I. Site Selection and Design: From an Abandoned Quarry to an Architectural Marvel
The hotel’s most striking feature lies in its unique location—built atop an abandoned limestone quarry measuring 1.1 kilometres long, 240 metres wide and 140 metres high, which fell into disuse after ceasing operations in the 1990s. Built against the sheer cliff face, the hotel creates the spectacle of a misty waterfall cascading from the cliff’s summit, earning it the reputation as a ‘hidden gem in the valley of mist and waterfalls’.
This design philosophy aligns deeply with the Banyan Tree brand’s founding ethos of ‘restoring the environment and returning to nature’; much like its first property, Banyan Tree Phuket, it transforms a derelict site into a holiday paradise. With a total floor area of approximately 53,000 square metres, the hotel officially opened in September 2021 and features 115 guest rooms and suites.
The ‘cocoon’-shaped art installation in the hotel lobby is the design’s centrepiece—comprising over 2,000 wooden and acrylic panels, each fitted with LED lights that flicker at an extremely slow pace, creating an organic, breathing-like vitality.
II. Guest Room Experience: Private Hot Spring Baths at Your Doorstep, Cliff Views at Your Fingertips
All 115 guest rooms are equipped with scenic balconies and private hot spring baths, allowing guests to enjoy the Tangshan hot springs and admire the spectacular cliffs of the mineral valley without leaving their rooms. The hotel offers a diverse range of room types, primarily categorised as follows:
Dream Valley Cliff View Room: Overlooking the valley, perched on the cliff’s edge (60 m²)
Cloud Pool Cliff-View Room: Panoramic views of the mineral valley from the clouds (60 m²)
Wellness Cliff-View Room: Located on a dedicated nine-storey wellness floor, equipped with a deep-sleep system and bespoke wellness experiences
Dream Valley/Cloud Pool Cliff-View Suite: More spacious (90 m²), offering stunning sunset views
Guests generally comment: ‘The view from the room is excellent; you can soak in the hot spring whilst admiring the scenery’; “The bath is huge—probably one of the largest I’ve ever encountered in a hotel; at 183 cm tall, I can sink right into it.” Rooms are also fitted with underfloor heating and a complimentary minibar, and are infused with Banyan Tree’s signature essential oil fragrance.
III. Hot Springs and Wellness: The Dual-Certified Quality of Tangshan Hot Springs
The hotel features Tangshan Hot Springs—one of China’s four major therapeutic hot springs and the only one in the country to hold both Japanese and European water quality certifications. The public hot spring area features a total of 11 indoor and outdoor pools, with temperatures ranging from 38–45°C. The spacious and airy setting allows guests to admire the spectacular scenery of the mineral valley whilst soaking. Guests have commented: “There are five indoor pools and six outdoor pools… It’s quiet and peaceful in the evening, and they even provide ice-cold towels and lemon water.”
The Banyan Tree Spa features six treatment rooms and offers bespoke treatments developed using local resources (such as Nanjing Yuhua tea), earning it the reputation as ‘a sanctuary for mind and body within the Mineral Valley’. Other facilities include an indoor panoramic swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a yoga studio.
IV. Dining Experience: A Culinary Feast of Huaiyang and Cantonese Cuisine
The hotel boasts three restaurants:
Bright Moon All-Day Dining: Offering views of the mineral valley and cliff faces, it serves an international buffet breakfast (approximately 268 yuan per person). Guests have commented that “the selection is extensive and dishes are replenished promptly”.
Baiyun Chinese Restaurant: Elegantly appointed, specialising in Huaiyang and classic Cantonese cuisine, with an average price of approximately 345 yuan per person. Signature dishes include crispy-skinned squab, braised pork with abalone, and Yuhua stone tangyuan
Lobby Lounge: Spacious and airy, perfect for sipping tea and relaxing, or enjoying the ‘Evening Tipsy’ package (cocktails and light bites)
V. Family and Leisure Facilities
The hotel features the 118-square-metre Little Adventurers’ Club, where children can take part in DIY activities and browse educational books. The hotel also keeps four peacocks, which roam freely throughout the grounds, providing a delightful surprise for guests. In addition, the hotel offers complimentary parking, admission codes for the Garden Expo Park (one per vehicle) and a shuttle bus service within the park.
VI. Nearby Attractions: A One-Stop Experience at the Horticultural Expo Park
The hotel is situated within the Jiangsu Horticultural Expo Park, and guests enjoy free admission. The park is divided into six major sections, of which Yunchi Dream Valley (Underwater Botanical Garden, Floating Stone Underground Palace), Time Art Valley (Pioneer Bookshop, Coca-Cola Brand Pavilion, Camera Art Museum) and Su-Style Gathering Valley (Landscapes of Jiangsu’s Thirteen Cities) are particularly recommended. Transport within the park includes walking, shuttle buses (30 yuan per person), a miniature train and a cable car.
VII. Guest Reviews and Practical Information
The hotel scores approximately 4.7–4.8 out of 5 on major review platforms, with 99 per cent of guests recommending it. Key points of praise: the private hot spring experience is superb, the Mineral Valley scenery is unique, the service is professional and attentive, and it is ideal for family holidays. Some guests mentioned that dining prices are on the high side and queues are common during peak season, but the overall feedback is positive.
Practical Tips:
Transport: It takes approximately 40 minutes by car from the city centre to the ‘Horticultural Expo Park No. 3 Dongning Gate’ entrance; alternatively, take Metro Line 4 to Mengbei Station and transfer to the free shuttle bus
Check-in: Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 12:00; deposit approximately 2,000 yuan per night
Packages: Some room types include a travel photography experience, a bedtime ritual (herbal or rose bath), and admission tickets to Yangshan Stele Park, amongst other benefits
