Heritage Buildings Meet Contemporary Comfort
Upper House Chengdu sits in Taikoo Li, a shopping district where designer shops occupy restored traditional structures. The property itself incorporates a Qing Dynasty building that once served as a translator's office, now transformed into the hotel's courtyard lobby. Make Architects preserved the original columns, beams and roof framing, all crafted from Chinese hemlock wood sourced within Sichuan province.
The restored sections retain traditional bamboo-wattle-and-earth walls and grey clay roof tiles. A century-old plane tree anchors the courtyard, where rows of red lanterns frame the entrance. A silver phoenix feather sculpture by Chengdu artist Wu Haiying references local folklore that the mythical bird rests only on plane trees.
The 100 guest rooms and 42 residences occupy two new-build towers shaped in an L-formation. Glass panels feature bamboo patterns, echoing the forests that cover much of Sichuan. Tiered grass mounds scattered across the grounds mirror the rice terraces found in the countryside beyond the city.
Location and Access
The hotel occupies a quieter street within the shopping district, insulating guests from the neon signs and LED screens that dominate surrounding blocks. Chengdu IFS Mall lies ten minutes away on foot, recognisable by the giant panda sculpture clinging to its exterior. Chunxi Road, the main shopping and dining thoroughfare, sits just beyond and connects to the nearest metro stop. Shuttle buses to panda research centres on the city's outskirts depart from this area.
Wenshu Yuan Monastery and Kuanzhai Alley are both 15 to 20 minutes away by ride-hailing service. Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is roughly ninety minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Rooms Designed for Space
Entry-level rooms measure 678 square feet, larger than suites at many properties. Neutral tones dominate, with cream sofas that increase in size across higher categories. Beds feature down duvets and headboards framed by black wood panels; pull-out drawers in the bedside units conceal charging points. Rooms overlooking the converted heritage buildings in Taikoo Li offer the most distinctive views.
The aesthetic leans minimalist, with grey throws and wooden furniture. Higher-category suites add rattan chairs, orchid displays and Chinese porcelain. Every room includes a complimentary "maxi bar" stocked with beer, water and soft drinks; other alcohol incurs a charge. Jing tea, White Rabbit milk sweets from Shanghai and Huanglaowu peanut crisps made locally round out the in-room provisions.
Bathrooms are clad in black stone from walls to floor. Large mirrors with LED-lit edges provide sufficient lighting. Entry-level rooms offer showers only; suites include separate tubs and shower rooms. Dyson hairdryers and Bamford toiletries come in a branded zip bag guests can take home.
Vegetarian Dining with Sichuan Heat
Mi Xun Teahouse operates as a vegetarian restaurant with a "mountain and spring" concept, sourcing produce from nearby Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan City. The menu follows Sichuanese tradition with liberal use of chilli, balanced by nutty sauces. A bamboo shoot salad arrives covered in sesame seeds; spinach dan dan noodles are topped with crushed pistachio. Ice lettuce salad is served with two types of sesame sauce. Dessert options include rose peach gum soup and mochi-like tea cakes.
The restaurant's tea collection spans regions across China. Mengding Huangya, a yellow bud tea from Sichuan, grows more fragrant with extended brewing time, according to staff.
Breakfast at The Temple Café combines buffet and à la carte service. The buffet includes bacon, sausages, pastries, congee, dim sum, cold cuts, fruit and a salad bar. The à la carte menu offers Chengdu staples such as spicy dandan noodles alongside Japanese prawn sandwiches, crab omelettes and slow-cooked steak with eggs and polenta. Pork wontons and beef noodle soup are available in non-spicy versions.
Tivano serves Italian and Mediterranean dishes, while Jing Bar hosts regular DJ nights among hanging plants.
Bamboo Massage and Lymphatic Work
Mixun Spa occupies another converted Qing Dynasty building and offers treatments drawing from traditional Chinese medicine. The bamboo massage uses hand-polished sticks sourced from Qingcheng Mountain. Therapists warm the bamboo before applying it along lymphatic points to release muscle tension and encourage circulation. The courtyard, with its lanterns and views of distant towers, provides a post-treatment spot to drink tea.
The indoor pool is sized for lap swimming, with leaf-shaped loungers and recessed ceiling lights that create soft ambient glow. The gym stocks fruit, water and fashion magazines for post-swim reading.
Practical Considerations
Check-in begins at 2pm; check-out is at noon. Two wheelchair-accessible rooms feature wall-mounted safety rails, and lifts serve all areas. The residence building accepts pets with advance notice, requiring a daily cleaning fee of RMB 200 (roughly £23) and a deposit of RMB 5,000 (approximately £563).
Families can book a two-bedroom suite with a bunk bed or interconnect other suites. High chairs are available on request. The complimentary snacks and sweets in rooms tend to appeal to younger guests.
Who It Suits
The property works for travellers prioritising location and space. The Taikoo Li address puts major Chengdu sights within easy reach, while room sizes accommodate longer stays or those who prefer apartment-style layouts. The discretion and service level have attracted Hong Kong entertainers and Hollywood actors promoting projects in the city.
It is less suited to anyone seeking a nature-focused retreat. Though the design references Sichuan's landscapes and the spa uses local bamboo, the setting remains firmly urban, surrounded by shopping streets and metro access rather than mountains or rivers.
