Thai hospitality giant Dusit Hotels and Resorts has opened its first property in China’s Sichuan Province, marking a strategic push into one of the country’s fastest-growing domestic tourism markets.
Located within the Tianfu Agricultural Expo Park in Xinjin, the newly launched Dusit Hotel AG Park, Chengdu, brings Thai-style luxury to a destination better known for ecological tourism and rural revitalisation.
The 241-room hotel is Dusit’s eighth in China, but its first in the southwest — a region often overlooked by international hotel chains despite its growing connectivity and environmental appeal.
The property is set against a backdrop of tea gardens and organic farms, just 30 minutes from downtown Chengdu and within reach of both the international airport and high-speed rail links.
Speaking at the grand opening on 10 June, Luke Lu, the hotel’s general manager, said the property “embodies Dusit’s commitment to gracious hospitality rooted in Thai values, while embracing the cultural richness and natural beauty of Sichuan,” offering guests an opportunity to “reconnect with nature, experience local traditions, and enjoy meaningful moments with family.”
While many international hotel groups are expanding into China’s megacities, Dusit’s move to Chengdu signals a shift towards second-tier urban centres with growing appeal among middle-class travellers and regional investors. The choice of an agricultural expo zone as a hospitality destination is also noteworthy, aligning with China’s broader push for eco-tourism and rural economic development.
Facilities include three restaurants, a conference hall, wellness amenities, and a children’s club. But the hotel is also positioning itself as an experience-led destination, offering guided nature walks, hands-on craft workshops, and educational visits to the Tianfu Agricultural Expo Main Pavilion. The surrounding Rural Revitalisation Demonstration Zone – a government-backed project – provides further appeal for guests seeking more than a conventional city break.
To entice early visitors, Dusit is running a Thai Food Festival until 30 June, featuring guest chefs from its regional properties, including Chef Vorapoj ‘Christian’ Caluwaert, assistant director of culinary at Dusit International, and Chef Watcharapon ‘Ja’ Yongbanthom, head chef of Benjarong Restaurant at Dusit Thani Manila. Signature dishes like tom yum goong (spicy prawn soup), pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles), mango sticky rice, and more are on the à la carte menu from Sundays to Fridays, with Saturday dinner buffets priced at CNY188 per person.
A limited-time “Dusit Experience” stay package – including museum access for two adults and one child at the Tianfu Agricultural Museum, daily breakfast for two, and in-room perks – is available through 31 August with rates starting at CNY799.
Founded in Bangkok in 1948, Dusit International has been expanding its global footprint with a mix of hotels, branded residences, and lifestyle offerings. The Chengdu opening is part of its strategy to deepen presence in key regional corridors across Asia — a move that reflects broader trends among South East Asian hospitality brands looking beyond their own borders.
The company’s latest foray suggests that as China’s domestic travel market matures, international brands will need to adapt — not just by offering luxury, but by aligning with local policy goals, from sustainability to rural regeneration. 