Aman at Summer Palace, which opened in fall 2008, is located just outside the east gate of the palace, and meticulously designed to harmonize with the graceful architecture of the former retreat of China's emperors. A series of century-old guesthouses, built for guests awaiting an audience with Empress Dowager Cixi, have been transformed into a hotel with 18 rooms and 25 suites. With their trademark sensitivity to historic properties, Aman has decorated the interiors with period furniture and rich fabrics that evoke the grandeur of the palace itself. There are three restaurants: The Grill; The Chinese Restaurant, which has an elegant Ming Dynasty interior; and Naoki, helmed by chef Naoki Okamura and specializing in his trademark "French Kaiseki", which combines the best of French haute cuisine with Japanese artistry. Other amenities include a bar, a library, and the Aman Club — a spa and fitness-center complex including a large pool, located underground to preserve the harmonious aesthetic of the architecture. The Aman is a 45-minute drive from central Beijing and a 45-minute drive from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).

The Aman Group’s 28th resort in their ever-expanding portfolio of luxurious accommodation just happens to be one of their most impressive to date, spread over a hectare of land on a hill perched above the Old City of Lijiang - a World Heritage Site. The quaint winding lanes of the town below are an image of classic China, and the breathtaking luscious green mountains and snow-capped peaks provide the perfect backdrop. The hotel itself is relatively small; with only 35 suites the resort is kept quiet and peaceful, just like the surrounding countryside and historic town below. Even the smallest of accomondation options here start at close to 800 square feet, and Yunnan pine wood from Shangri-La is used throughout to create an inviting, cozy log-cabin feel. Modern conveniences are in ample supply too, both inside the range of rooms and throughout the rest of the resort. Guests can find no less than three superb dining options including a signature Chinese restaurant, as well as a luxurious spa, an on-site cinema and an impressive indoor heated swimming pool – difficult to resist jumping in after a day of sightseeing in Lijiang.  

Opened in Spring 2010, the Amanfayun is the second Aman property to open in China and is situated in the outskirts of Hangzhou, surrounded by tea fields, natural forest, quaint villages and a pilgrimage circuit of five significant Buddhist temples. All accommodations and common areas have broadband Internet connectivity and are decorated with calligraphy and woven bamboo accents. There are four restaurants, which serve a variety of dishes, from homemade dumplings in the casual Steam House to refined Western cuisine in The Restaurant. Aman’s legendary spa service is also available here; the spa consists of eight treatment rooms, a reflexology room, a fitness center, a room dedicated to tai chi, yoga and meditation, and a finishing salon. Amanfayun is a mere 20-minute drive from the city center and 50 minutes from the Hangzhou airport (HGH).

Past and present Chinese traditions alike come together against a backdrop of verdant camphor trees at the Amanyangyun Luxury Resort and Hotel in Shanghai. Transported to Shanghai from rural Fuzhou across more than 700 kilometers, the trees are a notable piece of China’s past that have been preserved alongside the newly refurbished villas of the resort in an ambitious feat of architectural and ecological conservation. Featuring a variety of suites, pavilions, and villas, Amanyangyun guests will note a sense of harmony between the structural, man-made environment and the natural ponds and gardens of the surrounding courtyards and forest. More than just a cultural experience, however, Amanyangyun stands out in its multifaceted approach to dining and wellness while also offering an array of event spaces and a 200-seat banquet hall. Amanyangyun in Shanghai is a perfect choice for guests looking to stimulate all their senses, as “yangyun,” meaning “nourishing cloud,” is a Chinese nod to expanding the mind’s “cloud” of knowledge through experience.

A burgeoning center of ecotourism in China, the “Forest City” of Guiyang is a lush backdrop for the Anantara Guiyang resort. The capital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang’s abundance of natural phenomena such as lakes, caves, rivers, and waterfalls beckon those with an affinity for exploration. Resort accommodations include 218 rooms, suites, and pool villas, all of which are inspired by the Chinese “yin and yang” concept of culture and nature. Guests at the Anantara Guiyang may also choose to venture out and explore the city’s cultural and historical landmarks like the renowned garrison town of Qingyan — famed for its immaculate stone architecture — and the waterfalls at Huangguoshu, which are among the largest and most scenic in East Asia. After a day of sightseeing, the luxurious Anantara Spa awaits those wanting to indulge in a signature massage or green tea purification treatment.

