China, Revealed: An Extraordinary Journey with Aman
Photography provided by Aman Resorts
Some trips take you somewhere new, and then some journeys change the way you see a place entirely. Aman’s China’s UNESCO Treasures belongs firmly in the latter category.
The 12-night private jet expedition crosses China from Beijing to Shanghai, weaving together imperial history, extraordinary landscapes, and some of the country’s most compelling architecture. Rather than simply connecting destinations, the journey is designed around deeper access to the places and traditions that have shaped China for centuries. Traveling by private jet also allows guests to experience remarkably different regions within a single itinerary, while Aman properties provide a thoughtful sense of place along the way.
The experience begins in Beijing, where China’s imperial past comes into focus through landmarks including the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. From there, the private jet makes a stop in Xi’an, home of the Terracotta Warriors, before continuing to Hangzhou. Together, these first destinations reveal the extraordinary scale of China’s history, moving from imperial palaces and ancient fortifications to one of the world’s most significant archaeological discoveries.
In Hangzhou, guests stay at Amanfayun, a peaceful retreat near West Lake surrounded by tea plantations and monasteries. The property itself tells a story: Aman describes it as a restored village, with stone pathways and traditional buildings that offer a quiet counterpoint to the monumental sites encountered along the way. Here, the experience becomes more intimate, offering a glimpse of a quieter China shaped by nature, spirituality, and traditions that have endured for generations.
Next comes Lijiang, where Amandayan sits above the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Here, traditional architecture, Nakhi culture, and the dramatic landscapes of Yunnan take center stage. The journey then touches down in Zhangjiajie, known for the soaring sandstone formations of its celebrated national park. It is a striking transition from cultural heritage to natural wonder, revealing another side of China through landscapes that feel almost otherworldly in their scale and beauty.
The finale is Shanghai and Amanyangyun, perhaps the journey’s most fascinating example of architectural preservation. The retreat was created using centuries-old villas and camphor trees relocated from Jiangxi, with its Nan Shufang cultural center providing another window into Chinese heritage. Set within reach of one of China’s most dynamic modern cities, Amanyangyun creates an intriguing conversation between past and present, preserving pieces of history while introducing guests to contemporary Shanghai.
What makes this journey especially compelling is the contrast: ancient and contemporary, monumental and intimate, natural and architectural. Private jet travel makes the geography seamless, but Aman’s emphasis on place, culture, and storytelling gives the experience its depth. Each stop adds another layer to the story, creating a journey that feels less like a collection of destinations and more like a carefully composed portrait of China.
For travelers who have long wanted to understand China beyond its headline sights, this is an extraordinary way in. It offers the rare opportunity to experience several distinct sides of the country within one thoughtfully curated journey, with history, architecture, culture and landscape unfolding together along the way.
Guests of Huffman Travel enjoy extra VIP amenities when staying at Amanera, including:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily Continental breakfast for two guests per bedroom, served in restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi