by Le Concierge Orient
discovering the Ancient Capitals of china
through beijing, xian, nanjing and hangzhou
An erstwhile imperial entity of colossal might, China is today a splendid repository of ancient capitals that showcase close to 3,000 years of Chinese heritage and culture in the midst of their 21st century evolution. While there are endless lists of historic sites to visit, the splendid hotels that have taken root in these cities are doubtlessly amongst some of their best modern day attractions. We handpick some of the best hospitality addresses and hotels discerning travellers will be happy to visit and inhabit within the opulent recesses of modern day Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Xi’an — four of China’s ancient capitals.
Beijing
The capital city of China’s last two royal dynasties, Beijing is also the capital of modern China. When the Ming emperor Zhu Di moved his capital from Nanjing to Beijing, he built the Forbidden Palace which till today is still the largest palace structure in the world. Magnificent and invaluably historic, the successive Qing dynasty also ruled from the Forbidden Palace, but extended their presence into the Summer Palace and Yuan Ming Palace around the nexus of the capital.
Rites and governance initiated by the Chinese were continued by the Manchus, and the functions of many historic buildings within the palace complex and others like the Temple of Heaven remained until the end of the dynasty. Beijing’s history actually predates China’s last two dynasties by a long stretch. It was the capital of older polities like Mongol Yuan (1279-1368), Khitan Liao (918-1125) and Jurchen Jin (1115-1234), more than 1,000 years after its turn as the capital city of the Yan state in the warring period from 11 century to 220 BCE.
As the capital of modern China, some of the country’s best hotels are naturally planted in Beijing.
The Launchpads
Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing
A hutong is a valuable vestige of Beijing’s historic quarters, and over the years fewer and fewer of these residential enclaves remain as mega development heats up across the city. Rarity in numbers notwithstanding, existing siheyuans (signature courtyard houses of the hutongs) have been fetching eye-popping prices over the years. In 2010, a renovated Siheyuan in Beijing’s Beihai Park was sold for a record USD 61.51 million. In 2025, a luxuriously outfitted Siheyuan in the Dongcheng district was put on the market for USD 78.3 million. Given these astronomical figures, it created quite a stir when the Mandarin Oriental Group announced that their latest opening in Beijing, Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, would be raised and incorporated into an actual hutong.
A visit in March 2025, just six months after the property was launched, confirmed that the hotel is truly as sensational as it is surprising. Certainly the refurnished courtyard houses are stunning — think plush furnishings, top-notch amenities and plenty of luxurious pampering littered throughout the stay. But this is probably the only instance where an ultra luxury hotel shares its compound with local residences, or perhaps vice versa if one is to be objective since many of these residents have been living in the hutong for generations. Just as the luxury quotient within these grand abodes are stratospheric, one is immediately brought back to earth the moment one steps out of the hotel confines, with sobering scenes of localised daily routines all part of the Qianmen experience.
In terms of curated experiences, the F&B scene here is buzzing — Tiao is a sophisticated hutong bar irresistible to the trendy set while Yan Garden by Chef Fei is pushing the city’s top tables for fine dining Canton and Chaoshan gastronomy. The Spa here, while not the most comprehensive in terms of facilities, is aptly luxurious with a host of oriental-centric treatments. With daily rates that hover around CNY 10,000 a night, these are to date the most expensive rooms in Beijing, and possibly China. Just to be clear, to be able to experience life in an existing hutong in this day and age should be a grand privilege, and the Mandarin Oriental signatures instilled at Qianmen are just the cream on this deliciously rarefied privilege.
Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing, No.1 Caochang Alley 10, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100005, China
Hotel Éclat Beijing
In the current climate, hotels can hang a few pictures on their walls or install a sculpture in the lobby and be packaged and marketed as art hotels by minders who know little about art or art hotels. But art is more than just decorative elements with exorbitant price tags circulating in auction houses, and it takes much more effort to create a true abode of art. Renowned art collector George Wong was clearly aware of what it would take, and the dedication and gumption he exhibited with the conception and creation of Hotel Éclat Beijing is testament to that. The late chairman of Parkview Group was known for his collection of more than 10,000 contemporary Chinese and Western art pieces, chief of which was his vast collection of Salvador Dalí paintings and sculptures, reputedly the largest outside of Spain.
His vision for Éclat Beijing is perceptibly directed, and there’s something engaging in every corner of this splendid hotel. There are sculptures by Dali, lithos by Warhol, seminal works by the who’s who of the modern Chinese masters (Zeng Fanzhi, Gao Xiaowu, Shen Jingdong et al), and beyond conventional pieces, there are also collections comprising unusual furniture, unearthed Chinese pottery, and a fleet of bicycles decked out in Fendi, Chanel and Hermès accoutrements on display.
