Yangshuo Sugar House.

Set within a repurposed 1960s sugar mill, this resort is a masterclass in industrial preservation located along a dramatic bend of the Li River. Beijing-based Vector Architects maintained the rugged character of the original factory, housing the restaurant and the rum-focused 1969 Bar within the weathered masonry of the old pressing rooms. Even the spa is uniquely tucked inside a former molasses storage tank. While the 113 guest rooms are housed in contemporary concrete structures designed to mimic the texture of the surrounding karst mountains, the heart of the property remains the iconic outdoor swimming pool, framed by the old industrial loading truss. Guests can balance the history with high-energy activities like rock climbing on the limestone cliffs or riverside yoga and tai chi.