Reminiscences of Japan in Chengdu’s Shangri-La

This luxury hotel in the capital of Sichuan (Chengdu is renowned for both its panda population and its growing number of start-ups) entrusted its two restaurant spaces to Japanese architect Yoshimasa Tsutsumi.

Wooden replica of a listed building

The first restaurant is centred around robatayaki, a grilling technique widely used in Japan. The space showcases the ceiling beams, directly inspired by the famous Yoshijima House in Gifu Prefecture. This traditional house, built in 1907 by wealthy sake merchants from Kanazawa City, is the first to officially be considered a site of Japanese cultural heritage or an Important Cultural Property.

Refinement of rooms dedicated to tea ceremonies

The second, smaller restaurant specialises in kaiseki, a gastronomic practice that consists of combining small portions of different dishes, each carefully prepared. To differentiate it from the rest of the space on this floor, the architect chose to decorate the ceiling with fine wooden panels, typical of tea tasting spaces across Japan. Superimposed, they create a slightly shimmering effect that contrasts with the heavy beams in the first restaurant.

Guests are free to choose between the two restaurants, and in Chengdu’s Shangri-La Hotel they can be sure to find a little slice of Japan in the heart of China.

More information on Chendgu’s Shangri-la on its website.