A tea-village monastery valley, relocated Ming-era villas, and a hilltop over a UNESCO old town — China's three Amans, post–Summer Palace.
By Biirdee Travel. Updated 2026-06-10.
China's Aman map changed recently: Aman Summer Palace in Beijing — the courtyard hotel beside the imperial gardens — ceased operating as an Aman at the end of December 2025. That leaves three properties, all extraordinary and all outside the capital: Amanfayun in a temple valley west of Hangzhou, Amanyangyun on Shanghai's rural fringe, and Amandayan above Lijiang's old town in Yunnan. Aman's China Journey offer (six-plus nights across two or more of them) is built for exactly the route this guide describes.
Each property is a conservation story as much as a hotel — and that, more than location, is the reason to build a China trip around them. Portfolio context: the complete Aman list.
The natural route runs east to west over nine or ten nights. Start with three nights at Amanyangyun — Shanghai's energy by day, the camphor forest and antique-villa calm by night, with the KOCHA bamboo-forest spa the standout. High-speed rail (under an hour) then delivers Hangzhou and three nights at Amanfayun: West Lake at dawn, the Lingyin temple circuit on foot from your doorstep, tea-field walks in the village lanes. Fly west to Yunnan for the finale — three or four nights at Amandayan, using Lion Hill as the base for the old town, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and the villages toward Shangri-La.
Rates across the three generally open in the $600–1,200 per night band by season and category — gentler than Aman's beach flagships — which makes China one of the best-value multi-Aman journeys anywhere. The China Journey offer adds inter-property benefits on 6+ night combinations, and partner-channel perks stack on top; see how to book Aman hotels.
No — it ceased operating under the Aman brand on 30 December 2025. Aman's Chinese portfolio now comprises Amanfayun (Hangzhou), Amanyangyun (Shanghai), and Amandayan (Lijiang).
Amanfayun is the consensus jewel — a genuine village in a monastery valley, unlike any hotel in the country. Amanyangyun is the architectural marvel and the easiest to reach; Amandayan adds Yunnan's mountains and minority cultures.
Typically $600–1,200 per night depending on property, season, and category as of 2026 — among the most accessible rates in the brand. Multi-property China Journey bookings (6+ nights) carry additional benefits.
April–May and September–October across all three: Hangzhou's tea harvest and osmanthus seasons, mild Shanghai weather, and clear mountain skies in Lijiang. Avoid Golden Week (early October) for crowds.
Visas, rail and internal flights, guides in each city, and the China Journey offer applied across all three properties — Biirdee handles the full route with partner benefits.