Lijiang, ChinaLijiang Old Town
Zen Garden Hotel
Hilltop Naxi inn
Lijiang Old Town Lijiang, China
Opened
2008
Price
$$
Rated for
Local Design HeritageOutside the door
Hilltop Naxi inn
The inn perches on Lion Hill above Dayan, centering stays around open courtyards and panoramic views across the tiled roofs.
What it’s good at
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Sixteen rooms fill two floors of a timber-and-stone Naxi building, each sharing some version of that view from a private balcony.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Wenchang Palace sits right next door on Lion Hill, and Old Town's stone alleys are a five-minute walk downhill.
The rooms
Rooms wrap around the central courtyard, and upper-floor balconies look straight out across Old Town's tiled rooftops.
At the table
Breakfast brings regional Yunnan pancakes and sweet ginger soup to wooden tables looking out over the old town roofs.
Lijiang
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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.