Hotel Éclat Beijing is more than just an art hotel — it is a fabulously curated museum one can inhabit temporarily. And clearly, one is not going to find staid 2 by 4 hotel rooms in this establishment. Entry level rooms start at 35 sqm with the flourishes and comforts defined as Éclat Essentials in place, and besides three types of sumptuous suites (some outfitted with outdoor wave pools), there is a host of outrageously decorated themed suites (think Champs-Élysées, Star Wars and Piano Man) that await those with a penchant for personality and imagination.
Hotel Éclat Beijing, No. 9, DongDaQiao Road, Chaoyang Dist, Beijing 100020
InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun
InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun is a 300-key property located in Beijing’s stylish entertainment and fashion district. Location is one of this Intercontinental’s best advantages, being raised adjacent to the embassy and CBD areas with easy access to the city’s top iconic destinations. The ID of the rooms are also stylishly contemporary, with classic rooms leading in at 45 sqm. Curves are abundantly incorporated into the interior’s framing and designs, and when paired with the great city vistas some of these rooms open to, a sense of superfluidity is palpable when one enters for the first time.
The Sanlitun Suite is particularly comely with its spacious interiors drenched with views. Also, its oversized bathtub parked next to a generous stretch of window wall is one of the best bath experiences Beijing has to offer to date. With four distinct dining venues, there are plenty of culinary options under one roof, from creative Cantonese at Ying Chinese to award-winning steaks at Char Bar and Grill.
InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun, No. 1 South Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District Beijing, Beijing 100027 Mainland China
Xi’an
Sitting on the site of some of China’s oldest imperial capitals, Xi’an is a storied city that boasts of history and heritage spanning over 2000 years. Better known as Chang’an through antiquity, the city was the bastion of power for several of the Chinese empire’s greatest dynasties including the Western Zhou, Qin, Western Han, Sui, Northern Zhou and Tang.
Given its long and illustrious history, it is a pity that not many emblems of dynastic splendours survived into the present day but whatever did are monuments highly worth a visit. The most famous attraction of Xi’an is the Qin Terracotta Army, a sensational display of the awesome might and majesty of the First Emperor that is palpable even today. The most monumental relics from the Tang dynasty, often revered as China’s golden age of artistic resplendence, are the pair of Wild Goose Pagodas that have stood their grounds for over 1,300 years.
The surviving fortress walls that surround the old city are actually later additions from the Ming dynasty and offer a glimpse into what Chang’an might have looked like at the height of its glory. The collections on display in the Xi’an and Shaanxi History Museums will similarly offer peeks into the city’s grand imperial past.
The Launchpads
Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an
In an ancient city like Xi’an, anything short of half a millennia doesn’t really register as historical with all that is still standing or being unearthed into the modern era. For hotels however, Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Xi’an has its pride of palace in the city’s historical footnotes — built in 1953, the building, raised within the old walled city, was constructed to accommodate foreign guests and dignitaries visiting the northwestern region of China. Upon its completion, it was one of the tallest buildings in Xi’an and a fine example of modern architecture in the city, with grand French and Sino-Russian influences imbued into its imposing facade. In its heyday as a state building, it hosted many Chinese and foreign dignitaries, notable amongst them Queen Elizabeth II of UK, first Premier of the People’s Republic of China Zhou Enlai, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Peking opera master Mei Lanfang.
The building was extensively renovated before reopening in 2014 as the Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xian, the first Sofitel Legend property in China. Staff here still adhere to old-world refinements under European style uniforms and a milieu of nostalgia permeates the interiors. A comfortable spa and a handful of restaurants and bars were also raised to cater to guests returning from packed itineraries when touring Xi’an.
Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xian, 319 Dong Xin Street, Shaanxi, 710004 Xi’an, China
Ritz-Carlton Xi’an
The Ritz-Carlton, set within the central business district of Xi’an, comes with contemporary accommodations that might be preferred by travellers who have wandered into this ancient city without any predilection for sight-seeing and exploration. The furnishings here are modern but plush, the in-room views exceedingly urban but not unfamiliar, but most importantly the service orientation unmistakably Ritz-Carlton.
By conception the interior design of the property isn’t etched with much cultural references that tie it to the location, save for the pine sculptures and Chinese lattices that decorate every floor. Being in a venue so splendidly modern and detached from the past can feel a welcome departure, though. The suites, case in point, are spacious and delightfully modern. Dining options include Cantonese restaurant Jing Xuan, all-day dining spot Xi’an Kitchen, rooftop bar Flair, and Tasuro which serves Asian-Japanese cuisine. For a hit of adrenaline there is a gym and an indoor pool, and also a spa for some well-deserved pampering after a day out.
