The hotel is located one hour outside of Beijing, on the shores of Yanqi Lake as the name suggests, the architecture references the shape of the sun emerging above the horizon, while in profile, the structure is shaped like a scallop – a form that represents fortune in chinese culture. The design rises to a height of 97 meters, with the top of the building reflecting the sky’s ever-changing colors. The middle portion of the façade mirrors the surrounding mountain range, while the base of the hotel reflects the water’s surface. Opening in november 2014, construction took 24 months to complete, and despite the design’s all-glass exterior, the building should be able to withstand a level 8 earthquake.
