Aman Tri-Centre UNESCO China Experience: Shanghai, Lijiang & Hangzhou

10 days from £11,700 for 2025 per person

• Shanghai
• Lijiang
• Hangzhou

Allow yourself to be whisked away to three unique settings, each atmospherically evoking China’s illustrious and varied past. A serene camphor forest on the outskirts of Shanghai, a hilltop perch in an ancient southern-Chinese town, and a misty bamboo valley set amid verdant tea plantations. This tri-centre visit combines the signature luxury and style of Aman with the deep intrigue of China’s rich history. All three hotels sit either within or beside UNESCO World Heritage landscapes.

Start your tour with three nights at Amanyangyun, a remarkable retreat on the fringes of Shanghai. Set within a transplanted forest of thousand-year-old camphor trees and centred around painstakingly restored Ming and Qing dynasty courtyard villas, it offers an extraordinary sense of seclusion just a short journey from one of Asia’s most dynamic cities. Days here can be spent taking part in calligraphy or tea ceremonies, enjoying forest walks, or dipping into the vast Aman Spa with its hammam, hydrotherapy suites and indoor/outdoor pools. For those who wish to explore the city, central Shanghai is within easy reach; wander along the Bund, delve into contemporary art districts, or explore the lilong alleyways of the Old Town before returning to the hush of the forested retreat.

From Shanghai, fly direct to Lijiang in Yunnan Province. This stunningly landscaped town was once an important staging post on the ancient “Tea and Horse Road” that carried tea across Asia. At the centre of the picturesque, UNESCO-protected old town lies Lion Hill, and atop the hill stands Amandayan. Built in the traditional architectural style of the Naxi people, this haven of light, space, views and tranquillity captures the spirit of the region’s living history. Days unfold gently between wandering the cobbled lanes of Lijiang Old Town, tracing the waterways and wooden bridges, or exploring the snow-capped landscapes around Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. An afternoon trip to see Impression Lijiang, directed by Zhang Yimou and performed by hundreds of local villagers against the mountain backdrop, is a true highlight. Back at Amandayan, enjoy spa rituals, quiet courtyards and panoramic hilltop sunsets.

Your final stop is Amanfayun in Hangzhou, long celebrated in Chinese poetry as “Heaven on high and Hangzhou on Earth.” Here, ancient monasteries, mist-shrouded bamboo groves and tranquil tea terraces create a serene finale to your journey. Amanfayun has the authentic feel of a Ming-dynasty tea village; dark-wood villas, stone paths and rustic courtyards surrounded by whispering bamboo. Spend your days drifting through the classical gardens and waterways of West Lake, visiting secluded temples, or walking the emerald tea plantations that contour the surrounding hills. The retreat’s calm interiors, hidden spa and contemplative atmosphere make it the perfect refuge in which to enjoy your final spoiling nights before returning to the real world.

This luxury holiday is purely a suggested itinerary. It can be booked as it is or alternatively used as a starting point for creating your own ideal tailor made trip to China. If you'd like to see similar tours, take a look at our other Ultimate Luxury Villas Holidays or Honeymoons.

Travelling is like flirting with life. It's like saying, 'I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.
Lisa St. Aubin de Teran