The luxe Banyan Tree Lijiang, built in 2006, is set in the idyllic rural countryside 45 km from Lijiang Airport. It is located seven km from the fascinating 800-year-old town of Dayan, also called the old city of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The focal point of the resort is a small lake adorned with a Naxi-style pavilion reflecting the towering Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After the bustle and mass tourism of the ancient city, the ambience of the property lowers one's blood pressure. The hotel has been widely recognized by the trade press and general media in Asia and abroad, and is acclaimed for its efforts to protect its natural surroundings.
The single-story eco-friendly resort is virtually invisible to the outside world. Both the public areas and the private villas are designed to blend into the local architecture using natural stone and timbers with rich Chinese silk accents in red and gold. The ambience is understated Asian elegance with a distinctly romantic flare. At the hotel's deceptively low-key entrance, guests are greeted by gracious young English-speaking staff members that usher them into a series of courtyards flanked by the resort's restaurants, registration area and other public facilities.
The resort has four food and beverage outlets. Ming Yue features local and international cuisine, serving breakfast buffet-style, and lunch and dinner a la carte. The upscale Bai Yun serves Cantonese food overlooking a koi pond. Other venues include the Chun Feng Tea House and the Wen Hai Bar, which serves cocktails and snacks. On cool Yunnan evenings, the log fire in the adjacent library is warm and inviting. The friendly young service staff is a bit green, but the tasty food is a surprisingly good value and the wine list is top-notch.
The old town of Lijiang and surrounding countryside offer a wealth of recreational pursuits. In-house, the resort's famed Banyan Tree Spa comprises six treatment rooms and a treatment pavilion along with yoga studio. There is a fitness center, a library with a selection of DVD movies as well as an outdoor tennis court. Concierge arrangements can be made for many off-site activities including guided hikes and horseback-riding; trekking to Tiger Leaping Gorge; customized tours of scenic spots outside Lijiang; visits to the old towns of Dayan and Shuhe; and exploration of Baoshan Stone Village. For those unwilling to face the hawkers and the crowds in the old city, the Banyan Tree Gallery is a very pleasant shopping alternative. Unique Chinese-inspired gifts and Banyan Tree signature 
items are available.
The business end of the resort is geared towards incentives and small corporate retreats. The facilities include a boardroom with secretariat room and a courtyard for pre-function activities. Rooms are equipped with TV and video player, audiovisual equipment, overhead and slide projector, whiteboard and two sets of flipcharts. Business services can be arranged for guests as can transportation within the city.
The Banyan Tree's 55 villa accommodations are luxurious and put the focus on tranquil privacy. Each stands alone, and each has its own whirlpool or plunge pool. Even the lowest category, Garden Villa, has its own private garden with a heated outdoor jet pool and views of the Jade Snow Mountain. All the usual luxury amenities are at hand, plus a few Banyan Tree special touches such as incense sticks and an essential oil burner. Beds use Western-style mattresses. Internet access is free-of-charge and all rooms feature 29-inch Sony TVs with DVD players. The villas are very spacious with a separate study, living room areas, large baths, and daybeds in the garden. Deluxe Garden Villa upgrades include daily breakfast, in-villa afternoon tea, and a 20% discount on 90-minute massage sessions at 
Banyan Tree Spa. The one- or two-bedroom Pool Villas feature a larger plunge pool, and a soaking tub in the baths in addition to a separate shower. Guests may choose either two twin or one king bed in the Garden and Pool Villas.
For those that cannot tear themselves away from the seductive atmosphere of the villas, room service operates from 11 am to midnight. The resort does not have wheelchair-accessible facilities with the exception of the restroom adjacent to the Bai Yun restaurant. However, the resort is on one level and buggy service is available. There are no smoke-free rooms. Safety measures include fire evacuation plans and sprinklers, and surveillance cameras are watchful.
The Banyan Tree is in a class of its own in Lijiang. It is perfect for honeymooners and those who desire privacy along with top-class facilities. For some, the location, well outside the main tourism area of Lijiang Ancient city, might be considered a drawback, but for others this is a sybaritic retreat. With rates starting at $US500 per night, this resort is no bargain, but it is undeniably lovely.