Colour—that’s the first thing I notice as my plane starts its descent into Jiuzhaigou in China’s Sichuan province. Pops of colour greet me everywhere I cast my eye, from the windswept penta-coloured Tibetan prayer flags that hang from poles across lush valleys and mountains, to the eye-popping blue, green and turquoise lakes in the spectacular Unesco World Heritage Jiuzhai Valley National Park.
A quiet mountainous landscape washed in deep green also dominates the view around Banyan Tree Jiuzhaigou, my home base for a five-day sojourn in China. After a three-hour drive from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport, the resort’s facade comes into view, its minimalist modern exterior at odds with the vibrancy of its surroundings.
The same cannot be said for its interiors, however. The decor of the hotel, which officially opened in March, reveals hints of Jiuzhaigou’s rich cultural heritage. Dark wood surfaces are enlivened with colourful tapestry bearing the traditional embroidered motifs of the Qiang minority group, who are native to Sichuan. These handwoven works are seen most prominently in the 209 guest rooms and suites, all of which also feature subtle oriental details such as hand-carved cabinets or hanging bedside lamps.
