Peak Time

With their gorgeous traditional naxi clay roofs and stone courtyards, the 55 villas at the Banyan Tree resort, banyantree.com, have become the ne plus ultra of accommodation in mountainous Lijiang, a historic southwestern Chinese town and designated World Heritage Site. Red lacquered woods and heated private plunge pools are among the highlights of these expansive, 350-sq-m houses, pictured above, and all have unobstructed views of Himalayan peaks and grazing buffalo. If that doesn't satiate your appetite for exotic luxury, then you can get a second helping at the Banyan Tree Ringha, a sister property four hours' drive north. Located just outside the city of Shangri-La (which used to be known as Zhongdian until the Chinese government renamed it in a bid to lure tourists), Ringha's well-heated two-story Tibetan-style houses feature lovely wooden bathtubs for two, while the spa offers traditional gui shi hot-stone massages that will have you feeling even closer to heaven than the property's 3,600-m elevation.

Local villagers opposed to the development will sometimes bring you back down with a bump—they've been known to set up roadblocks and demand tolls from guests—but general manager Richard Neo will come to your rescue by golf buggy. Perhaps he should treat the village to a round of gui shi massages as well.