The Ritz-Carlton, Xi’an, No 50 Keji 2nd Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, 710075
W Xi’an
The concept of a W hotel may at first glance be somewhat incongruous to the elements of a heritage city like Xi’an, but in hindsight it is also a stroke of genius planting such an outrageously forward establishment in this thousand year old spot. Rising from the edge of the storied Qujiangchi Lake, W Xi’an dares to disrupt the ancient rhythm of the city with a fresh beat of style, energy, and indulgence. Spanning over 100,000 square metres and crowned with a soaring 17-metre-high Living Room, this is where the unexpected comes to play (think flashy lobby littered with highly chromatic light and art installations). With 372 stylish guest rooms and suites from the 5th to 26th floor, every room features a spacious private balcony — your personal perch to soak in panoramic views in a tranquil enclave not far from the cultural attractions.
There are three dining destinations catering to a diverse palate: WEI serves buffets and international flavours, YEN Chinese Restaurant dishes up delectable Huaiyang cuisine and WOOBAR satisfies one’s cravings for sophisticated cocktails. Take a plunge in the indoor/outdoor WET, work out at FIT, or surrender to the scene-stealing luxuries at AWAY Spa for that glow-up moment. W Xi’an is a show stopper from conception to delivery and a destination in itself even in the storied city.
W Xi’an, 333 Qujiang Chi East Road, Qujiang New District, Xi’an, China
Nanjing
Nanjing has a history that stretched from the 3rd century to 1949, and was once one of the world’s largest cities during the Ming dynasty with a population of 487,000 in 1400. It served as the capital of Eastern Wu (AD229–280), one of the three major states in the Three Kingdoms period, and as the capital for successive Southern Chinese dynasties from AD317 to 589. After the fall of the Tang Dynasty, it again rose in prominence as the capital of the Southern Tang (937–75) but it was not until the Ming dynasty when, for the first time, all of China was ruled from the city (1368–1421).
Alas, after the Yongle emperor usurped the throne from his nephew, he moved the Ming capital to Beijing after the Forbidden City was raised. It wasn’t until the fall of the Qing Dynasty when Nanjing, briefly in 1912, and again in 1927, became the capital of the Republic of China under the Kuomintang. Currently Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu province and the historical and cultural attractions not to be missed here includes Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Fuzimiao (Confucius Temple), Ming Palace (ruins), Chaotian Palace (Municipal Museum of Nanjing).
The Launchpads
Shangri-La Nanjing
At the heart of Gulou District, Shangri-La Nanjing provides an elegant respite from the bustling city, a mere 10-minute drive from Nanjing Railway Station. The property features 450 guest rooms and 21 serviced apartments raised in the classical contemporary style most Shangri-la hotels are known for. With its fabulous location, the hotel overlooks Xuanwu Lake with easy access to the major attractions in Nanjing, like the nearby Nanjing City Walls and mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Shangri-La Nanjing delivers an impressive array of dining options including international buffet spreads at Café Xuan and authentic Huaiyang cuisine dishes at the renowned Jiangnan Wok, reputedly the most popular Chinese restaurant of the entire Shangri-La chain in China. There is a Horizon Club Lounge that serves breakfast and evening cocktails plus a host of other benefits for Club guests which also opens to sweeping views of the Purple Mountain as the sun begins to set over the ancient capital turned modern metropolis.
Shangri-La Nanjing, 329 Zhongyang Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210037 China
The Ritz-Carlton, Nanjing
There are Ritz-Carlton hotels all over China and there is the Ritz-Carlton Nanjing, raised singular and superfine. Occupying the top floors of the Deji Plaza, this artfully crafted luxury hotel features rooms and suites that showcase contemporary designs infused with elements reflecting Nanjing’s ancient culture. Featuring standalone soaking tubs and fabulously curated art collections throughout the property, all the rooms and suites here overlook the splendid views below.
Located on the 58th floor, The Ritz-Carlton Club here features floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a panoramic view over the city, Xuanwu Lake and Purple Mountain. True to the exacting standards of a Ritz-Carlton lounge, guests are attended to by a battalion of dedicated staff and enjoy exclusive amenities like daily five culinary presentations including afternoon tea and evening cocktails. The Club experience also includes drop-off limousine service within 2 miles from the hotel. All the lavish flourishes and opulent embellishments may appear a tad excessive even for a Ritz-Carlton at first glance, but when your owners also own the most profitable luxury mall in China, the extravagance is understandable. After all, Deji Plaza’s 2024 sales amounted to CNY 24.5 billion, and was reputedly the best performing luxury mall in the whole of China.
