Travellers' Checks | Luxury hotel openings in China and Asia in 2017

Located in Shanghai’s Minheng district (exactly where is also under wraps), the property comprises ancient buildings and trees saved from flooding in Jiangxi province, some 800km away, and transported and transplanted to create a “tranquil village of historic dwellings, surrounded by sacred camphor woodland”. It’s an impressive project, even by Aman’s ambitious standards, and you can find out more about it at www.aman.com/shanghai.

The Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li, opening in March, occupies a cluster of 1930s French buildings in the cultural preservation zone of the city’s Xuhui district. With 55 “ultra-luxury” villas, 40 residences, a French brasserie, spa and shops, it’s still only offering basic information and a watercolour painting at www.capellahotels.com/shanghai.

A third notable opening in Shanghai this year will be the St Regis Shanghai Jingan. It’s slated to launch on March 15, although information is limited – with a photo gallery showing mostly generic shots of flowers, suitcases and pillows – at www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/shanghai.

Elsewhere across the country, the Anantara Guiyang Resort, in Guizhou province, should be joining its lonely four-year-old sister property – the Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort, in neighbouring Yunnan province – next month.

About 1,000km to the south, the impressively retro/futuristic-looking Rosewood Sanya is due to open 246 rooms and suites overlooking Haitang Bay, and 46 residential villas, sometime in the second quarter.