Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain, Chengdu, China

Sichuan’s Qing Cheng Mountain is famous primarily for being two things: the birthplace of Taoism, and home to pandas—China’s iconic mascot is protected at several local parks that have always been a bit of a slog from any nice place to stay. Now, Six Senses is putting this scenic area on the tourist map, and vice versa. This is by far the largest Six Senses and the Thai brand’s big leap into China. A mountain lodge with Chinese features, the resort’s 113 luxury suites sit like a village at the foot of Mount Qing Cheng with spectacular cloud-clinging views over rice fields. Environmental sustainability—a core component of any Six Senses—here comes as organic gardens, drinking water purified and bottled on-site, and a Tesla for airport transfers; understated luxury comes as wood furniture and natural lighting. It’s an undeniable great base for exploring the nearby mountains as well as the Panda Valley habitat, a superior alternative to the overrun Chengdu panda research base. But the resort is full of standout features of its own as well, including a circular Six Senses Spa floating on serene ponds, spicy Sichuan dishes at 28Zodiac (one of three restaurants in addition to a smoothie bar and tea lounge), and Sichuan-pepper cocktails at the Moon Bar.

86-28/8728-9871; Six Senses; doubles from US$310