If you are in search of the secluded valley from My Neighbor Totoro, this is the ultimate destination. Nestled deep within Jiuzhaigou, the entire resort consists of freestanding Tibetan‑style wooden houses scattered among forested mountains.

Starting from 158‑sq‑m standalone villas, each unit features a private courtyard, viewing terrace and sunken constant‑temperature private hot‑spring pool. Equipped with round‑the‑clock diffused oxygen supply and under‑floor heating throughout, it delivers a worry‑free high‑altitude retreat. Floor‑to‑ceiling panoramic windows frame the lush valley vistas inside the rooms. Lying on the daybed, guests can gaze out at the snow‑capped Minshan Peaks, and behold the brilliant high‑altitude Milky Way with the naked eye after dark.

Highlights: Perched amid mountain forests is a jaw‑dropping clifftop infinity pool. Guests are assigned dedicated 24‑hour Nyepa butlers for one‑on‑one service. You may also enjoy light forest hiking, Tibetan‑Qiang intangible‑cultural‑heritage handicraft workshops, and book exclusive VIP access for entry into Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.

Rolling karst peaks and crystal‑clear waters winding through farmlands paint a one‑of‑a‑kind oriental rural retreat. As the first luxury resort of the LUX* brand in China, it nestles in the heart of Mingshi Pastoral Area. Its fair‑faced concrete architecture blends gently into the karst landscape, earning repeated recommendations from National Geographic.

Guest rooms line the banks of the Mingshi River. Starting from 80‑sq‑m suites, each features floor‑to‑ceiling panoramic windows and a spacious viewing terrace. Open your window, and you are greeted by lush green rice paddies and layered karst peaks.

By day, clouds drift slowly over the karst peaks. As dusk falls and night sets in, you may be lucky enough to spot fireflies dancing all across the sky — recreating the serene and soothing countryside from My Neighbor Totoro.

Perched 35 meters above ground, the infinity pool stretches alongside the river. Its water mirrors the green peaks and drifting clouds, with the atmosphere reaching its peak at sunset.

Don’t miss the resort’s exclusive private bamboo‑raft afternoon tea. Drift along the Mingshi River away from the tourist crowds and savour exquisite refreshments amid mountains and waters.

Highlights: The resort provides 24‑hour dedicated butler service. Guests may book riverside morning yoga, Vietnamese‑style mountain spa sessions, Zhuang brocade intangible‑cultural‑heritage handicraft workshops and countryside cycling tours. As night falls, head to the rooftop sky lounge to admire mountain sunsets while waiting for the starry sky to emerge. Sit on your terrace in the evening, bathed in gentle pastoral breezes, and feel as if you have stepped into the quiet countryside from an animation, far removed from all hustle and bustle.

Relive the soothing coastal summer of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. As China’s only cliff‑side ultra‑luxury island resort under Alila, it occupies the cliff‑fringed peninsula at the southern tip of Dong’ao Island, boasting unobstructed 270‑degree ocean views over the blue sea. It is a secluded off‑the‑beaten‑path mountain‑and‑sea sanctuary in South China.

Crafted with minimalist aesthetics, the hotel features pristine‑white buildings embedded amid natural cliff‑side reefs. Boasting clean, streamlined silhouettes, it merges seamlessly with the blue sea and clear sky, perfectly recreating the pure, soothing ocean‑scape texture seen in Hayao Miyazaki’s animations.

All accommodations are exclusively suites, starting from 86‑sq‑m ocean‑view suites, including standalone ocean‑view pool villas. Each guest room comes standard with floor‑to‑ceiling panoramic windows, sea‑view terraces and viewing bathtubs. Open the window to embrace magnificent mountain‑and‑sea vistas from dawn till dusk. The zen‑inspired light‑luxury spaces are fully equipped with smart amenities, premium toiletries and a complimentary minibar for an elevated sense of refinement.

The viral 15‑meter cantilevered cliff‑side infinity pool juts out toward the sea, blending sky and ocean into one seamless expanse. On sunny days, the crystal‑clear jelly‑hued sea exudes soothing charm, dotted with scattered fishing boats. At dusk, the ocean is bathed in orange‑hued sunset glow, vividly recreating the romantic coastal scenery from the animations.

Highlights: Two on‑site restaurants serve fresh seafood and fine Cantonese delicacies. Customised experiences including cliff‑side sunset private dinners and mountain‑sea afternoon tea are available. A kids’ club is also provided, catering for luxury getaways across all scenarios: honeymoons, family trips and high‑end corporate team‑building events.

Stepping onto the resort grounds feels like wandering into the secluded tranquil valley from My Neighbor Totoro. Tucked away within 32 hectares of ancient native woodland in northern Kyoto, the resort is surrounded by lush old‑growth trees. Moss‑covered stone steps wind alongside meandering streams, mist drifts through the forest, and sunlight filters through branches and leaves, casting dappled light for a serene and soothing atmosphere.

The final posthumous masterpiece of architectural master Kerry Hill, the resort preserves century‑old ancient stone walls and natural terrace landforms. Merely 26 accommodations are housed within separate pavilions. The understated architecture fades discreetly into the woodland, safeguarding the tranquility of the mountains and forests to the fullest.

Guest accommodations start at 60 sq m, with various room types including the Maple Pavilion and Susuki Terrace. Expansive sliding floor‑to‑ceiling doors connect indoor spaces to private courtyards. Tatami zones are adorned with traditional Japanese tokonoma alcove decor. Natural timber and washi paper create warm, minimalist living quarters.

Each unit comes with a private courtyard and a private cypress‑wood hot‑spring bath. While soaking in the bath, guests are greeted by lush greenery all around. Upper‑floor rooms even offer sweeping views of the rolling, layered slopes of Mount Hiei.

Recreating the pristine tropical coastal scenery of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, where crystal‑clear blue waters, massive boulders and lush rainforests set off one another. It embodies the tranquil coastal vision far from commotion depicted in Hayao Miyazaki’s works.

The resort features nothing but standalone villas, with thatched‑roof timber huts discreetly nestled among plants, mountains and sea. It offers a diverse range of accommodation options, including the 158‑sq‑m Hilltop Pool Villa, 176‑sq‑m Beach Pool Villa, and the Rock Pool Villa perched atop coastal boulders.

Expansive floor‑to‑ceiling wooden windows throughout the villa draw mountain‑and‑sea scenery indoors to the fullest extent. Warm natural timber and organic fabrics cultivate a laid‑back ambience inside, complemented by dreamy white sheer curtains and a handcrafted ocean‑facing wooden bathtub that deliver exceptional atmospheric charm.

Each villa comes fully equipped with a private swimming pool, viewing terrace and outdoor shower. Some ocean‑front villas feature water‑access boardwalks, allowing guests to step right down to the sea. You can lie in bed and peacefully watch the bay transform from dawn to dusk.

Highlights: Enjoy cave spa treatments, sea kayaking and rainforest hiking, and book a private sunset dinner atop the cliffside hilltop. The cuisine features organic farm‑sourced ingredients and fresh daily seafood.