In Brief: Banyan Group has opened Banyan Tree Mount Emei in the foothills of Mount Emei in China’s Sichuan Province.
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Banyan Tree Mount Emei – Image Credit Banyan Group
Banyan Tree Mount Emei is near the Mount Emei Scenic Area, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed for its cultural and natural significance. Mount Emei, also known as Emeishan, is one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains.
The resort has 130 rooms and villas across six categories, each with a private outdoor hot spring pool. Accommodations include Mountain View Rooms, Garden Villas, one- and two-bedroom Lakeside Villas, and a 320-square-meter Presidential Villa. The Presidential Villa includes a private garden of similar size and a terrace overlooking the forest and stream.
The property’s design draws on traditional courtyard homes of western Sichuan and follows the contours of a forested valley. During development, seven century-old camphor trees and all existing trees with trunk diameters greater than 10 centimeters were retained in their original locations. Pathways through the bamboo forest follow the terrain, with bamboo growing through and alongside the walkways.
The arrival area leads to an open-air courtyard based on the Chinese architectural principle of “four waters returning to the hall,” or si shui gui tang, in which pitched roofs direct rainwater into a central courtyard.
The resort includes a Banyan Tree Spa with five private treatment rooms for couples, a rainforest-inspired hydrothermal experience and a spa cafe. Other facilities include a bamboo forest trail, a temperature-controlled swimming pool with views of bamboo groves and the lake, a yoga studio and a fitness center.
Banyan Tree Gallery presents local crafts and cultural creations from artisans and makers in the surrounding community. Guest activities include Emei martial arts, traditional tie-dyeing and bamboo weaving. The Terra Kids Club offers nature, exploration and art activities for younger guests.
Dining venues include Jiayao Chinese Restaurant, which serves regional Sichuan and Cantonese dishes, as well as contemporary interpretations. Mingyue All-Day Dining offers Chinese and international cuisine. The Lobby Lounge serves afternoon tea and evening drinks. Destination Dining is available by the lake, in the bamboo grove, in the Mid-Lake Pavilion, aboard a traditional black-canopy boat and in the Study Room.
The resort has more than 1,200 square meters of indoor and outdoor event space. The pillarless Xiangzhang Ballroom measures 500 square meters and is accompanied by an approximately 220-square-meter foyer and a garden terrace. The Forest Platform covers approximately 500 square meters in the bamboo forest.
The Study Room, designed by architect Zhuang Ziyu, contains six multifunctional rooms for cultural gatherings, private dining, tea rituals and calligraphy. Its name derives from Huizong Hall, the original name of the nearby Baoguo Temple.
Banyan Tree Mount Emei is a five-minute drive from Emeishan High-Speed Railway Station and about two minutes from the Mount Emei Scenic Area entrance. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is approximately two hours away by car, while Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is about two hours and 15 minutes away. Leshan Airport is expected to begin operations later in 2026 and will be approximately 40 minutes from the resort by car.
