In tourist cities: $150–300/night for 4★ and $300–600 for 5★. During Canton Fair and public holidays prices 2–3×.
10 Iconic Hotels in China: From Beijing to Sanya
A hotel in China isn't just a bed — it shapes 40–50% of your overall trip impression. In this guide we've curated 10 iconic properties: historical legends like Peninsula Beijing, futuristic towers such as Shanghai EDITION and resorts in Sanya. For each we list the district, target traveller, ballpark price and which China2Day tour we typically book it in.
Beijing — political and cultural capital
In Beijing it makes sense to stay near the Forbidden City (Wangfujing, Dongcheng) or in modern Chaoyang near CBD. Two tried-and-tested options we use in our classic tours:
- The Peninsula Beijing — historic legend 5 min from Wangfujing. From $450/night.
- Rosewood Beijing — modern 5★ in Chaoyang. From $380/night.
- NUO Hotel Beijing — design hotel in Ming-dynasty style. From $250/night.
Shanghai — business capital and Bund futurism
Shanghai offers two classic routes: the historic Bund looking at Pudong, or Pudong itself looking back at the old city. Both are great — it's just a matter of which view you want in the evening.
- The Shanghai EDITION — ultra-modern design hotel on the Bund. From $420/night.
- Fairmont Peace Hotel — 1929 art-deco legend on the Bund. From $350/night.
- Four Seasons Pudong — tower with a SkyPool and Bund views. From $380/night.
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Guangzhou — Canton Fair and style
During Canton Fair sessions (April–May, October–November) prices 2–3× and you need to book 3–4 months in advance. We recommend Pazhou or Zhujiang New Town.
- Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou — 2 min walk from Pazhou exhibition centre. $200–500/night.
- Four Seasons Guangzhou — one of the tallest buildings in the city. $280–600/night.
- Rosewood Guangzhou — preferred for business trips. $260–550/night.
Xi'an — gateway to the Terracotta Army
In Xi'an it's worth staying inside the City Wall (South Gate / Bell Tower) — all major sights are within a 10-minute walk.
- Sofitel Legend People's Grand Xi'an — historic 1950s property with genuine charm. From $200/night.
- W Xi'an — design option in Qujiang, closer to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. From $220/night.
Sanya — tropical beach resort
Sanya is China's answer to Hawaii on Hainan island. Peak season: December–March. We recommend Yalong Bay for tranquillity and Haitang Bay for premium resorts.
- Atlantis Sanya — water park and huge aquarium inside the hotel. From $300/night.
- The St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort — 9/10 beach, classic resort format. From $350/night.
How to pick the right hotel for your itinerary
There's no universal rule, but we use 5 criteria when picking a hotel for our tours: distance to the main sights, transport access (≤5 min from metro), English level at reception, breakfast quality, and pool/spa for recovery after intense days.
When to book to avoid overpaying
4–6 months ahead for May–October, 2–3 months for winter. Never book last-minute for Chinese New Year (late Jan–mid Feb) or Golden Week (Oct 1–7) — prices 2–3× and the best hotels are sold out.
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4–5★ hotels accept Visa/Mastercard reliably. 3★ and below often require a cash deposit in yuan.
4★ and above — yes, at least basic level. 3★ and below — often Mandarin only, which is why agency booking is easier.
Depends on the package: budget — local 3★ (from $50), standard — international 4★ chains (from $120), premium — Four Seasons, Rosewood, St. Regis, EDITION (from $250).
Yes, and we often do: historic in Beijing, design in Shanghai, resort in Sanya — all in one itinerary.