Amandayan, stay near a UNESCO heritage site in China

Amandayan, a resort in Lijiang, in the province of Yunnan, China opened just a few days ago. The design choices and materials used for the interior design of this resort respect the site’s nature and culture.



Amandayan is a hillside resort above the old town of Lijiang, UNESCO heritage site, whose urban layout is based on the principles of Feng Shui. At first it attracted lots of artists and backpackers, but now it has become an increasingly popular destination for nature lovers because of its proximity to the south-eastern stretch of the Himalayas, overlooked by Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, one of China’s most famous peaks.



In keeping with the philosophy of the Aman chain, based on respect for the environment and for the culture of the location, Amandayan consists of a group of courtyard villas embracing the traditional architectural style of the Nakhi, the indigenous people of this zone and one of the ethnic minorities recognised by the Chinese government.  The resort’s crowning glory is Wenchang Palace, dating back to 1725, which features hundred-year-old trees in its courtyard and ornate, colourful carvings and paintings on the buildings.





The 35 suites were all decorated with locally sourced and made materials and accessories. These include Yunnan pine from Shangri-La and stone floors that gently reference the mountains, in addition to the furniture crafted from elm felled in the Don Bei region. All of this gives it a contemporary yet unmistakeably Chinese style.





Amandayan therefore promises a retreat face-to-face with the breathtaking nature of south-eastern Himalayas as well as the opportunity of sustainable contact with the thousand-year Chinese culture of the Yunnan region.

(Christiane Bürklein)

Resort Amandayan
Lijiang, Yunnan, China
Year: 2015
Photography: Courtesy of Aman http://www.amanresorts.com/