The resort hotel, serving as a BIM training project, is situated in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, nestled between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake—an area renowned for its rare natural landscapes. Developed by Yunnan Power Group and managed by Hilton Hotels, the project is a collaborative effort between CCDI and WATG.
Located at an elevation of 2,121 meters above sea level, the resort spans approximately 85,000 square meters with a total constructed area nearing 90,000 square meters. The complex includes a main hotel building, 11 villas, and features five above-ground floors and four underground levels. The hotel guest room area reaches up to nine floors, with the building’s highest point standing at 32 meters.
Dali City is predominantly inhabited by the Bai ethnic minority, which makes up more than 65% of the local population. As the first international five-star resort hotel in Dali, the Hilton is ideally located near the Cangshan Geological Park. It is perched halfway up the mountain within the distinctive architectural complex characteristic of the ancient Nanzhao kingdom and the Bai culture.
To enhance the hotel’s privacy and exclusivity, the access road winds between the main building and Cangshan Mountain on the west side. The landscape’s main axis runs west to east, seamlessly connecting buildings, plazas, shaded pathways, greenery, and ornamental features. This axis gradually extends outward as a pedestrian walkway leading to Erhai Lake, allowing each building to occupy its own unique space nestled within the mountains and forests.
Using BIM for full-process management, designers moved beyond traditional drawing methods, gaining greater control over concept development and integration. The two wings extending toward Erhai Lake house the guest rooms, while the atrium facing Cangshan serves as the hotel’s functional area.
The design draws inspiration from the spatial layouts of traditional Bai ethnic homes, incorporating elements such as “one square with two ears,” “two bedrooms with one ear,” “four-in-five courtyards,” and “walking horse corner buildings.” A sloping wall at the top of the site features two perpendicular buildings, connected by a smaller ear-shaped room at their intersection. Upper-level corridors link all structures, descending from Cangshan Mountain and gradually unfolding to create a sense of transparency and cohesion.
The BIM learning lobby inside the atrium is bright, spacious, and welcoming. To reflect the warm hospitality of the Bai people, the lounge area features a distinctive decorative fireplace that warmly greets visitors. The lobby’s ceiling is adorned with carefully crafted tile eaves, lintels, floral patterns, and auspicious cloud motifs—each detail rich in ethnic character.
Through this project, the hotel aims to collaborate with surrounding local businesses to foster social development in the region.
The hotel’s prime feature is a spacious outdoor terrace, offering breathtaking views of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. From this vantage point, the traditional white-walled, black-tiled Bai dwellings blend harmoniously with the lush green mountains and forests, creating a paradise-like atmosphere.
For leisure, the hotel provides a variety of amenities including bars, swimming pools, fitness centers, and spa facilities. Additionally, versatile meeting spaces and open courtyards make perfect venues for product launches, business conferences, social events, and weddings.
The hotel offers 386 guest rooms on both sides of the main building, each with a private balcony and expansive views. The room design follows Hilton’s signature style—simple, clean, and uncluttered, avoiding excessive decoration or color. Waking up to the first rays of sunlight over Erhai Lake is one of the most memorable experiences Hilton Dali offers.
The hotel’s exterior combines locally sourced stone materials with decorative elements inspired by traditional Bai ethnic patterns. The wooden roofs paired with metal panels provide both functionality and a rustic, welcoming atmosphere. The design harmonizes beautifully with the natural surroundings, evoking a poetic charm.
Exterior walls are predominantly painted white with lime on the upper portions and fine mud finishes below. Interior walls showcase colorful, three-dimensional patterns crafted from raised blue bricks or marble inlays featuring natural landscape motifs, contributing to a fresh and elegant ambiance.
Although the project features no curved structures, it is situated in a mountainous area with complex terrain and a large building volume. To withstand the strong prevailing westerly winds throughout the year, the main building is oriented from west to east, with doors and windows opening on the east side. This design allows wind to flow behind the building, reducing its intrusion inside.
The site has a significant catchment area and elevation difference with the adjacent mountain block. To prevent damage from mountain torrents during heavy rains, flood drainage ditches are installed along the site boundary. Additionally, landscaping with fire-resistant plants and road boundaries act as firebreaks, safeguarding the site against wildfires.
Design Drawings:
▲ General Layout Plan
▲ Plan View
▲ First Floor Plan
▲ Second Floor Plan
▲ Fifth Floor Plan
▲ Central Building – Northeast Facade
▲ Overall Facade
▲ Section View
▲ Local Facade & Section
▲ Detail Image
▲ Elevation
▲ Color Scheme
▲ Material Selection
Project Information:
Project Name: Dali Hilton Five Star Resort Hotel
Location: Dali Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
Developer: Yunnan Power Group
Architectural Design: CCDI + WATG
Design/Completion: 2012 / 2017
Land Area: 85,000 square meters
Total Construction Area: 113,000 square meters
Building Height: 32 meters
Guest Rooms: 386 (hotel) + 18 (villas)
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