Nestled in the spectacular, surreal forests of China’s southwestern Yunnan Province, Anantara Xishuangbanna offers first-class comfort and five-star luxury in one of China’s most remote areas. Anantara offers a series of charming villas and guestrooms, all of which feature immaculate bathrooms, plush beds, floor-to-ceiling windows (some with views of the pool, others with views of the gardens and the nearby Luosuo River), dark, wooden furniture, Internet access, mini bar, air-conditioning, and a flat-screen television with satellite channels. In-house restaurants include Manfeilong, an all-day eatery serving breakfast buffets, and Chinese and Western a la carte dishes; Mekong, which offers Thai/Dai and Chinese cuisines; Dai Lounge, a tea and snack space; and Luosuo, a poolside grill. Amenities include a comprehensive spa offering a wide range of treatments, baths, and rooms; a cooking school with lessons in Southeast Asian, Thai, and Chinese cuisines; a central swimming pool, an insightful tea program that immerses guests in the subtleties of tea; and a club for younger guests. The Anantara Xishuangbanna is a scenic, 45-minute drive from Jinghong International Airport.

Located within China’s first and only wetland preserve, the Xixi National Wetland Park, Banyan Tree Hangzhou is just 15 minutes from downtown and the famous West Lake. The resort’s 72 suites and villas are decorated in the traditional Jiangnan style, with dark wood, delicate carved furnishings, and hand-painted silk brocades and embroidered tapestries. All of the suites and villas in the hotel are themed according to the four seasons, with color schemes to match, and include heated floors and wi-fi. For dining, choose between Waterlight Court, an all-day restaurant serving international favorites, or Bai Yun, a grand dining hall offering Cantonese dim sum and delicate, flavorful Hangzhou cuisine. Guests can also relax at Bai Yun’s tea lounge, where they can opt to taste and learn about the famed Longjing green tea picked from the hills of Hanghou; another option is Jiu Xian, a sumptuous bar decorated in reds and blacks. Wellness facilities include a swimming pool, beauty salon, Oriental bath, gymnasium, yoga studio, and 10 indoor spa pavilions that feature Banyan Tree’s signature spa treatments. For business needs, the hotel offers well-equipped, divisible conference rooms and a function and meeting hall. The hotel is a 50-minute drive from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.

Banyan Tree Lijiang sits just south of the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with 55 deluxe mountain-view villas. The hotel is constructed in the regional Naxi style of architecture with its distinct rooflines and courtyards. Each villa is decorated in contemporary Naxi style and has a heated pool, jet pool and Internet connection. The Bai Yun Restaurant serves Chinese Cantonese banquet style meals with local musical accompaniment. Asian and Western-style cuisine are offered in a choice of indoor and outdoor settings at the Ming Yue Restaurant. The Spa offers treatments featuring Asian healing and relaxation techniques as well as European rejuvenation therapies. There is a business center with fax and Internet services, a fitness center, yoga room, and tennis court. The Banyan Tree Lijiang is an approximately 40-minute drive from Lijiang Airport (LJG).

Banyan Tree Ringha is in China’s Yunnan province, in a mountainous area that has been officially designated “Shangri-La” by the Chinese government and is part of Greater Tibet, both historically and culturally. The architecture reflects the local Tibetan culture: the 32 spacious lodges and suites are traditional Tibetan farmhouses with intricate woodcarvings, enormous pine pillars, smoky fireplaces and wooden balconies that have valley or river views. There are three restaurants to choose from: Llamo, which serves Chinese and Western dishes, Chang Sa, for Tibetan specialties, and Jakhang, a cozy teahouse with a large fireplace and an encyclopedic collection of teas. The Ringha has a divine Banyan Tree spa and a business center, but no fitness center or pool. The Shangri-La Airport (DIG) is a half-hour drive from the hotel.

On the banks of the River Li, nestled in a valley surrounded by lushly verdant mountains, Yangshuo is a must-see destination for nature lovers and those seeking a respite from the fast pace of life. Active visitors will enjoy the range of outward-bound activities available in Yangshuo, including rafting and world class rock climbing. And what better place from which to explore the stunning scenery than the Banyan Tree? In the elegant one- or two-bedroom villas overlooking the tranquil gardens or the peaceful lake, the ancient Orient meets modern comfort. Gastronomic delights are served at Baiyun, where diners can enjoy a range of Guangxi and Canton dishes. Meanwhile, the sumptuous international buffet at Ming Yue is sure to whet appetites. Guests can enjoy refreshing cocktails and exquisite snacks at sunset at the poolside bar or relax with a coffee or glass of wine in the lobby lounge. Recreation options on site include the glittering outdoor swimming pool, a fully-equipped gym with yoga studio, a cosy library and games room and a peaceful spa with a number of treatment rooms.