Design for the hotel aimed to represent three main cultural values of the site: the unique architecture of the World Heritage ancient town, the nature of the mountains and rivers of the region and the local Dongba Naxi hilltribe culture. Architecturally the hotel was laid out with winding alleyways mimicking the adjacent ancient city. These were landscaped with a manicured feel, but generous planting and softness compared to the prominence of hard paving in Lijiang Old Town. The warmer, coarse textured feeling of the local mountain villages was used in the hotel villa courtyards. The element of ceremony in every day operation of the hotel was introduced to public areas such as the Sun & Moon Plaza.