Jinghong, China
InterContinental Xishuangbanna Resort
Rainforest palace resort
Jinghong, China
Renovated
2020
Price
$$
Rated for
Resort Local DesignOutside the door
The house
IHGRainforest palace resort
The resort runs like an open-air royal court, where timber pavilions and reflecting pools look out over dense rainforest.
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Rainforest grounds across four hundred acres host terraced rice planting and water-splashing ceremonies.
Notable
An on-site Dai Buddhist temple hosts traditional thread-tying rituals and seasonal blessing ceremonies.
Listed
Deep timber paneling and lantern sconces interpret traditional Dai royal palace architecture.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
The architecture speaks Dai palace: deep timber paneling, gold-inlaid floral headboards, carved lattice screens, and lantern wall sconces throughout the rooms.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Set across 400 acres of rainforest grounds on the Lancang River, away from downtown Jinghong.
The rooms
Bedrooms open past timber fretwork toward the gardens, pairing traditional Dai flourishes with spacious seating areas.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The pools and baths
A freeform swimming pool winds through the gardens, and the wellness center houses a heated indoor pool and communal hot baths.
Lotus Thai Restaurant
Thai dishes are served on a covered wooden veranda, where peacocks wander across the deck overlooking the rainforest.
At the table
Man Lin serves regional Yunnan dishes beneath timber pillars, and evening cocktails are poured under carved palace pavilion arches.
How it began
The grounds originally belonged to the Dai King's Palace, bordering the Lancang River in the borderlands of southern Yunnan.
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.