuan Chinese Restaurant.

Sarathai Restaurant

This restaurant offers a taste of Thailand, specialising in particular in dishes from the Chiang Mai region and Phuket, both of which have had strong cultural ties to China in the past.

There is also a private rooftop dining experience available to book called ‘Joy’, where couples have the chance to dine under the stars on the rooftop of the restaurant for the ultimate romantic dinner.

Farm 2 Fork

There is also a farm-to-fork dining experience available at Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain, where the entire menu changes seasonally, as the only produce used comes from the hotel’s grounds. Predominantly vegan, dairy-free and vegetarian, this restaurant is one of the best ways to showcase the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.

Bars

The Moon Bar is the hotel's high-end bar, where bartenders and skilled mixologists craft handmade and unique cocktails, perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif or a post-dinner celebratory drink.

On the other hand, the Plaza Bar is open during the day and serves a wide range of Chinese teas, as well as coffee, snacks such as cakes and muffins, and is a great place to socialise or catch a break during the day.

Experiences & Activities

One of the best activities offered at the hotel is a visit to the nearby Giant Panda Sanctuary, where over 40 giant pandas are looked after by a dedicated team of veterinary surgeons and scientists. Guests can see these elusive, shy, gentle giants under the care of some of the most qualified people in the world, and it is just ten minutes away from the hotel.

There are also lots of nearby hiking trails into the Qing Cheng Mountains, from those suitable for families with young children, to those aimed at experienced hikers. Boat trips can also be arranged via the hotel.

For those wanting to stay at the hotel or in and around its grounds, there is still a lot to do. As mentioned earlier, the hotel is great for those travelling with families, and just a few of the family-friendly activities available include children’s Sichuan cooking classes, an outdoor children’s play area, private garden cinema screenings and more.

Who It’s Best For

Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain has the advantage of attracting a range of travellers thanks to its flexible nature and the sheer amount of facilities.

It is perfect for a couple on their honeymoon or searching for a romantic break in rural China, while it is also a fantastic place to visit with your whole family – whether that’s you, your partner and your children, or a large family of up to 12 – the resort will be the perfect destination for your next escape.

Sustainability

Given its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Natural and Cultural Qing Cheng Mountains, sustainability is a key feature of Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain.

The hotel’s own farm cultivates its own vegetables, fruits and herbs, which all feature in the year-round dishes, depending on what is in season. Guests are also invited to the farm so they can see for themselves, while for children, a ‘Happy Farm’ event is run weekly, so they can see what the hotel does for sustainability in a way that they will understand.

The hotel also purifies and bottles natural mountain water, meaning there is no need for plastic bottles – there are none at the hotel – and they also reduce their carbon footprint due to collecting water from its very source.

In addition, 0.5% of the hotel’s total revenue goes towards a sustainability fund, which protects local wildlife and animal rescue centres.

Unique Selling Point

Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain has the advantage of being a remote paradise, filled with modern amenities and facilities, which make it perfect for couples or families visiting the region.

While the nearest big city is just under an hour away – a direct transfer service to both Chengdu airports is available to and from the hotel – the hotel itself transports you back to the time of a wild and mysterious China, long before European explorers set eyes on this incredible country.

The fact that so much traditional Chinese culture is preserved at the hotel in everything from its food to its architecture shows that it hasn’t shied away from its roots, while its commitment to sustainability is a genuine commitment, and not just a buzzword.

Whether you’re an eco-conscious traveller or simply looking for your next luxury family escape, Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain should be high on your priority list.