The Ritz-Carlton, Nanjing, No 18 Zhongshan Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210018
Hangzhou
Hangzhou came into prominence during the Sui and Tang dynasty and renowned poets Bai Juyi and Su Dongpo were both appointed governor of the prefecture. Both poets, like many tourists who visit Hangzhou today, enjoyed the West Lake tremendously, visiting it often. In the years to follow, Hangzhou was the capital of the Wuyue Kingdom from 907 to 978 during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Named Xifu (西府) at the time, it was one of the three great bastions of culture in southern China during the tenth century along with Nanjing and Chengdu.
Hangzhou also became a cosmopolitan centre, drawing scholars from throughout China and conducting diplomacy with neighbouring Japan, Goryeo, and the Khitan Liao dynasty. Hangzhou was chosen as the new capital of the Southern Song dynasty in 1132, when most of northern China had been conquered by the Jurchens in the Jin-Song wars. From 1132 until the Mongol invasion of 1276, Hangzhou remained the capital of the Southern Song dynasty and was known as Lin’an. Today Hangzhou is a splendid repository of the artistic and scholastic pursuits in the region collectively known as Jiangnan (which includes nearby Suzhou, Wuxi and Nanjing), a region renowned for its cultural brilliance and elegant architecture.
The Launchpads
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
Consistently regarded as one of China’s most beautiful hotels, Four Seasons Hangzhou at West Lake owes much to the West Lake for its alluring ambiance and aspects. Within the classically Chinese architecture here are some of the largest accommodations in the city, and while these are not new rooms, they are still extremely comfortable and elegantly bedecked, with garden view rooms starting from a spacious 63 sqm. The modern-Chinoisserie interior design is exquisitely wrought, and the building collectively falls into the mould of a classical Hangzhou garden abode. The stunning grounds here lend an air of seclusion and connect guests to a bygone age of Jiangnan refinements conveyed through every shrub and pavilion, rock and stream.
Planted right at the cultural heart of this ancient city by the West Lake, magic awaits at this luxurious resort quite attuned to its fabled environs. A perfect day here might go something like this — start with a cup of Longjing tea at the Lobby Lounge before picking up the bicycles and heading out to explore the city, then come back for a soothing treatment in the Spa, followed by dinner in one of Jin Sha’s private-dining rooms. Jin Sha is of course one of China’s top rated Chinese restaurants, helmed by award winning chef Wang Yong who has been honing his skills in exquisite Zhejiang cuisine within this beautiful space since it opened in 2006.
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake, 5 Lingyin Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China 310013
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Center
Raised within the spanking new Hangzhou Center, the city’s new landmark mixed-use hub of commerce and culture, is the Four Seasons Hangzhou at Hangzhou Center, also one of the luxury operator’s latest openings in China. The design of this property is overridingly contemporary, with just a soupçon of cultural accents one can expect from a luxury hotel anchored in the heart of Hangzhou.
The 214 guest rooms and suites here are plush and inviting, leading in at 54 sqm, and offer a range of iconic Hangzhou views, from the modern cityscape to the timeless charm of the Grand Canal, a celebrated UNESCO Heritage Site. The premier grand canal view rooms are the most sought after rooms here, chiefly due to the abundance of window wall spaces, which extend to its signature bath experience drenched with enviable views of the Grand Canal below.
There are five restaurants and lounges that provide immersive culinary journeys spanning continents and tastes, with the Ningbo cuisine offered at its one-Michelin-starred Song restaurant not to be missed when exploring Hangzhou. Blending advanced scientific spa modalities with classic techniques in a serene setting, the comprehensive menu at the Four Seasons Spa here offers signature therapies alongside locally inspired treatments.
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Center, 493 Zhongshan North Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, China 310005
Conrad Hangzhou
The Conrad Hangzhou soars above the Shang Cheng District of central Hangzhou right across from the Qiantang River, under a mile from venues like the Hangzhou Grand Theatre and the International Conference Center. The height of the hotel grants it a fabulous vantage for the urban vistas of modern Hangzhou, and the spacious rooms are all cleverly outfitted with modern décor, rich wood detailing and floor-to-ceiling windows. There is an indoor pool, a spa and a high-tech fitness center catering to the health and leisure needs of guests.
The Conrad Hangzhou also offers top-notch dining experiences at four dining venues, from afternoon tea and live music at Jin to sweeping views and creative Chinese cuisine at Li’An, doubtlessly one of the best fine-dining Chinese restaurants in Hangzhou.
Conrad Hangzhou, No. 228 Xinye Road, Shangcheng District Hangzhou, 310016 China
