Neighboring Tibet, the province of Sichuan is traversed by a mountain range older than the Himalayas. Its sharp peaks and mist-shrouded forests paint a picture of China far removed from the soaring skylines of Shanghai or Beijing: Su Shien Valley is found in a forested setting reminiscent of the ancient engravings of a thousand-year-old civilization. This cradle of Taoism makes the hotel an ideal refuge for a spiritual retreat and an initiation into ‘the way’ of ancient China. The lodge houses rooms and suites, each an invitation to Zen-like contemplation, with elegantly minimalistic décor–light wood, raw stone and fluid lines–in total harmony with the forest. Rooms also feature large bay windows, inviting you to meditate to the rhythm of the wind in the trees, and open onto interior courtyards, some with private traditional soaking tub. Explore the forest on long hikes before slipping into the warm waters of the onsen and relaxing with a traditional treatment to the sound of the songbo, a local musical instrument. The main restaurant nestled in the bamboo grove serves Sichuanese cuisine that follows the rhythm of the seasons, in perfect harmony with Taoist philosophy. ... Learn moreless