THE HAMPTONS OF CHINA

This quiet town has undergone a renaissance to become one of China’s best—and most exclusive—escapes

Moganshan, just two-and-a-half hours west of Shanghai, is a locale of rejuvenated glory. In the early 20th century, the storied hamlet was a summer retreat for VIPS; roughly a decade ago, developers saw potential in reviving the area as a weekend getaway for China’s elite. It wasn’t until Christophe Peres arrived, however, that Moganshan truly sprang back to life. The French branding professional moved to China in 1999; these days, he works with Moganshan’s local government as an informal ambassador, helping to raise the town’s infrastructure to international standards. The jewels in all of Peres’ efforts—the Le Passage Mohkan Shan hotel and the exclusive La Residence private villa, both of which he co-owns with his wife, Pauline Lee—are as much a love letter to Moganshan as they are to Peres’ native France. While the hotel’s structure takes its inspiration from traditional Chinese roof tiles, the design itself evokes bucolic French chalets. The marriage of classical French design and Chinese heritage has always been in the blueprint for Le Passage, according to Peres. “I chose the name Le Passage because I want our guests to experience the passage of history through their stay,” he says. “We are reviving, cultivating and protecting the history of this region, while at the same time offering modern comforts.” With Peres’ help, Moganshan has transformed from a forgotten haven to a luxury escape, now sometimes referred to as the Hamptons of China. In both Le Passage and La Residence, the region’s past glories continue to resonate today. lepassagemoganshan.com.cn