Upper House Chengdu — A Thousand-Year Courtyard Hidden Beneath Twin Black Towers in the Heart of Taikoo Li
Picture stepping out of the bustle of Taikoo Li, through an old grey-brick Qing-dynasty gateway — and suddenly the city goes quiet, leaving only a leafy courtyard and the scent of tea. That's Upper House Chengdu (居舍), the boutique hotel that travellers (and Tripadvisor) have ranked Chengdu's #1 hotel for years. ⚠️ One thing first, so there's no confusion: this is the hotel formerly called The Temple House. Swire brought its entire House Collective under the single Upper House brand on 16 October 2025 — same building, same site, same Mi Xun teahouse, only the name changed. The score sits around 9.6/10 from thousands of real guest reviews, with rates from about ¥2,000 (฿10,000)/night. It is not the budget pick — but if you want the hotel itself to be part of what you remember about Chengdu, this is the answer.
Honestly, the thing that sets this place apart from the usual luxury hotel is the design. The architects at MAKE took a restored century-old Qing-dynasty timber courtyard and set it in front of two contemporary black towers — old and new sitting side by side, calm and uncompeting. Walk through the brick gateway and you reach a courtyard of trees; tucked away inside is a subterranean indoor pool that many guests call the secret highlight. The overall mood is hushed, minimal, faintly tea-scented — not the grand, glittering luxury of a typical chain hotel.
One guest recalls: "This is the only hotel in Chengdu I want to return to. Everyone on the team remembered our names, the service was meticulous, and the Taikoo Li location means you can walk everywhere. Yet the moment you close the room door, it's as quiet as another world."
Location is the other headline, and it's hard to fault. The hotel is built into Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li, one of the prettiest open-plan shopping-and-lifestyle complexes in China, and it sits right beside the 1,000-year-old Daci Temple. Step out the door and you're among designer boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and old lanes to wander. The Chunxi Road pedestrian street and the IFS tower (with its giant panda sculpture clinging to the side) are just a little further on foot. For anyone who wants to stay in the centre and explore on foot rather than by taxi, this is the top address in Chengdu.
If you'd rather take the metro, Chunxi Road station (Lines 2 and 3) is about a 5-minute walk, connecting you to Tianfu Square, other districts, and the railway stations. Taipingyuan station (Line 3) is also nearby. For the Chengdu Panda Base, you'd take the metro then a short taxi or bus. The advantage of being this central is simple: you can come back to rest at midday and head out again in the evening without losing time to long transfers.
The in-house dining is a genuine draw too. The headliner is Mi Xun Teahouse, which holds a Michelin Green Star for its vegetarian Sichuan cuisine — the only restaurant in the city with the sustainability star. Tivano is a Michelin Guide-listed Italian, and there's The Temple Café for relaxed meals plus the Jing Bar with its DJs. More than a few guests say that simply eating their way through Taikoo Li, restaurant by restaurant, kept them happy for the whole trip.
A score of around 9.6/10 from thousands of real reviews, and the #1 ranking among 1,400-plus Chengdu hotels on Tripadvisor, shows how genuinely guests love it. They praise the same things over and over: the design, the warm service that feels like being known, and the Taikoo Li location. The criticism you'll hear most — and should know before booking — is that the entry-level Studio can feel a little tight for the price. The rooms actually start at around 63 sqm (not small), but at this premium price point, some guests simply expect more space. The other recurring note is the rate itself, which is among the highest in the city.
Standard rates begin at around ~¥2,000 (฿10,000) per night for a Studio, with a typical range of ฿10,000–15,000 depending on season and room type; suites like the Temple Suite (117 sqm) climb a fair bit higher. During China's long holidays — Golden Week (October 1–7) and Chinese New Year — rates spike and rooms sell out quickly, because there are only about 100 rooms plus 42 serviced residences here. If you're travelling then, book several months ahead and take a free-cancellation rate to keep your options open.
The honest summary, friend to friend: Upper House Chengdu is for travellers who want design with a story, service that feels personal, and a Taikoo Li location where you can walk to everything. If you value the experience and the calm-in-the-centre feeling more than the number on the rate, this is excellent value. But if budget leads your decision, or you want more floor space for the same money, compare it with Niccolo or The Ritz-Carlton in our Chengdu list first.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ A distinctive design — restored Qing courtyard plus twin black towers
- ✓ Warm, personal service; staff remember their guests
- ✓ Central Taikoo Li location, walk to Chunxi Road / IFS and old lanes
- ✓ Michelin Mi Xun teahouse plus a subterranean indoor pool
- ! Among the highest rates in our Chengdu list
- ! The entry-level Studio can feel tight to some guests for the price
- ✓ Chengdu's #1 hotel on Tripadvisor for years running
- ✓ Chunxi Road metro (Lines 2/3) just a ~5-minute walk away
- ✓ Calm in the heart of the city — like another world once the door closes
- ✓ Michelin-level restaurants on site, no need to go far
- ! Rates spike and rooms fill fast during Chinese holidays (few rooms)
- ! Quiet and private by design — not a tall, city-view landmark tower
- 💡If budget is a real constraint · Rates start at ¥2,000+/night and climb during Chinese holidays · Fix → see the Atour or JI Hotel Chunxi Road / Taikoo Li branches in our list — same area, far lighter on the wallet
- 💡If you want a large room or a high-rise city view · This place is about a low-rise courtyard, and the entry Studio isn't huge · Fix → look at Niccolo (atop IFS) or The Ritz-Carlton (Tianfu Square views) for bigger rooms and a view from on high
- 💡If you're travelling during Golden Week or Chinese New Year · There are only about 100 rooms; rates surge and sell out fast · Fix → book 2–3 months ahead and take a free-cancellation rate in case plans change