By LAWRENCE TAN

The name may conjure images of snow-capped peaks, Everest and mountain climbing but the Himalayas Center is neither a base camp in the Himalayas nor is it remotely related to mountains.

Instead, the Center represents a RMB2.4 billion mixed-use development in Shanghai’s Pudong district that its developers, the Zendai Group, say would be an ‘archisculptural icon for 21st century China’.

Designed by architect Arata Isozaki, the Center will house a theater, a 1,600-seater auditorium, an art museum, a shopping mall (called the Himalayas Mall), office space, and two luxury hotels in a dedicated hotel towel.

The two hotels are the boutique-style Zendai Hotel Yin and Zendai Art Hotel, both designed by celebrated interior designer Khuan Chew of KCA Interntional, who has worked on Dubai’s 7-star Burj al Arab.

A prominent feature of both hotels is the incorporation of traditional Chinese design and elements, drawing inspiration from Chinese art and culture, which are scheduled for completion in spring 2010, in time for the Shanghai World Expo.

"Both hotels will be a showcase for modern China and will pioneer the fusion of Chinese art and culture with modern hospitality at the very highest level," says Mr. Dai Zhikang, Chairman and CEO of the Zendai Group.