A modern, open-air living space featuring textured walls, smooth seating, and a tranquil water feature, surrounded by lush greenery.

ALAN: An Intimate Retreat in China that Channels the Contemplative Power of Nature

Words by Yatzer

Jinghong, China

Tucked into the rainforest-draped hills of Xishuangbanna in China’s southern Yunnan province, ALAN is an intimate resort soulfully attuned to its natural setting. Designed by Funs Creative Design Consultant, the boutique hotel offers a quietly striking example of how architecture can inhabit rather than interrupt the landscape. Rising discreetly above the Lancang River, the 3,500-square-metre complex favours porosity, openness, and a deliberate dialogue with the natural world.

A person walks along a serene, water-lined path under a modern, peach-colored structure with geometric pillars and soft shadows.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A wooden pagoda-like temple with a tiered roof stands beside a pink structure, surrounded by tropical plants and trees under a clear sky.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A sunlit corridor with terracotta walls, leading to a view of lush trees and water through a large, framed window.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A serene outdoor space with stepped terracotta areas leading to a reflective pool, surrounded by lush greenery and tall trees.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

Arranged in a linear formation that follows the natural contours of the hillside, the resort comprises two three-storey accommodation blocks with communal areas cascading between them across two levels. This configuration not only anchors the complex to its terrain but also opens up uninterrupted views from nearly every space.

Characterised by clean rectilinear forms and a consistent material palette, the complex feels deeply rooted in place despite its modernist rigor. This is due, in no small part, to the building’s earthen-pink exterior, a hue that seems to have been borrowed from the soil and filtered through the sun. It’s a subtle camouflage that allows the structure to recede into the rainforest’s shifting textures and shadows, rather than stand starkly alone.  

  • Close-up of a textured pink wall featuring the engraved name "ALAN," with delicate flowers and leaves in the foreground.

    Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

  • Abstract architectural details with peach-toned walls, sharp angles, and soft shadows creating depth and texture.

    Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

  • A serene outdoor scene featuring pink steps leading up, surrounded by lush foliage and a large tree casting gentle shadows.

    Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A serene architectural space with a reflective water pool, framed by columns and surrounded by lush greenery, featuring a person sitting quietly.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A serene view from beneath a rustic ceiling, showcasing lush green trees and a tranquil pool reflecting the surrounding nature.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A woman walks past modern, earthy lounge seating in a minimalist interior with a stone wall and a reflective pool. Warm, natural tones dominate.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A modern, open-air living space featuring textured walls, smooth seating, and a tranquil water feature, surrounded by lush greenery.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

Interior view of a modern, minimalist space with warm tones, featuring a water feature, lush greenery, and a person walking by.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

The spatial organisation of ALAN is as intuitive as it is serene. The central zone functions as a hinge between the accommodation wings, comprising a shaded outdoor lounge arranged around an elongated reflecting pool that bisects the space with a sense of quiet drama. This linear water feature, paired with generous openings and shaded colonnades, not only cools the ambient microclimate but blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, the built and natural. Above, a swimming pool appears to hover just above the canopy, its infinity edge drawing the eye outward to the river and forested slopes beyond.

Circulation is orchestrated via ceremonial staircases on either side of the central volume, elegantly connecting the resort’s three tiers while framing axial views of the surrounding landscape. On one side of the complex, the dining pavilion opens to the elements, echoing the local tradition of outdoor living while allowing natural light and a breeze to animate the space throughout the day.

A warm-toned corridor with steps leading up, featuring a round opening overhead and lush greenery visible at the end.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A cozy, earthy-toned living space featuring stone walls, modern sofas, a decorative vase, and a view of lush greenery through large windows.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A modern living space with warm brown tones, featuring a sectional sofa, decorative vase, lamp, and a textured stone wall.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A serene outdoor pool surrounded by lush greenery and two white sun loungers, inviting relaxation and tranquility.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A cozy outdoor seating area with a wooden chair and tables, surrounded by lush greenery and warm sunlight filtering through trees.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

Modern indoor seating area with wooden furniture, a tall lamp, and stone walls illuminated by warm sunlight filtering through slatted skylights.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

Stylish wooden wall with illuminated room number A302, leading to a softly lit hallway with modern design elements.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

Modern, serene bedroom with stone wall, stylish furniture, and large windows allowing natural light to fill the space.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

Guest rooms on the lower level open onto private patios with plunge pools, offering a sense of tranquil seclusion. Those on the upper levels trade intimacy for elevation, with expansive balconies that float above the treetops and gaze out towards the river’s silvery glint.

The interiors strike a careful balance between minimalism and warmth. Dry-stone walls and timber-slat ceilings echo vernacular craft, while smooth concrete floors and floor-to-ceiling glazing root the spaces firmly in the present. It’s a restrained yet richly textured palette, softened by handcrafted furnishings that allude to regional traditions without tipping into pastiche territory. Here, the design resists visual clutter, allowing the rainforest to assume its rightful role as the primary spectacle.

Modern living room with a yellow tufted sofa, a black leather chair, a sleek TV, and a wooden cabinet, illuminated by warm sunlight.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

Stylishly designed hotel room featuring a yellow bed with a bolster, stone wall, and elegant lighting for a cozy ambiance.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A modern bedroom with warm lighting, featuring a cozy bed, stylish cabinet, and a serene outdoor view with a black bathtub and greenery.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

Modern bedroom featuring a large bed, glass walls opening to a balcony with a sleek bathtub and lush greenery outside.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

  • Tranquil scene of a swimming pool with two sun loungers surrounded by lush greenery and distant trees.

    Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

  • A serene interior view showcasing a cozy living space, surrounded by lush greenery and natural light filtering through large windows.

    Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

  • Cozy bedroom featuring a wooden accent wall, a plush yellow bolster, and soft gray bedding, illuminated by natural light from the window.

    Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

  • Serene garden view featuring a dark water feature surrounded by tropical plants and natural stone pathways in golden sunlight.

    Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A stylish black leather lounge chair with wooden accents sits beside a sleek television and retro audio unit in a modern living space.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).

A cozy, dimly lit living space featuring a modern sofa, a textured stone wall, and a stylish lamp, creating a warm atmosphere.

Photography by Chuan He (HereSpace).