From October 13 to 21, 2025, PandaJourney Shanghai 2025, organized by PandaJourney Limited, concluded successfully in Shanghai.

The week-long summit brought together nearly 30 luxury travel advisors and media from Europe, North America, and Asia, alongside China’s leading hotel groups and destination brands, to explore new possibilities for the country’s luxury inbound travel market.

Figure 1 Attendees Gathering at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

As China’s first international B2B summit dedicated exclusively to luxury inbound tourism, PandaJourney was founded with a clear mission — to invite the world to hear China’s story. Through immersive experiences and meaningful exchanges, the event redefined how the global travel trade perceives and connects with China’s hospitality industry.

The summit opened with an elegant cocktail evening hosted by Swire Hotels at Upper House Shanghai (formerly The Middle House by Swire Hotels), an urban sanctuary renowned for its contemporary interpretation of oriental aesthetics. Guests mingled over champagne and modern Chinese canapés, enjoying a night that blended art, culture, and conversation.
The House Collective is celebrated for its independent spirit and personalized approach, echoing PandaJourney’s own philosophy of “human-centered luxury travel.” The collaboration set the tone for an inspiring week of connection and creativity.

Figure 2 Swire Hotels Team

Figure 3 Buyers at the Opening Cocktail

Figure 4 Exhibitors at the Opening Cocktail

Figure 5 Buyers and Exhibitors at the Opening Cocktail

Over the next two days, back-to-back business meetings were held at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund and The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, where hundreds of one-on-one and small-group appointments took place between international advisors and Chinese luxury suppliers.

The Waldorf’s grand Shanghai Club Ballroom provided a classic setting for brand showcases and strategic conversations, while the Flair Bar at the Ritz-Carlton offered a breathtaking skyline backdrop — perfectly merging business with experience.

Figure 6 Scheduled Appointments at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund

Figure 7 US Buyers and Exhibitors

Figure 8 Scheduled Appointments at the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

Figure 9 Themed Coffee Break at the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong

This “curated meeting” approach, combining precision networking with immersive environments, embodied PandaJourney’s innovative event design philosophy.

Throughout the program, partner hotels including The St. Regis Shanghai on the Bund, Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li, Alila Shanghai, Park Hyatt Shanghai, J Hotel Shanghai Tower, and The Ritz-Carlton Pudong hosted themed luncheons and site inspections.
Each property showcased its distinctive identity — from St. Regis’ signature butler service and Capella’s Shikumen heritage to Alila’s nature-inspired modernism — together painting a diverse picture of China’s new-generation luxury hospitality.

Figure 10 Buyers attending Luncheon Visit at the St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai

For many guests, these encounters revealed the creativity and sophistication that define Chinese service culture today.

Beyond business, PandaJourney highlighted the emotional and cultural essence of travel through immersive experiences.
An evening at Qushui Lanting Resort & Spa, an official partner and sponsor, offered international guests a glimpse into the refined art of Chinese wellness.
Operated by Xiang Shang Hui Group, Qushui Lanting champions the concept of the “urban micro-vacation,” blending classical oriental aesthetics with contemporary design. Frequently hailed as “the pinnacle of Shanghai’s bathing culture,”the property integrates private onsen-style pools, aromatherapy, tea rituals, and gourmet wellness dining into a serene, sensory experience.

Figure 11Buyers at the Qushui Lanting Shanghai

Figure 12 Trying out the home-made yogurt at Qushui Lanting

Figure 13 Private Seafood Hotpot Banquet at Qushui Lanting

Guests described the evening as one of the most authentic reflections of Chinese lifestyle luxury — a perfect balance of health, artistry, and elegance.

Another group joined Lost Plate’s Shanghai Street Food Tour, discovering the city’s vibrant street flavors and urban stories that reflect its dynamic soul.

Figure 14  Buyers at the Lost Plate Food Tour

The grand finale, Panda Day, took place at Amanyangyun Shanghai. Moderated by Jeninne Lee-St. John, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau, the event opened with a high-level roundtable discussion themed “What Changes and What Remains in China’s Luxury Hospitality.”
Speakers included Brian Tong, Area General Manager for Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts (Greater China & Mongolia); Olivier Dumonceaux, General Manager of The Middle House; and Ronan Henaff, General Manager of Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li.

Figure 15 PandaDay Luxury GM Roundtable Forum

Two masterclasses followed: Designing Inbound China Itineraries by Jenny Zhao (Beshan Travel) and Value Anchors of China’s Luxury Hotels by Violet Jin (Horwath HTL China). The program concluded with an elegant Italian garden dinner and fireworks celebration, symbolizing both closure and a new beginning for China’s luxury inbound travel dialogue.

Figure 16《中国奢华酒店的价值创造锚点》

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Figure 18

After the main summit, selected international advisors embarked on familiarization journeys to other Chinese destinations, including Suzhou and Shanxi, deepening their understanding of the country’s culture, landscapes, and regional hospitality.
These post-event journeys extended PandaJourney’s ethos of learning through experience, enabling participants to engage with the living, breathing stories behind China’s destinations.

Founded in 2024 by Wilson Chen (widely known in the industry as “Mr. Panda”) and Simon Yan, PandaJourney aspires to build a world-class platform for luxury inbound travel, connecting global travel professionals with China’s finest hotels and cultural brands.
Following the success of its inaugural edition in Shanghai, PandaJourney will return with PandaJourney Beijing 2026 (Spring), followed by PandaJourney Shanghai 2026 (Autumn) and PandaJourney Greater Bay Area 2027, continuing its mission to invite the world to hear China’s story.

Figure 19 Wilson Chen（Right）and Simon Yan (Left)