Where to Stay in China: Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu — 9 Hotels by District

China's three most useful luxury bases are Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu — and each one has a district decision that changes the whole trip. Shanghai is the Bund or Pudong; Beijing is the hutongs or the CBD; Chengdu is the old city centre or the new one.

Here are nine hotels, by district, with who each one is wrong for — plus the routing that makes a two-week China trip work.

Shanghai: the Bund or Pudong?

The Bund is the historic riverfront — colonial buildings, the promenade, and the skyline across the water. Pudong is the newer side: towers, malls, and the view back at the Bund. Former French Concession is plane trees, cafés and low-rise streets.

1. The Peninsula Shanghai — the Bund

On the Bund itself, art-deco in style, with a rooftop bar facing Pudong and a location that puts the waterfront outside the door. The most complete luxury stay in the city.

Suits: first visits, couples, anyone who wants to walk the Bund at dawn. Not for: anyone who wants the French Concession's café streets.

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2. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

In the old Shanghai Club building, with a long bar and river-facing rooms. More historic fabric than the Peninsula, a little less polish.

Suits: travellers who want the old Bund building. Not for: anyone wanting modern design.

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3. Mandarin Oriental Pudong

On the Pudong riverfront with tower views back across to the Bund; quieter than the Bund side, with a strong spa and a good pool.

Suits: families, anyone who wants views and space. Not for: anyone who wants to walk to historic streets.

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4. Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li

Restored 1930s shikumen lane houses in the former French Concession — villas rather than rooms, with a spa in the lanes. The most atmospheric stay in Shanghai.

Suits: couples, repeat visitors, anyone who wants the city's residential past. Not for: anyone who wants river views or a big hotel.

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Beijing: hutong or CBD?

The hutongs and the old city put you inside the Beijing people come for — lanes, courtyards, the Drum Tower. The CBD is towers, business and malls. Summer Palace area is green and quiet, far from everything else.

5. Waldorf Astoria Beijing — near the Forbidden City

In the old city near Wangfujing and the Forbidden City, with hutong-view rooms and a courtyard feel. Walking distance to the palace's east gate.

Suits: first visits, anyone who wants to walk to the Forbidden City. Not for: anyone who wants the CBD.

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6. Rosewood Beijing — CBD

In the Chaoyang CBD, with large rooms, a serious art collection and a strong restaurant floor. Convenient for business, 20 minutes from the old city.

Suits: business travellers, families wanting space. Not for: anyone who wants to step out into the hutongs.

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7. Aman Summer Palace

Beside the Summer Palace, reached through its own gate, in a restored courtyard complex. Quiet, green, and deliberately far from the city — the most peaceful hotel in Beijing.

Suits: couples, anyone who wants calm and history. Not for: anyone who wants to walk to restaurants.

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Chengdu: old centre or new city?

8. The Temple House — Taikoo Li

Built around a restored temple and courtyard, inside the Taikoo Li shopping district, walking distance to the old streets and a short ride to the panda base.

Suits: couples, design-literate travellers, anyone who wants to walk to dinner. Not for: anyone who wants a big-resort pool scene.

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9. The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu

In the newer centre, with large rooms, a pool and a high-floor club lounge — the practical full-service choice for families.

Suits: families, anyone who wants facilities. Not for: anyone who wants the old-city lanes at the door.

Check Ritz-Carlton Chengdu rates →

How many nights

• Shanghai: 3 nights — the Bund and the old city, the French Concession, and one day out to Suzhou or water towns.
• Beijing: 3–4 nights — Forbidden City and Tiananmen, the Great Wall (a full day), the hutongs and the Summer Palace.
• Chengdu: 2–3 nights — pandas early, old streets and teahouses, and a day to Leshan or Mount Qingcheng.

A shape that works: Beijing 4 → Xi'an 2 (Terracotta Army) → Chengdu 3 → Shanghai 3. Twelve nights, four bases, connected by high-speed rail and one internal flight.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better for a first trip to China — Beijing or Shanghai?

Beijing for history and the Great Wall; Shanghai for the modern city and easier walking. Most two-week trips do both.

Do we need a visa for China?

It depends on your passport: China now has unilateral visa-free entry for many countries, plus visa-free transit in some cities. Rules change often — check the current list before booking.

Can we use a credit card in China?

In hotels and malls yes; in small shops and taxis, mobile payment dominates. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you travel.

How do we get between the cities?

High-speed rail for Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai (4–6 hours); flights for Chengdu and the west. A driver for the day trips is worth it.

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BLISS TRAVEL plans private tours in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Hotel descriptions are planning guidance based on published property information; this article is not a quotation and contains no prices. Booking links are affiliate links.

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