Banyan Group has expanded its China portfolio with the debut of Banyan Tree Mount Emei, a 130-key resort set in the foothills of the sacred mountain in Sichuan Province. The property, which opened this month, positions itself as a gateway to the Mount Emei Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its mist-wrapped peaks, ancient Buddhist temples, and diverse ecosystems.
The resort's design draws on traditional Sichuan courtyard architecture, blending low-rise buildings into the forested landscape. Each of the 130 rooms and villas comes with a private outdoor hot spring pool, a feature that Banyan Group expects to appeal strongly to both leisure and corporate guests seeking a restorative retreat.
Wellness and dining at the new resort
Wellness is a core pillar of the property. The award-winning Banyan Tree Spa offers a menu of treatments inspired by local botanicals, while daily yoga sessions and a bamboo forest trail give guests structured ways to engage with the surroundings. The resort also plans to offer guided cultural excursions to nearby temples and villages, tapping into the growing demand for immersive destination experiences.
Dining options include Jiayao Chinese Restaurant, which serves Sichuan and Cantonese specialties, and Mingyue All-Day Dining, which blends Chinese and international flavors. Both venues use locally sourced ingredients, a point of differentiation that aligns with broader sustainability trends in hospitality.
MICE and accessibility
For the meetings and incentives segment, Banyan Tree Mount Emei provides more than 1,200 square metres of event space, including the Xiangzhang Ballroom and the Forest Platform, an outdoor venue suited for receptions and product launches. The property is located near Emeishan High-Speed Railway Station, putting it within roughly an hour of Chengdu's international airports. The upcoming opening of Leshan Airport in 2026 is expected to further shorten travel times from key source markets.
Philip Ding, Senior Vice President of Banyan Group, emphasized the destination's cultural and ecological significance. "We look forward to welcoming guests to our mountainside sanctuary as they explore this important destination at an unhurried pace," he said in a statement.
The opening adds to Banyan Group's growing footprint in China, where it operates under the Banyan Tree, Angsana, and other brands. The company has been actively expanding its wellness-oriented resorts across Asia, competing with groups like Aman and Six Senses for high-end travelers seeking nature-based escapes.
Travel advisors and tour operators can expect the property to be a strong seller for FIT and small-group itineraries that combine Chengdu's urban attractions with the mountain's spiritual and natural appeal. The resort's MICE facilities also make it a viable option for regional corporate events, particularly those looking for a venue that offers both productivity and relaxation.
For more on recent hotel openings in the region, see Langham's Bangkok debut and Preferred Hotels' latest additions. Industry professionals tracking hospitality expansion may also note Wyndham's EMEA growth as a sign of continued momentum in the sector.
