Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts to open luxury hotel in Confucius' birthplace

BEIJING - By proximity as well as design, the new Shangri-La Hotel, Qufu pays homage to the famous philosopher, Confucius. Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is opening the hotel in the centre of Qufu, Confucius' birthplace, on 1 August. It will be the city's first international luxury accommodation.

Shangri-La Hotel, Qufu is within walking distance of the Temple of Confucius, the Mansion of Confucius and the Cemetery of Confucius. All three are UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites, and Qufu is one of mainland China's 24 government-designated famous historical and cultural cities. Located in Shandong Province, Qufu is two hours from Beijing and three hours from Shanghai by high-speed rail, making it a convenient cultural excursion from either city.

Blending Confucian principles, Chinese traditions and contemporary style, the hotel's design reflects Qufu's history but with a modern aesthetic. Chinese architecture sets the tone, with the hotel's facade designed to resemble a traditional Chinese pavilion and roofs topped by grey tiers of flying eaves. Supported by eight large pillars, the porte cochere is also shaped like a traditional Chinese pavilion. It is covered in red lacquer panels with Chinese motifs imprinted on the sides of the ceiling and traditional Lo Shu Squares (a square-within-a-square motif) repeated on the ceiling.

Among the 211 spacious guestrooms to open in August, rooms facing the Yi River are designed with balconies offering views of the old city wall, palaces of the Temple of Confucius and the hotel's traditional Chinese landscaped garden dotted with pavilions. All the rooms and the public areas throughout the hotel feature complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access.

Sourced: TravelDaiyNews